Good Company

by Arthur M Blank

Overview

A WALL STREET JOURNAL AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Featuring an introduction by President Jimmy Carter

The Home Depot cofounder and owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United shares a vision and a roadmap for values-based business.

Arthur M. Blank believes that for good companies, purpose and profit can-and should-go hand in hand. And he should know. Together with cofounder Bernie Marcus, Blank built The Home Depot from an idea and a dream to a $50 billion-dollar company, the leading home improvement retailer in the world. And even while opening a new store every 42 hours, they never lost sight of their commitment to care for their people and communities. In fact, in 2001, The Home Depot was voted America's most socially responsible company.

Blank left The Home Depot that same year with a burning question: Could the values and culture that made that company great be replicated? Good Company takes readers inside the story of how he did just that-turning around a struggling NFL team, rebooting a near-bankrupt retail chain, building a brand-new stadium, revitalizing a blighted neighborhood, launching a startup soccer club, and more.

"When good companies put the wellbeing of their customers, their associates, and their communities first, financial success will follow," Blank writes. "The entrepreneurs and business leaders of today and tomorrow have an extraordinary opportunity: to prove that through upholding values we can create value-for the company, for the customer, and for the community."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062974921
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/15/2020
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	224,193
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Arthur M. Blank is a co-founder of the The Home Depot, which he retired from in 2001. He is currently the owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, MLS's Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, PGA TOUR Superstore, Mountain Sky, West Creek and Paradise Valley Ranches, and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. A successful businessman, community leader, and philanthropist, Blank lives in Georgia with his family. 

Table of Contents

Foreword President Jimmy Carter ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Family Business 7

Chapter 2 Everything Changes but the Values 23

Chapter 3 You're Only as Good as Your People 45

Chapter 4 The Best Think Tank Any Company Could Ask For 63

Chapter 5 Going the Extra Two Inches 79

Chapter 6 Good Companies Make Good Neighbors 105

Chapter 7 You Always Get More Than You Give 131

Chapter 8 We Want the Wheels to Wobble (a Little) 149

Chapter 9 Walk in Their Shoes 181

Chapter 10 From Protest to Progress 199

Epilogue You Only Pass Through Once 219

Photo Credits 228

Notes 229

Index 233

Editorial Reviews

Good Company is a breath of fresh air. This read will resonate with business leaders, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and even parents who seek to find the beauty in life and work combined.  As Arthur Blank shares what it means to be a true servant leader, never trading the pursuit of good for the pursuit of profits, he inspires us all to seek our true passions, lead with integrity and earn our place as leaders by putting the needs of others first.”  — Roz Brewer, COO and group president, Starbucks Coffee Company

“In GOOD COMPANY, Arthur Blank proposes that the secret to a successful business is making people happy—not just their customers but their employees as well. It’s a lofty aspiration, but the advice he shares in these pages is solidly grounded in things that do indeed bring people joy: meaning and purpose, giving back to others, and human connection. This inspiring, practical book has the potential to truly change lives—in the workplace and beyond. I hope it will be widely read and taken to heart.”  — Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast

“The greatest gift received from Arthur and his co-founders was the culture established at Home Depot. I’ve watched Arthur transform companies and communities- all based on those very same values. GOOD COMPANY is a must read for any leader to learn from his experiences and be inspired by his example." — Craig Menear, Chairman, CEO, and president, The Home Depot

“We in Atlanta were just blessed when Arthur came here with his courageous vision for business. He knows that the solutions that work are the ones where everybody wins. That’s one of his secrets: He’s mastered the art of the win-win solution.”   — Andrew Young, Chairman, Andrew J. Young Foundation

“Arthur M. Blank, one of the most successful business leaders in the world gives you the secrets of extraordinary achievement in his book, Good Company.  He shares in his own unique way how businesses thrive when there is shared vision, emotional bonding, and complementary of strengths. If you want to actualize yours or your business's full potential, this is the book to read.”   — Deepak Chopra, MD, author of Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential

“The most important human values apply in any circumstances, as Arthur Blank shows in GOOD COMPANY. Whether you’re on the football field or in the boardroom, what matters is how you treat people. I’ve always admired Arthur for his integrity, his love of the game, his outstanding leadership, and the respect he shows to everyone around him. This book offers an invaluable window into the values that have driven his success and made him the person he is.”  — Peyton Manning, former NFL quarterback

“Arthur’s guiding truth is timeless: humbly listening to and learning from customers and associates in any business leads to lasting connections that forge successful companies that also become trusted, valued citizens of the communities they serve.” — Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

From the Publisher

Arthur M. Blank, one of the most successful business leaders in the world gives you the secrets of extraordinary achievement in his book, Good Company.  He shares in his own unique way how businesses thrive when there is shared vision, emotional bonding, and complementary of strengths. If you want to actualize yours or your business's full potential, this is the book to read.”  

Deepak Chopra

The most important human values apply in any circumstances, as Arthur Blank shows in GOOD COMPANY. Whether you’re on the football field or in the boardroom, what matters is how you treat people. I’ve always admired Arthur for his integrity, his love of the game, his outstanding leadership, and the respect he shows to everyone around him. This book offers an invaluable window into the values that have driven his success and made him the person he is.” 

Peyton Manning

The greatest gift received from Arthur and his co-founders was the culture established at Home Depot. I’ve watched Arthur transform companies and communities- all based on those very same values. GOOD COMPANY is a must read for any leader to learn from his experiences and be inspired by his example."

Craig Menear

In GOOD COMPANY, Arthur Blank proposes that the secret to a successful business is making people happy—not just their customers but their employees as well. It’s a lofty aspiration, but the advice he shares in these pages is solidly grounded in things that do indeed bring people joy: meaning and purpose, giving back to others, and human connection. This inspiring, practical book has the potential to truly change lives—in the workplace and beyond. I hope it will be widely read and taken to heart.” 

Laurie Santos

Arthur’s guiding truth is timeless: humbly listening to and learning from customers and associates in any business leads to lasting connections that forge successful companies that also become trusted, valued citizens of the communities they serve.

Jamie Dimon

We in Atlanta were just blessed when Arthur came here with his courageous vision for business. He knows that the solutions that work are the ones where everybody wins. That’s one of his secrets: He’s mastered the art of the win-win solution.”  

Andrew Young

Good Company is a breath of fresh air. This read will resonate with business leaders, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and even parents who seek to find the beauty in life and work combined.  As Arthur Blank shares what it means to be a true servant leader, never trading the pursuit of good for the pursuit of profits, he inspires us all to seek our true passions, lead with integrity and earn our place as leaders by putting the needs of others first.” 

Roz Brewer