Bullitt Bob
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Posted: Aug. 04 2006,9:02 am |
Post # 25 |
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| Quote (shueman @ Aug. 03 2006,6:18 pm) | To look at the other side of the equation, on behalf of Wal-Mart:
1. Â They are the most efficient retailer on the planet
2. Â They have the most sophisticated computer network and inventory management systems
3. Â They have initiated Industry processes that have lead to real cost savings for everyone, including consumers
4. Â They are good business partners...they do what they say they will do, and pay their bills on time.
5. Â They have the best warehousing and transportation system (yea, Bob).
They are "on course" to DOMINATE the Retail Sector. Â 10 years ago, they accounted for 7%-10% of our Food Retail Sales; today they are over 30%.... 
You will NOT win against them; you can only hope to co-exist.....  |
I can tell you all first hand that in many ways Wal*Mart is a still wonderful  company, but over the years since Sam Walton's death, it's also turned to shit in many ways. 
Sam was huge on treating his people with respect, wasn't the slightest bit interested in the company being the dominant retail player and was sincerely committed to the "Made in USA" phrase.
The day he died, it all changed and in many ways for the worse. 
What made Sam a billionaire was opening stores in small towns, especially the towns with declining economies, providing low priced goods and jobs and making Wal*Mart a real team player in the community.  Sam also cared deeply for his own people. He used to come into the driver's breakroom in Bentonville, sit down with the guys and discuss not only the stores, but the families. He took real joy in visiting stores, mixing it up with associates not only to find out how to make the store better, but how to make their lives better too. Sam also realized selling "Made in USA" was crucial to the economy. I can tell you this as fact because I've seen endless hours of film of him giving "inside the company" speeches and pep talks.
Sam was also a great friend to Sol Price, the founder of Price Club (now Costco) and Harry Cunningham, the founder of K-Mart. Sam fully admitted that Sam's Club was a carbon copy of Price Club, but rather than be pissed off, Sol Price welcomed the competition. Same with Cunningham. Those 3 individuals all agreed that being competetive with each other not only benefited themselves, but most of all the consumer. A real "good old boy" handshake agreement.
However, within a year of his death, I started observing changes in the company that meant the almighty dollar is more important than anything. These changes did not happen overnight. As each one of Sam's hand picked executives retired or moved on to other ventures, Wal*Mart slowly started becoming it's own beaurocracy.
The philosophy of "Made in USA" was replaced with "Made by China, Indonesia, India, Mexico...........) and being a good neighbor was replaced with corporate greed.
Wal*Mart's current staff of executives seem to be firmly bent on World Domination. Our expansion has been so furiously fast, that now we're the big bully on the block.
Inside the company walls, Sam Walton's beliefs are still rammed down our throats, but in actuality they are mostly not
practiced. Instead of good, caring associates, we now fill the jobs with anyone who doesn't have a felony record and can formulate a complete sentence. Although I work for Wal*Mart, I, like you all, am a consumer and just as frustrated with the horseshit. Lousy customer service and crappy merchandise doesn't please me either.
I'm going to stop typing now because I'm starting to get really pissed. 
Hopefully things will get better, sorry about the rant.
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12-25-2025 Three Word Post.....The Next Generation.... (Rep.#20,039) from: BigDog
Now days, with the new cheap labor, we can't keep any new hires anymore. They leave when the first holiday rolls around and they find out they won't get holiday pay. I could go on all day, but I won't jack this thread. 
