The Soul of the Firm - Hardcover

C. William Pollard, chairman of the $3 billion ServiceMaster Company, believes that a commitment to people--employees as well as customers--is the real reason for his worldwide corporation's continuous growth in revenue and profit during the past quarter century. In The Soul of the Firm, he explains just how that bond has been forged and how it is now manifested in a company that claims more than 200,000 employees and more than six million customers in 31 countries.

"Bill Pollard speaks with a voice of experience. His book deals with the practice of leadership- over time, under pressure, living with reality, getting the desired results. The Soul of the Firm tells how ServiceMaster has successfully grapple with the key issues of leadership. That is why it is so worthwhile." -Max De Pree
"Bill Pollard demonstrates in great detail ServiceMaster's value system, a system that emphasizes the importance of the dignity of the individual. Readers will benefit greatly from Bill's wisdom. This is an important book that should be widely read." -W. Earl Sasser, James L. Heskett, and Leonard A. Schlesinger
"Rarely are we given an open and generous look inside the corporate leader who is the embodiment of the mission and values of the enterprise. . . A powerful book." -Frances Hesselbein
"A fascinating story about servant leadership and an extraordinary culture at ServiceMaster." -Richard L. Thomas
"A remarkable book. . . . ServiceMaster invented "lea production" for the service sector by listening to and empowering its employees on the front line. This book is the moving story of the wellspring of that culture and philosophy, told by a reflective, modest corporate leader." -Elmer Johnson