What I learned from Sam Walton - Michael Bergdahl

"Michael Bergdahl's book presents unique insights into the staggering international success of Wal-Mart. Throughout the pages of this book, you can almost hear Sam Walton himself coaching and inspiring his legion of employees to greatness."

Tracy Mullin, President and CEO, National Retail Federation

"Retailers, non-retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers will enjoy Bergdahl's insights into Wal-Mart's service culture and its leadership icon, Sam Walton."

Roger J. Dow, SVP Global and Field Sales, Marriott International, Inc.

"Mike Bergdahl, in his book, What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World, has provided a complete digest and compilation of the various objectives, tactics, policies, procedures, mindsets, and culture used by the world's largest retailer. This book offers any business person the opportunity to assess and evaluate the effort, drive, and commitment, one must have to effectively and profitably compete at retail today against a formidable and predatory competitor. The insights, strategies, and steps presented are a career of observations in successful marketing, business efficiency, human resource management, and customer focus. All retailers today, face the challege of becoming and maintaining relevant to the consumer today. This book offers clear and concise suggestions on what has been done by Wal-Mart and what could, and may be done by all other retailers seeking to become alternative shopping experiences for the consumer."

J.H. Campbell Jr., President/CEO, Associated Grocers, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
past chairman of the Board of Directors, National Grocers Association

Bergdahl outlines his competitive strategy with the acronym P.O.C.K.E.T.S.

P
Price: Don't try to compete on price; differentiate your product selection.

O
Operations: Break the retail "ready, shoot, aim" tactical orientation by developing an actual strategy to compete.

C
Culture: Build a can-do culture with a strong sense of urgency. Communicate your values and beliefs over and over again to your employees.

K
Key Item Promotion/Product: Determine who you are and uniformly communicate your brand message to your entire team.

E
Expenses: Become obsessed about controlling costs.

T
Talent: Recruit constantly and hire people who have both experience and high potential.

S
Service: Never take your customer for granted. Empower your employees to make decisions involving customer concerns.