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Bernie Marcus

Home Depot, Cofounder
EPISODE 119

Do what’s great for customers

Today I’m joined by Bernie Marcus, the cofounder of The Home Depot. At 93 years young, Bernie is an absolute icon. The Home Depot broke the mold for retail and is continuing to succeed where lots of other retailers are struggling. And you can really understand why when you spend time with Bernie. From the very beginning, he made decisions based on what’s great for the customer.

Because for Bernie, customer service isn’t just a transaction. It’s a relationship. If you want to succeed in your work, you’ve got to take care of your customers and do right by them. And this conversation is gonna get your wheels turning with ideas to do just that. And it’s gonna have you laughing, because, I gotta tell ya, Bernie has got some incredible stories!

So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – the one and only Bernie Marcus.

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More from Bernie Marcus

Listen to your people then implement their great ideas
When you truly listen to your employees, they’ll give you great ideas you would not have thought of on your own. When you implement those great ideas, celebrate the person who gave them to you and enjoy the success together!
Too much bureaucracy hinders success
If your company is overcome by bureaucracy, it will strangle decision making. Work to reduce barriers and keep things moving forward.
Model the behaviors you want to see more of
Every leader casts a shadow. If there’s a behavior you want to see more of in your organization, go out of your way to model it. People will follow your example.
The power of cultivating customers
Take a long-term approach with your customers. By prioritizing what's good for them, you’ll create customers who are loyal for life.

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Short (but powerful) leadership advice from entrepreneurs and CEOs of top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Target, Starbucks and more.

Clips

  • Great ideas come from unlikely places
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Too much bureaucracy hinders success
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Listen, then incorporate what you hear
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Spend time with customers to find breakthrough ideas
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Create meaningful incentives for your team
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • The power of cultivating customers
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Model the behaviors you want to see more of
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • What NOT to do when you make a mistake
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder
  • Find the balance between criticism and recognition
    Bernie Marcus
    Bernie Marcus
    Home Depot, Cofounder

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