The Big Store
Inside the Crisis and Revolution at Sears
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Narrated by:
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Brian Sutherland
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Donald Katz - introduction
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Written by:
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Donald Katz
About this listen
In 1972, Sears, Roebuck, and Co. was America's greatest store, accounting for over 1 percent of the gross national product. Suddenly, profits plummeted and the stock price collapsed. Sears was at civil war and in need of a new leader. In 1978, Edward R. Telling became the Sears chairman, and by 1984 Sears was back on top, bigger than ever. Telling turned things around so dramatically it seemed like a miracle. But the resurrection of Sears as a great American merchant was no miracle, but the result of the power, vision, and will of strong leadership.
Award-winning author Donald Katz, who received unprecedented and unrestricted access to Sears's records, meetings, and executives, delivers a spellbinding account that gives you a front-row seat to a corporate revolution. Katz is the founder and CEO of Audible, the leading provider of spoken audio information and entertainment.
This edition includes an updated introduction written and narrated by the author.
©1987 Donald R. Katz (P)2018 Audible, Inc.What listeners say about The Big Store
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- Anonymous User
- 26-08-21
Very good book to listen and read
Please try this, one of the most recommended books , lot of content in it to explore and learn great lessons in it.
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- Anonymous User
- 09-05-21
Chronicle of the mighty Sears
It’s a chronicle of the mighty Sears, Roebuck and Company, an american retail giant with 19th-century roots as a mail-order business operating in rural America. Sears grew into one of the nation’s largest corporations, redefining the American shopping experience in the process. Its 130-year history embodies the rise and fall of American consumer culture and with it a host of business lessons.
While this one is a long and arduous read, it does have a few fruitful lessons which make it worthwhile for a manager who aims for business and culture growth in their company. Mentioned below are a few:
1. Decentralisation with a touch of centralised context, similar to what Netflix does today is what works best. Integral for company wide agenda alignment, ensuring micromanaging doesn’t become a habit, and a great place for helping people achieve their 100% potential.
2. Company culture is more important than bottom line- In a business so vast and old, slice of company culture is what makes a perfect cocktail. Brenon’s comeback to the a hint of old ways with this growth plan help Sears drink the Bloody Mary post 1980’s.
3. Consumer Needspace is the answer to growth hypothesis- Venturing into consumer credit, mortgages and stock trading was an answer to long term potential merged with consumer needs for horizontal expansion led growth.
4. Anger is an emotion one must keep out while doing negotiations- The story showcase a skilled negotiator Rod Hills who used his negotiating skills with logic and emotion excluding Anger, as ego is not the answer to getting the job done when it comes to a mutual beneficial decision.
5. Firing is not always the answer- if business needs it, but culture doesn’t allow it. Maybe there is a graceful way to make your long term employee happy with a minuscule dent on operating expenses. Eg ERIP
#bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #businessbooks #bookrecommendations #learning #growthmindset #instareads #businessstrategy #companyculture #sears
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- Anonymous User
- 19-06-19
amazingly deep research.
amazingly deep research. it was realty long time from starting research for book to completing it.
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1 person found this helpful