From Bob's Books, Western Australia

"This is a well-constructed book that allows us to delve deep into the mindset of a retailing giant. Bergdahl does a good job in conveying the fundamental principles of a man who took a small hardware store and turned it into the biggest retailer in the world. His message is clear and, thankfully, this book ensures that it is not lost."

From Ian F. Thomas, Chairman  International Council of Shopping Centers

"While many books have been written about Sam Walton, few have grasped the intricacies and shared such insights as Bergdahl has so cleverly mastered.  I have purchased many copies and have sent them to many friends as a "must read". 

 From J. Knapp III,  a former Wal-Mart Store Manager

"Accurate and insightful, this book is a must read for anyone who is in the business of providing goods or services as well as anyone who ever wondered, "How does Wal-Mart do it?" Bergdahl has let the "secret" out of the bag, as only an insider could. Time and again the words leapt off the pages at me, a steady reminder of how often I heard those same phrases directly from Mr. Sam's lips. It was so unusual, yet very refreshing, to read a book from someone who truly understands the inner workings of Wal-Mart."

From Christine Sim, TACT HR Consulting Group, Training People International Pte Ltd, Singapore

"I got the book in Singapore recently on route to China and I have found the contents extremely insightful and a must-read for all business people who want to re-engineer their operations, both strategically and tactically."

from Don Longo, Publisher & Editorial Director, Retail Merchandiser Magazine

"Michael Bergdahl's new book is neither another homage to the world's largest retailer, nor another attack on Wal-Mart's influence and power over the consumer market. Instead, it is a practical guide that shows retailers and suppliers that they can indeed survive and thrive in a post-Wal-Mart world. Peppered with a liberal dose of actual anecdotes from his experiences working at Wal-Mart, Bergdahl has composed an easy-to-digest manual of strategies and tactics for retailers of any size."

from Tracy Mullin, President & CEO, National Retail Federation

“Michael Bergdahl's book presents unique insights into the staggering international success of Wal-Mart. As a former Wal-Mart insider, Bergdahl has captured many of the secrets of Wal-Mart's rise from regional chain to corporate juggernaut. Throughout the pages of this book you can almost hear Sam Walton himself coaching and inspiring his legion of employees to greatness.”

From Roger J. Dow, SVP Global & Field Sales, Marriott International, Inc.

“Retailers, Non-Retailers, Manufacturers and Suppliers will enjoy Bergdahl’s insights into Wal-Mart’s service culture and its leadership icon, Sam Walton, which unveil the myth, folklore, strategies and tactics behind the success of the world’s largest company.”

From Ralph A. Oliva, Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Business Markets (ISBM), Professor of Marketing, Smeal College of Business, Penn State

“A great story - some very powerful insights. The summaries and suggestions at the end of each chapter represent a focused set of lessons valuable for anyone in marketing - especially anyone going up against one of the "big guns". College students, professors and business leaders, studying Wal-Mart, will all benefit from Bergdahl's experiences.”

From David Rae, Chief Executive, Association of Convenience Stores, England

“Bergdahl's book gives a fascinating insider's view of the world's most successful retailer. At the same time he provides a vital check list for any retailer faced with seemingly unequal competition from a much larger rival.”

From Sharlea Leatherwood, Independent Pharmacist, President, National Community Pharmacists Association

“The secret’s out. Now we know how Sam was so successful. The best thing about this book is that pharmacies around the country can use this as a resource guide to overcome the “Wal-Mart” effect.”

From Kerley LaBoeuf, President & CEO, National Association of Convenience Stores

“The integration of storytelling, facts and suggestions makes P.O.C.K.E.T.S. both informative and a “how to” primer regarding competing with Wal-Mart or any powerful competitor.”

From John F. Morrison, Missouri State Director, National Grocers Association

“Michael Bergdahl's personal experience, extensive research and knowledge of the retail industry will not fail to give readers a "bushel basket" full of great ideas. His "inside-out"-"outside-in" analysis of Wal-Mart provides much to consider from the competitive view. Bergdahl pulls all the pieces together.”

From Robert Z. Aliber, Professor of International Economics and Finance, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business

“A very readable summary of a charismatic and innovative entrepreneur and the firm and the culture that he created. Bergdahl provides insights and recommendations so that other retailers will not be crushed by this eight ton steamroller.”

From Chester Cadieux, Chairman of the Board, QuikTrip Corporation

“I liked the retail lessons about operations, culture and expense control so much I decided to make Bergdahl's book required reading for all of the managers in our 400 stores!”

From William S. Cody, Managing Director, Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative, Lecturer, Marketing Department The Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania

“Competition with Wal-Mart is not a death sentence for retailers. Michael Bergdahl's insightful book bridges fundamental theory with practical examples to help companies of any size meet the challenges they face. Applying these concepts at any retailer will provide a firm foundation to distinguish your business from competitors, delight your customers and keep your cash registers ringing.”

From Somers H. White CPAE, FIMC, President - Somers White Company, Inc., Marketing, Management, Coaching and Financial Consultants

“Michael Bergdahl reveals the secrets of what produced Wal-Mart’s success. This is a terrific book! It can be used as a guide for helping your organization to seize new opportunities.”

From Wes Ball, President, Tennessee Grocers Association, Past President, Food Industry Association Executives

“Michael Bergdahl's first hand experiences at Wal-Mart’s Headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, along with his personal stories of working with and around Sam Walton, provides useful insights into the company’s day to day operations. His discussion of Wal-Mart’s methods of operation is enhanced by his background working on the supplier side at Frito-Lay and as a business turnaround expert. Grocers will benefit greatly by reading Bergdahl’s analysis of how to pick Wal-Mart's P.O.C.K.E.T.S.”

From Carlos Augusto Militelli, CEO, Event Planning Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil

“A complete and detailed inside view of an organization which has changed the competitive business world, forever. I highly recommend this book as a business tool. It is a survival kit especially for those merchants that deal with big discount chains.”

From Rich Tiller, President, www.ProfessionalSpeakersNetwork.com; Past President – International Association of Speakers Bureaus

“Learn the detailed “secrets” of Wal-Mart’s success. A must read for any business person! Bergdahl’s energy as a speaker shines through in this book!”

From Helen Gordon, Chairman & CEO, GREENSHEET, Advertising Publications, Houston, Dallas, Ft Worth, Austin & Phoenix

“This book provides a unique perspective on Wal-Mart’s business philosophies and competitive methods and details how they permeate the entire community and ultimately all businesses! This compelling story makes this one of the few books I have read in one sitting!”

From J.H. Campbell, Jr., President /CEO, Associated Grocers, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Past Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Grocers Association

“Mike Bergdahl, in his book, “What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete & Thrive in a Wal-Mart World”, has provided a complete digest and compilation of the various objectives, tactics, policies, procedures, mindsets and culture used by the world’s largest retailer. This book offers any business person the opportunity to assess and evaluate the effort, drive and commitment one must have to effectively and profitably compete at retail today against a formidable and predatory competitor. The insights, strategies and steps presented are a career of observations in successful marketing, business efficiency, human resource management and customer focus. All retailers today face the challenge of becoming and maintaining relevant to the consumer, today. This book offers clear and concise suggestions on what has been done by Wal-Mart and what could, and may be done by all other retailers seeking to become alternative shopping experiences for the consumer.”