Review of "The 10 Rules of Sam Walton"
Reviewed by J . F. Knapp, III,
Former Wal-Mart Store Manager - Current Manufacturer & Supplier to Wal-Mart
This review appears on the Barnes & Noble website

"For 15 years I helped open and manage Wal*Mart Discount Stores and Supercenters throughout the southeastern United States. A former Store Manager, I was privileged to be a part of the “last generation” to know, and be a disciple of, Sam Walton.

Currently in manufacturing, and a supplier to Wal*Mart, I am often asked what the “secrets” were Mr. Sam used to put Wal*Mart on the path to becoming the most successful company in the history of the world. Invariably, I struggle to communicate the simple, yet complex, essence of Mr. Sam in a way that makes sense to anyone who wasn’t there to experience it firsthand. Michael Bergdahl doesn’t share my struggle, he has done a marvelous job! “Bird Dawg’s” book has the most intimate, true insider, feel of any I have read since Made in America, Mr. Sam's autobiography.

100% accurately, he has shared the pure, simple truths that made Mr. Sam, and Wal*Mart, legendary successes. As Don Soderquist used to say to us, 'This is one of those books you should own. Don't borrow it. Add it to your personal library!' It should be read, and regularly re-read by... everyone! Business people, students, teachers, parents, children, the points Bergdahl illustrates have meaningful application for them all.

This book should be required reading for every graduating senior, High School and College. Honestly, it should be provided (along with an approved infant car seat) to every new family as they leave the hospital. Parents, wanting to truly provide for the well being of their kids, should strive to instill these basic principles at an early age. The Ten Rules of Sam Walton, transcends the limits of a traditional book about lessons in business (which this is) and makes it a book about life and about successful living! The “Bird Dawg” has set a high hurdle for his next book!"

Review of "The Ten Rules of Sam Walton"
by ACE - Action Community for Entrepreneurship

"The Ten Rules of Sam Walton explains the key principles that underpinned the phenomenal business success of Sam Walton. However it is the glimpses of Sam himself – or Mr Sam, as he was called in Wal-Mart – that really capture the reader’s attention.

It is certainly the thought process and the genius that we notice. The rules sound rather conventional, ranging from “Commit to achieving success and always be passionate” through to “Swim upstream, be different and challenge the status quo”. As broad statements, this all sounds very familiar and unchallenging. Many companies and entrepreneurs say much the same. But Mr Sam applied these rules in unique and unexpected ways.

Take people, for example. Many large companies assert that “Our people are our greatest asset”. Mr Sam said much the same: “It’s your people who make the difference”. But actions speak louder than words, and Sam truly put his people first. His attitude was highlighted by the way he called his human resources department “The People Division”, his employees “associates”, his managers “coaches” and his customers “friends or neighbours”.

The results of Sam’s business principles were dramatic – the Wall-Mart retailing empire now has annual sales of nearly $300 billion. So are Mr Sam’s ten rules “a blueprint for personal success”? Bergdahl does call them that; but he also admits that they “are easily understandable, but require a high degree of discipline for others to implement”. The road to success is not for the faint-hearted.

But in the end it is Mr Sam himself that impresses. He has been variously described as the quintessential entrepreneur, a true business genius, and a very uncommon common man. The Ten Rules of Sam Walton shows how he rose to success through a judicious mixture of hard work, sound principles and strength of character."