Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS

Greg Niemann

John Wiley & Sons, Dec 8, 2010 - Business & Economics - 256 pages

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.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - foof2you - LibraryThing

Greg Niemann a former UPS manager opens the door behind the company known as "big brown". Niemann explains UPS culture and tells us why UPS does business the way they do. One can see why UPS is successful and why most UPS divers are friendly and efficient.

Big Brown: the untold story of UPS

User Review  - Not Available - Book Verdict

This book serves as an auspicious reminder of how recognizable the UPS brand has become not only in the United States but throughout the world since its founding 100 years ago. A UPS employee for 35 ...

Contents

• THE GREATEST AMERICAN CAPITALIST YOUVE NEVER: 1886
• BIRTH OF A DELIVERY SERVICE: 1898

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.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS
• Author: Greg Niemann
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2010
• ISBN: 1118041097, 9781118041093
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / General