Wal-Mart Stores Inc. vows to be a “company of the future” through cost-saving initiatives ranging from electronic prescriptions to perhaps a place in the hybrid car market one day.
“We live in a time when people are losing confidence in the ability of government to solve problems,” said Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart. “But at Wal-Mart, we don’t see the sidelines that politicians see. And we do not wait for someone else to solve problems that might hurt our business or affect our customers in a negative way.”
When U. S. regulators denied Wal-Mart's request to open a bank, Wal-Mart went to Mexico and opened one there instead.
I don't think this leaves much question as to how they want to be the World's one business. They are a company that has proven if they don't get their way, they will either sue to try to force a local municipality to do what they want. Or in the case of the bank issue (from a couple years ago) move go out of the country to do what they want.
Scott said he also has talked to the heads of major auto manufacturers to see if there is a place for Wal-Mart in the hybrid electric or plug-in electric car market. He also plans to work more closely with suppliers to make sure they meet specific environmental, social and quality standards, and to address concerns on product sources.
- KC Star
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now.
Truthfully, I don't know a whole lot about big business and I sure don't know how things will evolve over time with Wal-Mart and World Dominance. What I try to think about are all of the positive changes that big businesses have the opportunity to make. I can't find the exact link, but Jillian Michaels (from Biggest Loser fame) said in one of her podcasts that she works with Wal-Mart to implement healthy employee programs. She also mentioned that Wal-Mart accounts for something like 60% of Pepsi Co.'s sales (sorry I can't find a reliable reference right now). If Wal-Mart said to Pepsi, "We want you to use sucralose artificial sweetener in your products. No more aspertame. Otherwise, we don't buy from you," Pepsi would get right on that! That would be a huge change! What if Wal-Mart told companies that they wouldn't buy products made with high-fructose corn syrup? This is a simple example of some of the good that Wal-Mart and other big businesses could make, but there must be others right? And as for being the world's one company? I don't know about that... might be their goal, but I used to think that was Bill Gates' and Microsoft's goal. Then Bill went and retired! :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your way to becoming debt free!