Who among us, did not grow up with a Sears store down the road in whatever town we grew up in?
Sears, was the iconic retailer for all of America for over 100 years.
The author, Donald Katz, tells a wonderful insightful story, of the rise, and ultimately the fall of Sears.
For so many of the years, Sears, could afford to and did offer wonderful bonuses and incentives, retirement plans, severance pay, luxury travel aboard private jets for the CEOs, and seem to have an endless supply of revenue and monies to keep things going.
But, along the way, Sears became content, bloated, very top-heavy, and seemingly “fell asleep at the wheel” as competitors such as Kmart, Walmart, Sam’s Club’s and so many others, came in and ate away at their territorial strength that they held for so long. And then of course, along comes the Internet, and that basically closed the doors on Sears.
A great story, if you like commerce, and retailing, and what makes our economy work.
Sears, built the great “American middle-class” and provided just about everything the average American family needed to set up a household.
Sears is no more now, and that’s a shame. It was part of the community and societal fabric in just about every large and small town throughout America.
Great book and I enjoyed it very much!
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
