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Bean passed away. Unfortunately, can't say much for this book. I am a huge fan of L.L. Bean molded the company to what it is now today.
They are well-made, durable and somewhat affordable. I recently had the chance to read this book. It would have been really an interesting book if the first few chapters were devoted to the humble beginnings of this company and the man who built it. You will also read the humble beginnings and some auto-bio of Leon Gorman and the diversification he made to make the company a global retail business. Being a regular customer of their products sparked my interest in this book.
This would have given us an insight on how L.L. Wasn't really bad but it would really have been a good and interesting read if more information of its beginnings were included. Bean products particularly their jackets and casual wear. What you will read in the book is some sort of interview from the different people who had interactions with L.L. I wanted to know the history of the man they call an "American Icon" and the company he built to the products they manufacture and sell.
Instead, what you will read is the somewhat bio of Leon Gorman, the man who took the helm of the company when L.L. Bean either directly and indirectly. 3-star for this book but 5-star for their products and customer service.
Bean. L. L. This is an honest account of an interesting company and another wonderful case study by the Harvard Business Press.
The transition from a catalog company to retail and online with varied product lines is an interesting struggle even for the best of companies and L. Leon Gorman the grandson of L. This mythological management tool so highly touted by countless business books is not shown as a catalyst to cultural change within L.L. I actually applaud Leon Gorman for including so many other direct quotes from others in this book. Bean is in a far tighter niche market than most.
Bean. It is a rarity within business profiles to have so many perspectives especially some that contradict and accuse him of being behind some of the problems. Bean provides a frank and solid analysis of how the retail company was forced to redefine itself for the modern age. On a side note: Well it can be argued that a biography like this is self-serving that is true of most business biographies and if that is your reason for not liking a business book then stop reading the genre. Other reviewers have summarized well what is covered in each of the sections so I will not be labor that but one interesting note is that there are several allusions to the failure of TQM by L.
L. These CEO's provide a valuable insight into their perspectives on how the company changed and as they are involved in the strategy it is the most valuable viewpoint to have when analyzing the company.
However, I did not need to spend the cost of a book to find out what they could easily include in the many catalogs they mail out each year. contains some interesting bits of history, but for the most part it's a "sell job" on what a great company L.L. Pretty much along the lines of Sam Walton's bio. I expected to read a biography of Bean himself and instead was treated to a study of corporate growth and how it was achieved. Bean founded. The only real significant information gleaned from the book was about Bean's "unconditional" guarantee. One can easily read the entire book in less than 2 hours. In the overall, it was dull.
For example, he discusses in detail how difficult it was for the company to change from being exclusively mail order to the retail store business, which just hadn't been their thing up till then, and many people were opposed to the idea. Although the narrative sometimes gets a little disjointed, overall this is a readable and interesting account of the making of a great American outfitter and brand name. Many departments of the company, from marketing, warehousing, inventory control, product design, and management, were required to "raise the bar" and become far more systematic and professional in their approach, rather than operating like a small-town, family-owned business as it had up till then. Gorman is quite frank in presenting the difficulties, conflicts, and internal growing pains that led to the company's strong market presence in the fickle retail world of the new millenium. He is honest about his own limitations and contributions, and how much he had to learn in order to grow into the job. But one of the great strengths of the company is that they managed to do this without sacrificing many of those values. Overall, a fine acount of how a great little company survived their growing pains into a much bigger enterprise without sacrificing body and soul to do it.
I was surprised to be there at a book signing. This book is written very well with a great story to tell. Being curious, I went to Freeport, Maine to visit the store. Bean. My Grandfather was an Adirondack Hunting/Fishing guide during the 1930s and 1940s. Very well written. It was a great experience. Gorman signed my copy, listened to my short story and off I went.
Bean and the business' evolution, this is a book for you. I was honored to meet this unbelievable person as well as his wife. He had many items in his inventory that came from L.L. If you're at all interested in L.L. The signing was for "The Making of and American Icon" written by Leon Gorman. Mr. Loads of great history and personal accounts from the people who actually worked and lived the history. I'm keeping this one as an heirloom.
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