| "THE WAY" NOT SAM'S WAY By Julie Pierce |
THIS IS THE REAL STORY.
THE STORY NO MEDIA OUTLET
WILL COVER. WHY? COULD IT
BE FEAR.
IT'S A SHAME EVEN NOW NINE
MONTHS AFTER MY
TERMINATION/RESIGNATION ???
I WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE
TO WALMART TO EXPLAIN ALL
OF IT TO LEAD THEM IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. THE ROAD
IS NOT LEFT OR RIGHT IT'S REAL
THE STORY NO MEDIA OUTLET
WILL COVER. WHY? COULD IT
BE FEAR.
IT'S A SHAME EVEN NOW NINE
MONTHS AFTER MY
TERMINATION/RESIGNATION ???
I WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE
TO WALMART TO EXPLAIN ALL
OF IT TO LEAD THEM IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. THE ROAD
IS NOT LEFT OR RIGHT IT'S REAL
| THE RISE AND FALL OF THE WALTON EMPIRE |
IF YOUR A WALMART
ASSOCIATE YOU KNOW
FOR A PRE PUBLICATION
COPY OF THE BOOK EMAIL
ME...
ASSOCIATE YOU KNOW
FOR A PRE PUBLICATION
COPY OF THE BOOK EMAIL
ME...
Almost daily, there is mention of Walmart somewhere in the media.
Walmart finds itself up against more lawsuits then ever before and activists
are at top of the list of problems that continue to plague Walmart.
From attempts to block the opening of new Super Centers to the individual
and group lawsuits that are filed against the corporation, it will be the
people, customers and the company’s very own associates who will
determine the fate of the aging retailer.
Attempts at redeeming itself publicly and attempts at improving its image are
a new way of handling the perception people have of the company. In the
past public relations and the media were areas that the company avoided
unless there was an extremely negative situation that had to be
acknowledged through the media in some way. Now the corporate offices
have decided to defend the company to the extent of taking out full page
ads in different areas of the country and designing a web site called
Walmartfacts to allow the public access to its’ own view of the wonderful
world of Walmart.
A corporation, a company, the as big as life retail behemoth whose founder
Sam Walton, is looked at and remembered by many in different ways. Sam
was a man who is quoted almost continuously by an assortment of different
people and associates. Opinions vary and views on the man and his legacy
continue.
The book” The Walmart Decade” by Robert Slater looks at not only the
Walmart of today but also has many references to Sam Walton and the way
it was. The book “Made in America” by Sam Walton and John Huey is a
look at a man that seemed to genuinely care about the people that he more
than once said “should be treated as partners;” his associates; his
company’s employees who are no longer protected by the founder and his
way of “respecting the individual.”
A new book titled The Walmart Way by Don Soderqist is being released on
April 21, 2005. It is supposed to be about the Walmart executives. It is
already listed on Amazon and although it is from the inside of the corporate
and executive offices it is not from inside the stores and I am sure will not
deal with the same things I am addressing in this book.
The corporate officers, the directors and the executive officers of the
company are business people running a corporation, not Sam Walton. All
the books are pro Sam Walton and say much about the man especially as
far as the culture that he started.
Anyone attempting to find a company, or a corporation to work for that
would appreciate hard work could at one time find it here. A person could
take a look at “The Walmart Culture” and that person would be easy to
convince that Walmart has it all and will give it all to you if you work hard
and treat the customer as number one, according to Sam Walton. It seems,
from the inside to be getting further away from that kind of respect and
inclusiveness each day.
Today we have “The Walmart Decade “By Robert Slater “How a New
Generation of Leaders Turned Sam Walton's Legacy into the World's #1
company”
You really need to read between the lines.
You would need to understand that Mr. Slater received his information as it
is listed at the end of the book.
He did not work in the stores and did not really have access to or the ability
to really touch the average associate. I did.
The largest retailer in the country and the world is more than just a retailer,
employer and a stock on Wall Street. America’s most admired company is a
large part of day-to-day living for the typical American family. It is a very
large part of the day-to-day life of Walmart Associates.
From the outside of the stores, there is more than one opinion of the
company, its’ suppliers and its’ worth.
From inside there is also more than one opinion, and depending on many
factors that determine your position in the Walmart order of things an
opinion can be valid as far as Walmart is concerned or an opinion can be an
expression of possible hostile aggressive behavior the way Walmart is
today.
Among the many files, policies and trade secrets of the number one retailer
in our nation and in the world are the people. These people work in the
stores. The people that greet the customers and the people that keep the
shelves stocked. In many cases, this book reflects the very lives of the
people that this company will forever be connected to, like it or not.
This is the warehouse, the truck driver and the system that keeps count on
all of it. This is the story that includes a factory in a foreign country that
produces the clothing that hangs on the racks in the softlines departments.
This book is a written view from the inside of the stores. It takes an in depth
look at the associates, individual stores, salaried management and the
executive offices of this company that is listed on tickers of the New York
Stock Exchange as wmt.
Walmart finds itself up against more lawsuits then ever before and activists
are at top of the list of problems that continue to plague Walmart.
From attempts to block the opening of new Super Centers to the individual
and group lawsuits that are filed against the corporation, it will be the
people, customers and the company’s very own associates who will
determine the fate of the aging retailer.
Attempts at redeeming itself publicly and attempts at improving its image are
a new way of handling the perception people have of the company. In the
past public relations and the media were areas that the company avoided
unless there was an extremely negative situation that had to be
acknowledged through the media in some way. Now the corporate offices
have decided to defend the company to the extent of taking out full page
ads in different areas of the country and designing a web site called
Walmartfacts to allow the public access to its’ own view of the wonderful
world of Walmart.
A corporation, a company, the as big as life retail behemoth whose founder
Sam Walton, is looked at and remembered by many in different ways. Sam
was a man who is quoted almost continuously by an assortment of different
people and associates. Opinions vary and views on the man and his legacy
continue.
The book” The Walmart Decade” by Robert Slater looks at not only the
Walmart of today but also has many references to Sam Walton and the way
it was. The book “Made in America” by Sam Walton and John Huey is a
look at a man that seemed to genuinely care about the people that he more
than once said “should be treated as partners;” his associates; his
company’s employees who are no longer protected by the founder and his
way of “respecting the individual.”
A new book titled The Walmart Way by Don Soderqist is being released on
April 21, 2005. It is supposed to be about the Walmart executives. It is
already listed on Amazon and although it is from the inside of the corporate
and executive offices it is not from inside the stores and I am sure will not
deal with the same things I am addressing in this book.
The corporate officers, the directors and the executive officers of the
company are business people running a corporation, not Sam Walton. All
the books are pro Sam Walton and say much about the man especially as
far as the culture that he started.
Anyone attempting to find a company, or a corporation to work for that
would appreciate hard work could at one time find it here. A person could
take a look at “The Walmart Culture” and that person would be easy to
convince that Walmart has it all and will give it all to you if you work hard
and treat the customer as number one, according to Sam Walton. It seems,
from the inside to be getting further away from that kind of respect and
inclusiveness each day.
Today we have “The Walmart Decade “By Robert Slater “How a New
Generation of Leaders Turned Sam Walton's Legacy into the World's #1
company”
You really need to read between the lines.
You would need to understand that Mr. Slater received his information as it
is listed at the end of the book.
He did not work in the stores and did not really have access to or the ability
to really touch the average associate. I did.
The largest retailer in the country and the world is more than just a retailer,
employer and a stock on Wall Street. America’s most admired company is a
large part of day-to-day living for the typical American family. It is a very
large part of the day-to-day life of Walmart Associates.
From the outside of the stores, there is more than one opinion of the
company, its’ suppliers and its’ worth.
From inside there is also more than one opinion, and depending on many
factors that determine your position in the Walmart order of things an
opinion can be valid as far as Walmart is concerned or an opinion can be an
expression of possible hostile aggressive behavior the way Walmart is
today.
Among the many files, policies and trade secrets of the number one retailer
in our nation and in the world are the people. These people work in the
stores. The people that greet the customers and the people that keep the
shelves stocked. In many cases, this book reflects the very lives of the
people that this company will forever be connected to, like it or not.
This is the warehouse, the truck driver and the system that keeps count on
all of it. This is the story that includes a factory in a foreign country that
produces the clothing that hangs on the racks in the softlines departments.
This book is a written view from the inside of the stores. It takes an in depth
look at the associates, individual stores, salaried management and the
executive offices of this company that is listed on tickers of the New York
Stock Exchange as wmt.
CHAPTER OUTLINES
1 Where Is Sam?
As the culture dies associates question so many issues and look back at the
founder.
2 A Customer, Small Business Owner & Walmart
Associate
We were introduced to Walmart In Oklahoma. The truth in small business
prospering because of and then competing with Walmart . We started to become
part of the Wal-mart family.
3 The Cult
The mind set that occurs when I was included in areas of comradeship and power.
4 Alabama
Learning more about the Wal-mart family and promotions for all of us within the
store and district.
5 New Hampshire
The relocation goes well. The remaining three family members become Wal-mart
associates. Two are terminated for unjust reasons one quits. Associates come
to me with many concerns in three five different stores and I start to communicate
with regional and divisional executives and corporate officers on a regular basis.
6 The Culture
Walton’s culture, explained.
7 Unanswered Questions
Questions brought to me by Wal-mart associates and a few of my own.
8 Gender Discrimination
How gender discrimination affected me and others.
I joined the Class Action Lawsuit.
9 Open Door Communications
Part of the culture and how it works or doesn’t.
10 Propaganda
Promotional tools on the culture used to make Wal-mart look like something it isn’
t anymore.
11 Office Politics
The individual store’s back offices, upper management’s way of looking at issues,
what to do, what not to do to attain job security.
12 Ethics
Situations and actions covered up by corporate offices and within the stores by
Lee Scott, district regional executive officers and members of store management.
13 Fluff
Accountability, regulations, policies and direction that turns lies into the truth and
the truth into lies.
14 Louisiana
The relocation has major problems. Two of the last three associates have no
work upon arrival. My district manager fires me and I am saved through the
intervention of Tom Coughlin. Upper management is prone to lying about serious
situations. Associates have the same concerns they had in the north it no longer
is a happy Walmart family. Executive and Corporate communications become
strained and the open door slams shut.
15 Recovery
The Cult: Recovery and withdrawal. Robert Greenwald, Carolina Productions, a
series of communications on my status with Walmart
As the culture dies associates question so many issues and look back at the
founder.
2 A Customer, Small Business Owner & Walmart
Associate
We were introduced to Walmart In Oklahoma. The truth in small business
prospering because of and then competing with Walmart . We started to become
part of the Wal-mart family.
3 The Cult
The mind set that occurs when I was included in areas of comradeship and power.
4 Alabama
Learning more about the Wal-mart family and promotions for all of us within the
store and district.
5 New Hampshire
The relocation goes well. The remaining three family members become Wal-mart
associates. Two are terminated for unjust reasons one quits. Associates come
to me with many concerns in three five different stores and I start to communicate
with regional and divisional executives and corporate officers on a regular basis.
6 The Culture
Walton’s culture, explained.
7 Unanswered Questions
Questions brought to me by Wal-mart associates and a few of my own.
8 Gender Discrimination
How gender discrimination affected me and others.
I joined the Class Action Lawsuit.
9 Open Door Communications
Part of the culture and how it works or doesn’t.
10 Propaganda
Promotional tools on the culture used to make Wal-mart look like something it isn’
t anymore.
11 Office Politics
The individual store’s back offices, upper management’s way of looking at issues,
what to do, what not to do to attain job security.
12 Ethics
Situations and actions covered up by corporate offices and within the stores by
Lee Scott, district regional executive officers and members of store management.
13 Fluff
Accountability, regulations, policies and direction that turns lies into the truth and
the truth into lies.
14 Louisiana
The relocation has major problems. Two of the last three associates have no
work upon arrival. My district manager fires me and I am saved through the
intervention of Tom Coughlin. Upper management is prone to lying about serious
situations. Associates have the same concerns they had in the north it no longer
is a happy Walmart family. Executive and Corporate communications become
strained and the open door slams shut.
15 Recovery
The Cult: Recovery and withdrawal. Robert Greenwald, Carolina Productions, a
series of communications on my status with Walmart
Chapter 1
Where is Sam?
“It’s My Walmart”! The corporate offices and officers have changed
the way the company is run and the Sam’s Walmart is gone.
This is an inside look at a company and culture that is not what it
seemed to be seven years ago when I started with it in Panama
City, (Callaway) Florida as an hourly associate. The original culture
was alive and it was a wonderful place to work. It is not the same
Walmart I see now and many of Sam’s original rules for business are
gone. When I look back at the beginning of my career with the
company, it was Sam’s way. It was an exceptional retail
experiencce with an exceptional leader's culture driving it.
The corporate officers have destroyed Sam’s Walmart. It is now
Walmart, the largest retail establishment in America, in the world and
a part of Corporate America that no longer has much of the founder,
Sam Walton’s culture left in it.
Sam was an unusual man. There are many stories, many told to me
by long-term associates about him and his way of doing things. I
can only conclude when he died, the soul of the Walmart culture
began to fade. When Sam left, the life’s blood of his associates was
to slowly drain away.
The sadness would come in the form of the corporate monster that
would rise up and take over.
The “necessary evil” Sam Walton did not really care for (the
corporate offices) has grown steadily since his death into an
unfeeling paper monster. The corporate officers do not have the
same touch he had. They do not motivate the associates as he did
and the personal touch is far, far away. Occasionally you may get a
glimpse of Sam’s shadow or smile, when a manager or associate
who really cares shares with others in the stores or smiles at you as
they go about their day.
This is not easy to write without sounding as if I am bashing the
Walmart that I loved. I am not anti Walmart, actually I am far from
it, and have made every attempt to enlighten the executives and
corporate officers of the company during the past three years about
the potential hazards of alienating the associate base. I have
communicated concerns and problems to the corporate offices and
more than once I have been told not to worry about any of it.
During a conversation on the phone one day, I was told by my
divisional vice president, Jim Hayworth that I can’t fight every battle.
More than once I have been given what I would call a pep talk and
the issue I knew was important to the company and associates was
been overlooked. I have had Walmart vice presidents tell me I
should have been a preacher and yet I would have failed at it
miserably if the outcome were any indication of my way of
communicating the message that I have tried to bring.
This entire story could be just an opinionated reflection on a chapter
of my life that can be broken down and analyzed. Still the problems
are real and the answers are so simple.
Walmart is a piece of my family. A time in the life of a city girl who
grew up believing that there is a right way to do things. Brought up
to have a conscience and know the difference between right and
wrong. A time in the life of a girl who grew up, in a time and place
and with a family very much like, but also very different, from the
type of family that produced Sam Walton.
At this time, I can see how it would take many years and the
experiences that a lifetime can bring to understand it. ”If I knew
then, what I know now and could do it over”, hindsight is hindsight
and what is current is current. They definitely are mixing at this time.
The chapters and the revelations within the pages of this book are
complicated. My intention has been to tell more than the
experiences I have personally had. Still during the course of almost
seven years and three of that writing each time that I had to get a
large situation out of my system or under some kind of bearable
control. I find that one issue mixes with another so that all of this is
truly my experience in the sense all of it has touched someone in my
family, some way.
It does not mean that others lives were not changed by this work
environment or situations that have occurred in the stores that Sam
held so dear.
I could not possibly detail every situation I have come across in
seven years. To do so would turn this into a series of books and
possibly would be so long that it would never be finished.
Day by day, issues come up that grab my attention. A number of
associates have asked for my assistance in matters they have no
idea of how to handle. One associate running a department for two
years is being told even though she is not the department manager
she has to continue to do the work of one. Meanwhile the actual
department manager cannot or will not do the work. That
department manager continues to have the title and pay and the
other associate does her work.
Another associate has had her last name given out to a customer,
which is against company policy. An irate customer could be a
problem not only in the store but for an associate that has no idea
customers who are angry can get information from the store that will
be able to be used to contact them outside of the store. Even the
schedules that hang on the back hall in the stores only show the first
three letters of an associate’s last name. This way an associate’s
last name was kept private even to other associates and vendors.
Management in the store discounts the issue as not important. They
continue to make accusations against the associate and do not at all
recognize the associate's concern about the matter.
An associate tells me there is favoritism as far as job
announcements not being posted and departments being given to
friends of salaried management. Walmart policies are not foIlowed
in many stores and I have no power to do anything but listen and
direct them to the person that I believe they need to contact. Some
will, many will not out of fear of retaliation and if I tell them I will help,
many will say they are afraid they will pay in some way for
complaining or they fear their job will be lost.
On any one day I have spent half or more of my day listening to
associates that have concerns. The associates asking the most
questions are the long term, serious associates. They are the
associates that depend on there jobs for their livelihood. They have
families to support and use the money for their family’s basic needs.
I hold all conversations confidential and do not bring up anyone’s
name when I approach a situation that really needs the attention of
upper management or the corporate offices unless the person
specifies it is all right, they seldom do.
There is a fear factor. Many of the associates, especially the ones
around for a while are always concerned something they say or talk
about could end in treatment that would be intolerable to the point of
quitting or management would find some way to terminate them.
I know what it is to go home and continue with the process of
wondering why someone has treated me in a way that I did not
understand or why they approached a situation in a certain way.
Walmart has changed. The entire culture has changed. One of the
worst things is that the corporate officers refuse to admit that it is no
longer Sam’s Walmart. The culture as posted on the walls of the
break rooms and back halls where the management offices are is
nothing more than propaganda. It is all a memory and nothing
more. The other day an associate with over twenty years told me
that Sam use to say, ‘First God, then family, then Walmart.’
I know that I have not always done what would be considered by
some to be the right thing or to resolve something “The Walmart
Way” when it comes to people. I prefer to do it “Sam’s Way”, but I
am not Sam and cannot tell anyone what to do, or how to do it when
it comes to the associates. I cannot call or walk into the corporate
offices and tell them that the culture is dead because the store
managers only use it to cover the walls. I cannot insist that the
corporate officers rethink the way that they are handling the stores
and the associates. I cannot force them to “respect the individual.”
I know that I have let a few people down along the way. I never
meant to let anyone down, it just happened. I do know that I have
heard stories in twelve different stores and have worked with
thirteen different store managers. I have worked for seven different
district managers and have allowed myself to deal with the corporate
offices as often as necessary to take care of the business of setting
the record straight in many different situations.
I have also lived through almost seven years of Walmart at home.
Walmart at home is listening to the Walmart associates in your
family explain what is going on at their store. It is a difficult situation
to be in at times but it has also proven to me that associates have
the same thing to say in almost every store.
My family has had the unique opportunity of moving together through
four states working for Walmart. Together we have worked in
sixteen stores and have a combined total of more than twenty-four
years with the company.
Together we have worked in almost every division within the
company at one time or another. Although I have not actually been
the specialty division manager of Optical, Pharmacy or the Photo
Lab, I have been given by store managers, the responsibility as an
assistant manager of checking in with them and seeing to it that they
are current and complying with store and company policy.
I did not even know of Walmart’s existence until 1990 and it was
many years later that I became a Walmart associate.
I am human and because of it, I have multiple reasons for sharing my
experiences, opinions and concerns with anyone who wants to
know. If good can be derived from what I write it will be enough. In
addition to completing something I just need to do for many reasons
I will at the very least be able to lay it all to rest in some form and at
least I know, that Sam knows, that someone saw it and that
someone saw what would happen far into the future.
If the company dies it is lack of respect for the individual that did it.
The associates will make or break this huge company. Sam knew
the right way and now the corporate officers need to listen to the
echo of his words and follow.
Where is Sam?
“It’s My Walmart”! The corporate offices and officers have changed
the way the company is run and the Sam’s Walmart is gone.
This is an inside look at a company and culture that is not what it
seemed to be seven years ago when I started with it in Panama
City, (Callaway) Florida as an hourly associate. The original culture
was alive and it was a wonderful place to work. It is not the same
Walmart I see now and many of Sam’s original rules for business are
gone. When I look back at the beginning of my career with the
company, it was Sam’s way. It was an exceptional retail
experiencce with an exceptional leader's culture driving it.
The corporate officers have destroyed Sam’s Walmart. It is now
Walmart, the largest retail establishment in America, in the world and
a part of Corporate America that no longer has much of the founder,
Sam Walton’s culture left in it.
Sam was an unusual man. There are many stories, many told to me
by long-term associates about him and his way of doing things. I
can only conclude when he died, the soul of the Walmart culture
began to fade. When Sam left, the life’s blood of his associates was
to slowly drain away.
The sadness would come in the form of the corporate monster that
would rise up and take over.
The “necessary evil” Sam Walton did not really care for (the
corporate offices) has grown steadily since his death into an
unfeeling paper monster. The corporate officers do not have the
same touch he had. They do not motivate the associates as he did
and the personal touch is far, far away. Occasionally you may get a
glimpse of Sam’s shadow or smile, when a manager or associate
who really cares shares with others in the stores or smiles at you as
they go about their day.
This is not easy to write without sounding as if I am bashing the
Walmart that I loved. I am not anti Walmart, actually I am far from
it, and have made every attempt to enlighten the executives and
corporate officers of the company during the past three years about
the potential hazards of alienating the associate base. I have
communicated concerns and problems to the corporate offices and
more than once I have been told not to worry about any of it.
During a conversation on the phone one day, I was told by my
divisional vice president, Jim Hayworth that I can’t fight every battle.
More than once I have been given what I would call a pep talk and
the issue I knew was important to the company and associates was
been overlooked. I have had Walmart vice presidents tell me I
should have been a preacher and yet I would have failed at it
miserably if the outcome were any indication of my way of
communicating the message that I have tried to bring.
This entire story could be just an opinionated reflection on a chapter
of my life that can be broken down and analyzed. Still the problems
are real and the answers are so simple.
Walmart is a piece of my family. A time in the life of a city girl who
grew up believing that there is a right way to do things. Brought up
to have a conscience and know the difference between right and
wrong. A time in the life of a girl who grew up, in a time and place
and with a family very much like, but also very different, from the
type of family that produced Sam Walton.
At this time, I can see how it would take many years and the
experiences that a lifetime can bring to understand it. ”If I knew
then, what I know now and could do it over”, hindsight is hindsight
and what is current is current. They definitely are mixing at this time.
The chapters and the revelations within the pages of this book are
complicated. My intention has been to tell more than the
experiences I have personally had. Still during the course of almost
seven years and three of that writing each time that I had to get a
large situation out of my system or under some kind of bearable
control. I find that one issue mixes with another so that all of this is
truly my experience in the sense all of it has touched someone in my
family, some way.
It does not mean that others lives were not changed by this work
environment or situations that have occurred in the stores that Sam
held so dear.
I could not possibly detail every situation I have come across in
seven years. To do so would turn this into a series of books and
possibly would be so long that it would never be finished.
Day by day, issues come up that grab my attention. A number of
associates have asked for my assistance in matters they have no
idea of how to handle. One associate running a department for two
years is being told even though she is not the department manager
she has to continue to do the work of one. Meanwhile the actual
department manager cannot or will not do the work. That
department manager continues to have the title and pay and the
other associate does her work.
Another associate has had her last name given out to a customer,
which is against company policy. An irate customer could be a
problem not only in the store but for an associate that has no idea
customers who are angry can get information from the store that will
be able to be used to contact them outside of the store. Even the
schedules that hang on the back hall in the stores only show the first
three letters of an associate’s last name. This way an associate’s
last name was kept private even to other associates and vendors.
Management in the store discounts the issue as not important. They
continue to make accusations against the associate and do not at all
recognize the associate's concern about the matter.
An associate tells me there is favoritism as far as job
announcements not being posted and departments being given to
friends of salaried management. Walmart policies are not foIlowed
in many stores and I have no power to do anything but listen and
direct them to the person that I believe they need to contact. Some
will, many will not out of fear of retaliation and if I tell them I will help,
many will say they are afraid they will pay in some way for
complaining or they fear their job will be lost.
On any one day I have spent half or more of my day listening to
associates that have concerns. The associates asking the most
questions are the long term, serious associates. They are the
associates that depend on there jobs for their livelihood. They have
families to support and use the money for their family’s basic needs.
I hold all conversations confidential and do not bring up anyone’s
name when I approach a situation that really needs the attention of
upper management or the corporate offices unless the person
specifies it is all right, they seldom do.
There is a fear factor. Many of the associates, especially the ones
around for a while are always concerned something they say or talk
about could end in treatment that would be intolerable to the point of
quitting or management would find some way to terminate them.
I know what it is to go home and continue with the process of
wondering why someone has treated me in a way that I did not
understand or why they approached a situation in a certain way.
Walmart has changed. The entire culture has changed. One of the
worst things is that the corporate officers refuse to admit that it is no
longer Sam’s Walmart. The culture as posted on the walls of the
break rooms and back halls where the management offices are is
nothing more than propaganda. It is all a memory and nothing
more. The other day an associate with over twenty years told me
that Sam use to say, ‘First God, then family, then Walmart.’
I know that I have not always done what would be considered by
some to be the right thing or to resolve something “The Walmart
Way” when it comes to people. I prefer to do it “Sam’s Way”, but I
am not Sam and cannot tell anyone what to do, or how to do it when
it comes to the associates. I cannot call or walk into the corporate
offices and tell them that the culture is dead because the store
managers only use it to cover the walls. I cannot insist that the
corporate officers rethink the way that they are handling the stores
and the associates. I cannot force them to “respect the individual.”
I know that I have let a few people down along the way. I never
meant to let anyone down, it just happened. I do know that I have
heard stories in twelve different stores and have worked with
thirteen different store managers. I have worked for seven different
district managers and have allowed myself to deal with the corporate
offices as often as necessary to take care of the business of setting
the record straight in many different situations.
I have also lived through almost seven years of Walmart at home.
Walmart at home is listening to the Walmart associates in your
family explain what is going on at their store. It is a difficult situation
to be in at times but it has also proven to me that associates have
the same thing to say in almost every store.
My family has had the unique opportunity of moving together through
four states working for Walmart. Together we have worked in
sixteen stores and have a combined total of more than twenty-four
years with the company.
Together we have worked in almost every division within the
company at one time or another. Although I have not actually been
the specialty division manager of Optical, Pharmacy or the Photo
Lab, I have been given by store managers, the responsibility as an
assistant manager of checking in with them and seeing to it that they
are current and complying with store and company policy.
I did not even know of Walmart’s existence until 1990 and it was
many years later that I became a Walmart associate.
I am human and because of it, I have multiple reasons for sharing my
experiences, opinions and concerns with anyone who wants to
know. If good can be derived from what I write it will be enough. In
addition to completing something I just need to do for many reasons
I will at the very least be able to lay it all to rest in some form and at
least I know, that Sam knows, that someone saw it and that
someone saw what would happen far into the future.
If the company dies it is lack of respect for the individual that did it.
The associates will make or break this huge company. Sam knew
the right way and now the corporate officers need to listen to the
echo of his words and follow.
