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The Wal-Mart Way
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The Wal-Mart Way

The Inside Story of the Success of the World

Don Soderquist
Thomas Nelson, 2005
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Overview

Recommendation

Author Don Soderquist, Wal-Mart’s retired Vice Chairman and COO, writes passionately about the company; its founder, the late Sam Walton; and its corporate culture. Once dubbed "keeper of the culture," he is not here to write a balanced, objective corporate biography. Instead, his admiration and respect for Walton and Wal-Mart shine from every line. He examines the company’s workings from its humble beginnings to its rapid, phenomenal expansion. Soderquist describes Wal-Mart’s commitment to its customers and employees, and describes its cost-cutting zeal. He details its use of new technology to revolutionize internal systems. These insights from the inside are very interesting, but - perhaps because the author was in the highest ranks of the company’s leadership - the tone is so pro-Wal-Mart that it has the taste of public relations. However, if you seek immersion in this distinctive corporate culture and want to emulate the principles that worked for it, getAbstract stands beside the big glass doors and welcomes you to Wal-Mart. Do you need a shopping cart?

Summary

The Wal-Mart Creed According to Sam

In 2002, Wal-Mart became the world’s largest company. How did a small business launched in Arkansas grow into an international megacorporation in 55 years? Its success story began with founder Sam Walton, who built his dream on these principles:

  • Serve the customer every single day.
  • Teach, reinforce and practice a unified corporate culture company-wide.
  • Be committed to your community and your employees (whom Wal-Mart calls "associates" to indicate their status as participants in the corporate culture).
  • Achieve excellence in every department.
  • Get things done quickly, efficiently and with a sense of urgency.
  • Invest in technology.
  • Constantly review operations and strip away excess cost.
  • Build supplier relationships on honesty and trust.
  • Follow a clear, cohesive growth strategy.

Sam’s Vision

Sam Walton dreamed of owning a store. But his vision went beyond that. He envisioned giving small town America great places to shop. He wanted to provide high-quality products at low prices in a pleasant environment. He also wanted his employees to have an emotional...

About the Author

Don Soderquist joined Wal-Mart in 1980 and served as executive vice president, vice chairman, chief operating officer and senior vice chairman. He was COO during the period of time when Wal-Mart became the largest global retailer.

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