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Most successful individuals seem to have found a lottery ticket and then fabricated a story to make their luck appear as skill. However, for some, it is evident that regardless of their starting point, they would ascend to the top. Sam Walton belongs to the latter category.

Despite the down-to-earth tone and folksy self-narrated drawl, "Made in America" is not a modest book. Sam Walton describes his childhood, such as obtaining the eagle scout at 13 to win a bet and being the high school football quarterback. He states, "We went undefeated and won the state championship."

The most crucial takeaway from this book is how to learn in business. Learning is an omnichannel and constant struggle, and it is an area where Walton excels. To start his first store, he says, "I went to the library there and checked out every book on retailing." As America became more industrialized and packaged, Walton did not complacently ride the wave of his Ben Franklin variety stores. He discovered the philosophy that set Wal-Mart apart in a competitor. He remarks, "I started running all over the country studying the concepts. Then so and such started a store with a simple philosophy: buy it low, stack it high, sell it cheap." Wal-Mart rode a wave of change in the retail industry. Without the curiosity of its founder, the inevitable changes would have created just another small town operator like his grandfather.

As we all know, Wal-Mart did not get steamrolled; it was the steamroller. Not until Amazon emerged was there a company capable of effectively competing with the machine that is Wal-Mart. I was surprised by the number of cultural attributes shared between Wal-Mart and Meta, companies of different generations, industries, and business models.

1. Value talent and strive to find solutions that work for employees in the long term.

2. Allow for experimentation at the local level, but strive to build infrastructure to propagate information as quickly and transparently as possible. If speed and accuracy are at odds, choose speed.

He gives an example: "If you can't make your books balance, you take the difference and put it under the heading ESP, which stands for 'error someplace'. Then we would get the P&L out to the store manager as quickly as we could."

3. Don't be proud about innovation. If you find innovation elsewhere, use it.

He shares, "I read an article about Ben Franklin stores that went self-service. No clerks around the store, just checkout registers up front. I liked it, so I did that too."

As expected, Walton dismisses the externalities created by his company and narratives about him in a casual manner. If you want to understand the effect of big-box retail on the American service class, look elsewhere. But if you want to understand how to create a winning business starting from almost nothing, this is the first book I would recommend. And of course, Walton agrees: "One of the reasons I'm writing this book is so that my children and great-grandchildren will read it and know this: if you start [selling stock to live high], or any of that foolishness, I'll come back and haunt you."


109th book of 2022

(1): See Built From Scratch (Home Depot), In-n-out Burger, Empire of Pain (Sackler Dynasty), just among books I’ve read this year.

It is truly an interesting read. Sam Walton was an outstanding businessman with a plethora of valuable insights and teachings. The growth that Walmart has experienced in the decades following his passing has been nothing short of explosive. However, I firmly believe that if he were still alive today, he would be deeply distraught. This is because his beloved company has, to some extent or perhaps even entirely, abandoned many of the founding principles that he held so dear. These principles were the very foundation upon which Walmart was built and had contributed significantly to its initial success. It is a pity to see that in the pursuit of further expansion and profit, some of these essential values have been overlooked or sacrificed.

What an amazing personality he has!!

I am truly glad and fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about his remarkable business journey.

His story is one that is filled with challenges, determination, and ultimately, great success.

As I delved into his experiences, I was inspired by his unwavering commitment to his goals and his ability to overcome obstacles that would have deterred many others.

His business acumen and strategic thinking are truly remarkable, and I have no doubt that he will continue to achieve great things in the future.

Known for his innovative ideas and bold moves, he has made a significant impact in his industry.

His journey serves as a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and a unique personality, anything is possible.

I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next and continue to be inspired by his story.

This year, I haven't been reading as much as I usually do. However, I have been spending my time catching up on cataloguing my interior. It's a process that requires patience and attention to detail. I'm carefully going through all my belongings, organizing them, and giving them a proper place.

In addition to that, I'm also focusing on my biblio-vitals. These are the books that have had a significant impact on my life and have shaped my thinking. I'm taking the time to re-read them and reflect on their teachings.

Finally, I'm slowly but surely offloading my logo-consciousness. I used to be very concerned about brand names and labels, but now I realize that they don't really matter. What's important is the quality and functionality of the items I own. By reducing my attachment to logos, I'm able to focus on what truly matters and live a more meaningful life.

I think this book was truly so insightful.

Sam's mindset regarding his associates is really interesting. He seems to have a unique perspective on how to manage and interact with them, which makes one stop and think.

The pressure placed on managers is also a significant aspect explored in the book. It shows the challenges they face and how they have to constantly balance various factors to be successful.

Moreover, the obsession with the customer is thought-provoking. It emphasizes the importance of always putting the customer first and understanding their needs and wants.

Definitely, I would highly recommend this book to those people in sales or in business. It offers valuable lessons and ideas that can help them improve their performance and achieve better results.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, this book has something to offer. It can开阔your视野 and give you a new perspective on how to approach your work.

So, if you are looking for a book that can inspire and educate you, this one is definitely worth checking out.

The Dawgs, the backs, and the planes - these are the elements that make up an exciting and unique story.

The Dawgs, perhaps a group of loyal and fierce animals, are known for their tenacity and strength. They could be wild dogs roaming the plains or a team of trained canines with a specific purpose.

The backs refer to something that provides support or a foundation. It could be the backs of hardworking individuals, carrying the weight of a task or responsibility. Or perhaps it's the backs of vehicles, transporting goods or people from one place to another.

And then there are the planes, soaring through the sky, representing freedom and the ability to reach great distances. Planes can take us to far-off destinations, connect us with different cultures, and open up new opportunities.

Together, the Dawgs, the backs, and the planes create a vivid and dynamic image, full of potential and adventure.

A manuscript on how to run a store, outpace competitors, and serve customers. Sam Walton reveals it all in this astonishing all-American success saga!

It also showcases the might of the free market and free enterprise system in America. As the operators of Wal-Mart adhered to the ethos of customer satisfaction and low prices daily, they saved consumers billions of dollars. It's truly a wonderful facet of capitalism.

This book serves as a brilliant guide, aiding one in understanding the principles underlying one of the world's most talented retailers, a remarkable company, and the entire retail industry. It offers invaluable insights into the strategies and values that have made Wal-Mart so successful. By following these principles, one can strive to achieve similar heights in the business world and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the economy.

I truly relished this book.

It provided me with a wealth of knowledge regarding business founding. I gained insights into the crucial aspects that one needs to consider when embarking on the journey of starting a business.

The book also delved into the importance of having the right mindsets. It emphasized how a positive and determined mindset can make a significant difference in achieving success.

Moreover, it shed light on the concept of giving. It taught me that giving back to society or within the business context can bring numerous benefits, not only to others but also to oneself.

Finally, the book stressed the significance of staying focused. In a world filled with distractions, it is essential to maintain concentration on the goals and objectives at hand.

Overall, this book has been an invaluable source of learning and inspiration for me.

One of the best business books I have had the good fortune to read. It was truly captivating, and the story unfolded through Sam Walton's perspective. The inspiration and excitement of his journey can inspire anyone, as seen in his account of continuous improvement (kaizen).

The book is filled with valuable chapter notes. In Chapter 1, we learn about the importance of hard work and the need to control overhead expenses to stay on a restricted budget. Walmart exists to provide value to the customer, which means saving them money while delivering quality and service.

Chapter 2 emphasizes the importance of ambition, drive, and setting high personal goals. It also warns against exercising one's ego in public and highlights the need to have a bias towards action.

In Chapter 3, we see the importance of innovation, experimentation, and expansion. Sam Walton spent 22 years innovating and expanding before opening the first world-renowned Walmart in 1962.

Chapter 4 reveals one of the secrets of Walmart's success - having to swim upstream for so long. This means being out front, doing things right, and not being afraid to take risks.

The following chapters cover various aspects of running a successful business, such as recruiting the right team, taking the company public, rolling out the formula, building a partnership with employees, creating a fun culture, making the customer number one, meeting the competition head-on, expanding the business, thinking small, giving back to society, and following ten rules for running a successful company.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in business or entrepreneurship. It provides valuable insights and practical advice that can be applied to any business, regardless of its size or industry.

This is an example of a case study that can be explored further.

Case studies are valuable tools as they provide in-depth analysis and understanding of specific situations.

In this particular case, it is likely that there are specific details and aspects that need to be examined closely.

Perhaps it involves a complex problem or a unique set of circumstances that require careful consideration.

By conducting a thorough case study, we can gain insights into the root causes, potential solutions, and any implications or consequences.

This can help in making informed decisions, developing strategies, or improving processes.

Overall, the case study presented here holds great potential for further exploration and analysis to uncover valuable knowledge and understanding.

It is normal that a book that talks about the business world does not much resemble the "manuals" of the MBA, and it is not surprising that this book is written by one of the great entrepreneurs of the 20th century. As always, theory on one side and reality on the other. This book offers unique insights and perspectives that cannot be found in traditional textbooks. It provides valuable lessons and experiences that are applicable in various business situations.

It is a highly recommended reading for those who swim against the current, regardless of the era and the sector of activity. It challenges the conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think outside the box. However, if you pick it up with a smoking paper, don't read it. This implies that one should approach this book with a serious and open mind, ready to absorb the knowledge and ideas presented.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the business world, whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a business professional, or simply someone who wants to understand how successful businesses operate.

This is an excellent book indeed.

Sam Walton, the author, was truly a genius and an amazing leader. His insights and experiences shared in this book are simply remarkable.

I have found that the concepts presented here are not only thought-provoking but also highly applicable in various aspects of life and business.

As I read through the pages, I couldn't help but be inspired by Walton's vision and determination.

The book offers valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and customer service, among other things.

I know for sure that the ideas and principles in this book will be something that I will think about often.

They will serve as a constant reminder to strive for excellence and to always look for ways to improve.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning from one of the greatest business minds of our time.