Some self promotion by a unique American businessman.:
I have worked in retail and competed with Wal Mart. Although I don't shop at Wal Mart often, Sam Walton's story is a unique American story of a man that went from poverty to wealth. His stores have always been competitive with most of the other discount stores in our area. This book is the story of his rise to success through the discount store concept. This book is written in Sam's folksy style. He explains his concepts on management and business through this book. Sam shows his workaholic style created a unique American corporation. I doubt few companies expect as much as Wal Mart. Long hours, weekend work, and holidays are expected. I wonder how much time Sam spent with his family during this time when Wal Mart expanded. The respect for the value of a dollar, small town America, and work all resonate in this book. There are some things I don't completely agree with. Unions have protected the working people in this country, but Sam has strongly resisted there representation in his stores. Sam's associates are for the most part low paid workers struggling to get by. Perhaps some have made it rich, but most haven't. This is a unique story of one man's success in the discount store business. Walton revolutionized this industry. His ideas created value to both shoppers, shareholders, and stakeholders.
Should be named "Made in China":
Wal-mart is responsible for the destruction of 1,000s of retailers and many well known American manufacturers all in the name of low prices. If you read this book, you should also read "The Wal-Mart Effect". I guess there is good and bad in everything!
Sam Walton my Hero!:
This book is an inspiring all-american success story of Sam Walton and his global Wal-mart empire. Sam chronicles his days as a small town merchant all the way to when the company did $45 billion dollars in the early 90's with testimnoials and insights by wal-mart associates, family and friends. Sam is brilliant yet modest and this makes this book a really good read. I expected to read a different story but ended up uncovering the tale of a man who refused to stop ever thinking of the customer. His obsession with keeping the customer happy is the secret and the means are eye-opening. Overall this book is one of the important business books I've read. It has inspired me in so many ways. Retail the walmart way is cruel yet fascinating!
MADE IN CHINA:
Sam Walton was one of the worst things to happen to America. It's a monopoly. It destroys communities.
Inspiring Book for All Start Up Entrepreneurs:
I am a fan of biographies of successful business entrepreneurs. This book is one of the better ones in the market. I would highly recommend it for any aspiring entrepreneur who needs a little bit of inspiration. I particularly liked the first three-quarters of the book which documents how Sam Walton started and scaled his business to the empire it is today. However, the end portion of the book gets a bit too repetitive at times and sounds like Sam's running out of things to say.
| Author: | Sam Walton | | Binding: | Mass Market Paperback | | Dewey Decimal Number: | 381.149092 | | EAN: | 9780553562835 | | ISBN: | 0553562835 | | Number Of Pages: | 368 | | Publication Date: | 1993-06-01 | | Release Date: | 1993-06-01 |
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