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100 reviews
July 14,2025
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Work hard and don't be greedy. This simple principle holds great significance in our lives.

When we work hard, we are putting in the effort and dedication required to achieve our goals. It is through hard work that we can build a solid foundation for our future and reach for success.

On the other hand, being greedy can lead us astray. Greed makes us want more than we need, and it can cause us to make unethical or irresponsible decisions.

By following the principle of working hard and not being greedy, we can maintain a healthy balance in our lives. We can focus on our goals, work towards them with determination, and be content with what we achieve.

Let us all strive to work hard and resist the temptation of greed. In this way, we can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
July 14,2025
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Sam Walton penned this book to detail his captivating tale of how Walmart evolved from a small-town American discount store to the present-day retail behemoth. The book's tone is informal, as if Sam Walton is right there with you, which makes it both entertaining and engaging.

Some valuable lessons I gleaned from Walmart's founder:

- You can learn from everyone. He wasn't ashamed to admit that "most of everything I've done I copied from somebody else." He used to tell his managers and associates, "Check out everyone who is our competition. And don't look for the bad. Look for the good." He confessed, "I did something I would do for the rest of my career in the retail business without any shame or embarrassment whatsoever: snoop around other people's stores and search for good talent."

- The best way to grow the business and maintain performance is through a hands-on approach, by being in the stores, talking to people "before they speak to you," and asking questions as part of the "educational process." The Waltons recall that even during road trips or overseas voyages, Sam, armed with his tape recorder or legal pad, would visit every store along the way and ask questions.

- A winning mindset and letting go of your own mistakes or achievements can take you far. "To succeed in this world, you have to change all the time."

- Empowering managers and associates to test their radical ideas contributed to Walmart's success. Sam Walton gave the associates their due credit, recognizing their constant dedication and vital role in staying in touch with the customer.

A visionary ahead of his time, he goes on to list ten principles for building a successful business:

1. Commit to the company. Believe in it more than anyone else.

2. Share the profits with all your employees. Treat everyone as your partner.

3. Motivate your partners. Don't be too predictable.

4. Communicate everything you can to your partners.

5. Appreciate your employees. There's no substitute for a word of praise.

6. Celebrate your success, find humor in your failures, and have fun working.

7. Listen, listen to everyone.

8. Exceed your customers' expectations. Do a little more.

9. Control your expenses. Run an efficient operation.

10. Swim upstream. Go the other way. Ignore conventional wisdom.

I read that Sam Walton: Made in America was a favorite book of Amazon's founder. No doubt Jeff Bezos borrowed several principles from Sam Walton, such as customer focus and a frugal mentality. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning some sound principles to apply in their own entrepreneurial pursuits.
July 14,2025
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What you see is what you get.

I did learn quite a bit about the culture of Walmart and what differentiates it from other large companies and retailers.

Walmart has a unique corporate culture that emphasizes customer service, low prices, and efficiency.

The company's slogan, "Save Money. Live Better," reflects its commitment to providing customers with affordable products and a better quality of life.

One of the things that sets Walmart apart is its focus on supply chain management.

The company has developed a highly efficient system for sourcing, transporting, and stocking its products, which allows it to offer low prices while maintaining high levels of inventory.

Another aspect of Walmart's culture is its emphasis on employee training and development.

The company invests heavily in training its employees to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to provide excellent customer service.

Overall, my experience learning about Walmart's culture has been very informative and has given me a better understanding of what makes this company so successful.
July 14,2025
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Business-wise, there are a great many solid lessons to be learned here.

The folksy tenor of the writing really added something for me. It had a certain charm that made it engaging and easy to follow. However, I can't help but wonder if some readers may find it off-putting.

The last few chapters seemed to focus more on Walton's personal beliefs. While this was interesting in its own right, I have to admit that I found it a bit of a slog to get through.

Overall, though, this is an interesting story and a good read. It offers valuable insights into the business world and the mind of one of its most successful entrepreneurs.

Whether you're a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in a good story, this book is worth checking out.

It may not be perfect, but it has enough to offer to make it a worthwhile addition to your library.

July 14,2025
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A fascinating chapter in human life. I just finished reading a wonderful business story about an ordinary, yet remarkable entrepreneur.


I am still thinking and reflecting on how my life story is also a simple one, and I am eager to continue reading more. I shared the interesting experiences I had with the medium.


The story of this entrepreneur has inspired me a lot. It shows that with determination and hard work, anyone can achieve great things in the business world.


I look forward to learning more from such stories and applying the lessons to my own life and work.

July 14,2025
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This is one of those books that you simply must have on your bookshelf.

Sam Walton is an outstanding example of a man who adhered firmly to his values and principles. Despite experiencing both remarkable success and inevitable failures, Sam never compromised his core values.

If I were to distill the book into the top 3 lessons, it would be as follows:

1. Have a passion for learning. Sam Walton gleaned a wealth of knowledge from those around him, including his co-workers and competitors. This insatiable thirst for learning was a crucial factor in his success.

2. Take action first, and many things will fall into place. We often have a tendency to over-prepare ourselves for a situation before taking any action. However, if we look at Sam Walton's story, we can see that he typically learned by doing.

3. Be prepared to experiment until it works. In the early days, much of what Walmart did was based on trial and error. They persisted until they found the right formula. The lesson here is that we should never expect things to be perfect from the first try. We must persevere until we succeed!

There is so much more to discover in the book, and these are just my top 3 takeaways. Sam Walton is a great source of inspiration, and I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to read his book. It is truly an amazing read.
July 14,2025
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This is probably the only book I read in 2020. (I have to check on that.)


From what I can tell, he was a very persistent human being. And this quality, when paired with wits and skills, can indeed bring success. But there's no need for me to elaborate further because we're all well aware of just how successful Walmart is.


What did I understand from him? I vividly remember reading about how he would visit every store he could find to gain insights into what the competitors were up to. That's something I picked up from this book. I decided to give this method a try and visited the places of my competitors. During my visits, I noticed several differences and also picked up some valuable pointers. I'm truly glad that I read this book! It has provided me with practical knowledge and inspiration that I can apply in my own endeavors.

July 14,2025
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I discovered this book to be both highly informative and thoroughly entertaining.

It is filled with numerous captivating stories that vividly描绘 the early days of Walmart. These tales offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of Sam Walton and his unwavering obsession with the retail industry.

What truly stood out to me was Sam Walton's remarkable down-to-earth nature. Even as the company achieved remarkable growth and success, he remained humble and grounded.

This quality is evident throughout the entire autobiography, making it not only an interesting read but also a source of inspiration.

The book provides valuable insights into the strategies and principles that led to Walmart's rise to prominence, while also highlighting the importance of maintaining a genuine and relatable approach in business.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Walmart or those seeking inspiration from a successful entrepreneur.
July 14,2025
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Beautiful! Wish could give this book a 7 star rating (7 out of 5); it just would be incorrect mathematically ;-)

The old saying goes: a dying man never lies. Mr. Sam Walton has truly done everyone a huge favor by penning this book, especially those in the retail industry. He has been completely honest in confessing the things that were successful and those that failed for his business. He was extremely brave in expressing his views and venturing into uncharted territories. He chose to offer discounts in small towns with a relatively small population and then managed to attract crowds from neighboring towns. This shows his great wisdom. He pursued a life that he firmly believed in until the very last days of his life.

This book is truly worth owning a copy and re-reading it. It provides valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the retail industry or in achieving success in business. Sam Walton's story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and innovation. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn from one of the greatest business minds of our time.
July 14,2025
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A great way to finish my 2017 reading year!

This book has provided me with so many valuable insights into the world of retail. It truly stands out as one of the best books I've read this year.

The author's in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject matter are evident throughout the pages. From the latest trends and strategies to the challenges and opportunities faced by retailers, every aspect is covered in a comprehensive and engaging manner.

I found myself constantly highlighting and taking notes as I delved deeper into the text.

Whether you're a seasoned retailer or someone with a keen interest in the industry, this book is a must-read.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge and gain a competitive edge in the retail landscape.

It's a book that will not only inform but also inspire you to think differently about retail.

So, if you're looking for a great read to end your year on a high note, look no further than this amazing book on retail.

July 14,2025
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An interesting book indeed. As I completed reading it, I was truly shocked to discover the year it was published. The growth that was shared within the pages of this book merely scratches the surface of what Walmart has transformed into since the time of its publication. It makes one wonder about the journey that Walmart has embarked upon in the intervening years. The book provides a snapshot of a particular moment in Walmart's history, but it is clear that so much more has happened since then. It leaves the reader with a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn more about the company's evolution.

July 14,2025
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Living in NWA, I have the opportunity to witness the profound ripple effect that Sam Walton has had in this area firsthand. His influence is truly remarkable as he single-handedly changed Arkansas and brought it to the forefront. I have had the privilege of meeting numerous people who knew Sam personally, and they all have nothing but great things to say about him.


Everyone is captivated by the story of someone living the American Dream, of starting something truly incredible from scratch. Sam's unwavering commitment to the customer was simply unparalleled. His business acumen and innovative ideas revolutionized the retail industry.


This article is a good and quick read that emphasizes the significance of the free market and the far-reaching impact it can have on individuals. It serves as a reminder of the power of entrepreneurship and the ability to create something extraordinary with hard work and determination.

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