Monday, June 12, 2006

The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman

Title: The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works - And How It's Transforming the American Economy

Author: Charles Fishman

Genre: Non-Fiction

Summary: Wal-Mart influences every shopping experience Americans have, even if they don't shop at Wal-Mart. Charles Fishman presents a compelling documentary of how they do business and what they should do to protect its supply chain.

The Take-Away: I loved this book. I've never been a fan of Wal-Mart and seldom shop there. (I can count on one hand the number of times we've been there in the last twelve months.) After reading the book, my opinion of Wal-Mart has changed.

Wal-Mart wants the best price always for its shoppers. The methods used to achieve that could be applauded and should in some cases. In other cases, Americans would be outraged if they knew the true cost of those low prices.

Fishman balances both the good and the bad in his review of Wal-Mart. His proposed solution for the power Wal-Mart weilds in the market place is one I support.

Recommendation: Read it, regardless of your views on Wal-Mart.

Bonus Review: A series of articles published in Fast Company by Fishman that form the backbone of the book.

Everything else I read in May

The Master List

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