worked harder.
After university, Sam Walton got a job working in a department store and dreamed of one
day owning his own shop. After serving in World War II, he used his Army pay to lease a
store that was part of a franchise chain. He built it up into such a huge success that the
franchise owner bought Walton out and took the store back for himself.
Now that he had more money to work with, Sam Walton finally realized his dream of
owning a department store. It was the first step towards the Wal-Mart empire that now
boasts nearly 9,000 stores in fifteen countries and employs more than a million people.
Walton developed ideas we take for granted today, but were great innovations at the time
- discount pricing, extended hours, numerous cash registers, profit-sharing with
employees, and involvement in community activities.
Sam Walton said the secret to his success were plain hard work and ten simple rules:- Commit to your goals
- Share your rewards
- Energize your colleagues
- Communicate all you know
- Value your associates
- Celebrate your success
- Listen to everyone
- Deliver more than you promise
- Work smarter than others
- Blaze your own path
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