Sam Walton, Made in America, My Story

Sam Walton was known to be industrious, always trying to get the most out of money, and had a burning ambition to succeed. This was evident in his book Sam Walton, Made in America, My Story. He was a hard working individual who helped his family through the depression, started his own business from almost nothing and changed the field of management for ever.

Sam Walton was born in 1918 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Sam obtained his work ethic from his father Thomas Gibson Walton who was a hard worker and had all sorts of jobs. He was a banker, farmer, farm-loan appraiser and an agent for insurance and real estate. He put in long hours, was honest and was known for his integrity. Sam also saw what a great negotiator he was. He also learned about hard work from his mother who had a milk business. Sam experienced earning money at the early age of seven by selling magazine subscription. He started a paper route kept it up through college. Through his early jobs, Sam learned how much hard work it took to earn a dollar. From his parents he also learned not to spend money.

Sam always set extremely high personal goals. He was very competitive and he was a motivator. He joined the Boy Scouts; he had a bet with his friends about who would be Eagle Scout first. Sam made Eagle Scout at age 13; at the time, he was the youngest in the history of Missouri.

Sam attended the University of Missouri, and received a B.S. degree in business. He soon married Helen Robson and learned much about money and finances from her father, a salesman. Helen's father managed his ranch and family business as a partnership. This is something that Sam adopted early on, and kept as his philosophy for success.

Sam wanted to o...

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...otivate your partners. Money and ownership alone are not enough

Rule 4: Communicate everything you possible can to your partners.

Rule 5: Appreciate everything your associates do for the business.

Rule 6: Celebrate your successes.

Rule7: Listen to everyone in your company.

Rule 8: Exceed your customers' expectations.

Rule 9 Control your expenses better than your competition.

Rule10: Swim upstream.

Sam Walton was a model manager for business success and personal growth. He is an inspiration to young business professionals who are just beginning their careers and to older business professionals who can use his strategies to modify their working environment.

This book has inspired me to better manage my money and investments. It has also re-emphasized what I already knew; that hard work and commitment to excellence are the ingredients for a successful life.