Sarah Bosch continues her reviews this week with Don Soderquist’s The Wal-Mart Way.
Wal-Mart is one of the most notorious companies today. Loved or hated, admired or feared, the Wal-Mart Way is an interesting look at Sam Walton (the man who started it all) and the basic principles and determination of one of the world’s most well known companies.
There’s a lot to be learned from the story of Wal-Mart. In contrast to other books written about their success, The Wal-Mart Way gives us an inside look through someone who has been strongly involved in the company for decades. Don Soderquist shares his story of helping lead a global company that would eventually be worth over $200 billion.
By living Wal-Mart’s core principles and beliefs, and through a lot of hard work, Soderquist candidly shares how he helped to earn Wal-Mart the top spot on the Fortune 500 list maintaining the company’s unique beliefs and management style.
I have more admiration for Wal-Mart after reading this book. One of the reasons for this is due to the 12 core principles on which the company was built. Soderquist explains 12 reasons behind the success of Wal-Mart. These include a commitment to the community and the vision of Sam Walton that was miraculously upheld. Using anecdotes and examples, Soderquist helps to explain how each principle has worked to the advantage of the company. At the end of each chapter there are questions and an opportunity to apply these points to our business lives. Quotes from famous historical figures and businesspeople as well as facts about Wal-Mart are dispersed throughout and offer additional information and entertainment.
I was fascinated to learn that it was never one of Sam Walton’s goals to build a big company. He was much more concerned with creating a great experience for customers in small cities and towns. Through treating the customer like the boss, they were able to feel that Wal-Mart was working for them rather than selling to them, an innovative and ultimately profitable vision. Another highlight of the book for me was Soderquist’s defense of the manufacturing of Chinese-made goods by explaining how global supply chain strategies work.s
I finished this book looking differently at the vision of Wal-Mart’s business plan. I also found it refreshing that the Wal-Mart corporation has managed to maintain a business strategy true to its founder even after all these years. I recommend this book to anyone that has questioned Wal-Mart’s business practice or hopes to learn from their successes.
prairiedog on April 12th, 2006 at 10:46 am
You are insane. Walmart is small business killer and doesn’t seem to care one bit about benefits for its employees.
They also choke development of products because items have to pass “Walmart muster” for packaging and price point before Walmart (and, therefore, anyone else) will sell the product.
If that’s Sam Walton’s vision, he can keep it in his grave.
Who cares how much Walmart is worth. Their stores are ugly and they don’t treat their employees well.
“…concerned with creating a great experience for customers in small cities and towns.”???? Please, Walmart has helped destroy the downtown districts of (nearly) countless small towns. Don’t you read the papers?
Your review is rather naive.
Bob on April 12th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
Yeah, sounds like you drank the kool aid.
Wal-Mart’s business practices are well known. They can parade that “serving the small town” banner as long as they want. The real mantra is extending employees. Keep everyone on part-time to refuse them benefits. Management on salary expects about an 80 hr work week. If you’re an illegal and I can hire you for pennies, even better.