The Wal-Mart Effect podcast
Todd Sattersten from 800.CEO.READ recently recorded a conversation with Charles Fishman, Fast Company senior writer and author of THE WAL-MART EFFECT. Fascinating stuff.
If you are at all interested in how Wal-Mart plays the retailing game … download the podcast. Charles is a great conversationalist and his stories about Wal-Mart are as captivating as they are informative.
John - wow, you weren't joking. That was terrific! Todd used the word fascinating a few times during the interview - good choice of words. Everybody needs to hear this podcast. Thanks for making us aware.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis Smith | February 01, 2006 at 11:14 AM
How does one "download it?"
Posted by: Tom Asacker | February 02, 2006 at 02:37 PM
WHAT IF WAL-MART DIVERSIFIES?
Some folks these days think Wal-Mart is too big, too unfriendly to its workers and/or too reliant on cheap goods and services from China. Well, whether you like Wal-Mart or not, you have to admit one thing: the company makes money – and lots of it!
I’ve read they’re trying to get into banking, real estate, minor emergency clinics and other business ventures. The scary thing is they’ll probably do well in those areas, too. But can you imagine what would happen if Wal-Mart ventured some other non-traditional businesses?
For instance, what if Wal-Mart began operating casinos? You’d have cocktail waitresses walking around wearing those little blue vests that say “May I help you?” on the back. And the slogan for the Casino Wal-Mart’s TV and radio spots:
“The Loosest Slots…Always!”
And what if Wal-Mart ventured into the senior-living industry – you know, nursing homes and retirement centers? Wal-Mart could offer its senior-citizen residents ten-percent discounts on monthly rent in exchange for working 80 hours a week at the store. It’s a match made in heaven!
Finally, I have two key pieces of evidence that prove Wal-Mart is already heavily involved in a project to produce the first human clone:
The first clue is that they have all the money a scientist could possibly need to fund this type of project; and
The second clue can be found inside a typical Wal-Mart store. One look at some of the “customers” there and you’ll be convinced:
Some of those people just can’t be human!
[Note: More humorous articles like this one can be found at my blog: http://www.bobmccartyhumor.blogspot.com].
Copyright © 2006 Bob McCarty, L.L.C.
Posted by: Bob McCarty | February 02, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Finally... critical analysis of WMT that isn't a screed or a defense! Rational analysis!
There is no doubt that Wal-Mex has transformed the Mexican economy as well. Does Fishman get into data of Mexican stores in the book? What other analysis is there in international markets?
Killer podcast! Awesome!
Posted by: Mike H. | February 03, 2006 at 11:47 AM