Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS

by Greg Niemann

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787994020
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/26/2007
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	976,677
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

The Author

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.

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Table of Contents

Introduction.

1. The Cult of the UPS Driver.

2. The Greatest American Capitalist You've Never Heard of.

3. Birth of a Delivery Service: The Emerald City.

4. The First Big Brown: An Environment for Opportunity.

5. Determined Men Can Do Anything: New City, New Name.

6. Job for a Lifetime.

7. Going National.

8. Advancing Social Responsibility.

9. The World's Ninth-Largest Airline.

10. Brown Around the Globe: Beyond the United States.

11. A Leader in Logistics: The Decision to Go Public.

12. The Legacy of Jim Casey.

Appendix A. UPS Glossary of Terms.

Appendix B. UPS Worldwide Facts.

Bibliography.

Acknowledgments.

About the Author.

Index.