I have referred many people to check out this book and bought it when it first came out June 21, 2021. After going through the book a few times there are so many lessons to absorb and I am able to review the ideas with Joe Coulombe Jr, the son of Trader Joe’s Founder. Joe and I have been friends for almost 20 years as we were both at Microsoft in the same group. With Joe Jr’s retirement from Microsoft we can chat more often and part of our discussions regularly are around points made by his dad.
What helps to learn from Joe is that when I read the words of Joe Sr, Joe Jr says he hears the words from his dad. As we discuss the words we visualize how to apply the ideas now. One example is the following from page 93.
“ The fundamental job of a retailer is to buy goods whole, cut them into pieces, and sell the pieces to the ultimate consumers. This is the most important mental construct I can impart to those of you who want to enter retailing.”
When I read this I reversed it to composing many pieces into a whole that has higher value meets the needs of consumers. Almost everything is either decomposition from whole into pieces or composition of pieces into wholes. Simple yet powerful. And would not have learned this lesson without reading the book and sharing it with Joe Jr.
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From the Publisher
What You'll Learn From Joe Coulombe
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A Fascinating timeline and history of a beloved store!
Full disclosure... Trader Joe's is my happy place! I'm currently heading up a project to try to get one in our town so, when I saw this book you know I just had to read it! This book gives the reader, presumably Trader Joe's fans, a behind the scenes look to how the stores came to be and a bit of a timeline for Joe Coulombe, AKA... Trader Joe. I found this book to be a fascinating behind the scenes peak into how grocery stores are run but not only that, a peek at how Joe was truly a visionary! Ahead of his time in so many ways, ahead of the trends. The first store to introduce almond butter, the way they purchased and sold wines, milk, cheeses and so many more products! Their policies regarding employees, pay and benefits... Always ahead of their competitors, and still are to this day! I have personally talked to many Trader Joe's employees... They love their job, love the company they work for, and love the pay and benefits! This book can get a bit technical at times and read a little bit more like a "how to do business book". Part business book, part memoir...If it gets a bit technical for you, I suggest speed reading through those parts to the next interesting chapter for you. Trust me, there's something in this book for everyone and I personally found it so very interesting! Now, I need to plan my next trip to Trader Joe's... Do you shop with a list or let the spirit of Joe guide you? I usually do a bit of both but, I think I'll let Joe guide me on my next trip 😁
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