Leading by Example

September 17, 2005 09:25 PM

When I first started working on the Wal-Mart project almost a year ago, I kept coming across the phrase "race to the bottom." It's so pervasive in anti-Walmart literature that I had an immediate suspicious reaction to it. Anything repeated that often surely has to be questioned.

All that phrase means is that Wal-Mart is a leader in business. It's the biggest company in the world so its actions set the tone for businesses worldwide, and, unfortunately, what it's been doing ain't so great.

So, the theory goes, if we can put pressure on Wal-Mart corporate to use their leadership position to set a good example, then other large corporations will take notice. A damn good ROI.

And it's working. Wal-Mart's leadership during Katrina has inspired an unprecedented outpouring of good will / image upgrading by corporate America.

Is it real change? Well no, it's still PR and spin right now, but it's a start.

Shocker! Wal-Mart has a lousy Christmas. (01.02.2006)
Progressives and Big Business -- allies? (12.18.2005)
Wal-Mart nears 100,000 DVDs sold! (12.12.2005)

Next Entry: Bankrupting America (09.18.2005)
Previous Entry: "It don't make no sense, does it?" (09.17.2005)

Last week's soundtrack: