Big Brown The Untold Story of UPS

by Niemann, Greg

• ISBN13: 9780787994020
• ISBN10: 0787994022
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-02-26
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Although its brown vans are on every block and its delivery service reaches more than 200 countries, UPS is among the world's most underestimated and misunderstood companies. For the first time, a UPS "lifer" tells the behind-the-scenes story of how a small messenger service became a business giant. Big Brown reveals the remarkable 100-year history of UPS and the life of its founder Jim Casey-one of the greatest unknown capitalists of the twentieth century. Casey pursued a Spartan business philosophy that emphasized military discipline, drab uniforms, and reliability over flash-a model that is still reflected in UPS culture today. Big Brown examines all the seeming paradoxes about UPS: from its traditional management style and strict policies coupled with high employee loyalty and strong labor relations; from its historical "anti-marketing" bias (why brown?) to its sterling brand loyalty and reputation for quality.

Author Biography

Greg Niemann, a Southern California travel and outdoors writer, followed the classic UPS career for almost thirty-five years, rising from loader, to driver, to management. He was West Coast editor of the company’s employee publications and was often a liaison for top management. While at UPS, Niemann was accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators and named IABC Communicator of the Year.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Cult of the UPS Driver

The Greatest American Capitalist You've Never Heard of

Birth of a Delivery Service: The Emerald City

The First Big Brown: An Environment for Opportunity

Determined Men Can Do Anything: New City, New Name

Job for a Lifetime

Going National

Advancing Social Responsibility

The World's Ninth-Largest Airline

Brown Around the Globe: Beyond the United States

A Leader in Logistics: The Decision to Go Public

The Legacy of Jim Casey

UPS Glossary of Terms

UPS Worldwide Facts

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.