Contented Cows Give Better Milk

by Richard Hadden, Richard Hadden

Recently released paperback version of the business title which absolutely, positively makes the case that treating people right is one of the best things any business can do for its bottom line. Contented Cows offers sound, practical advice for those who worry about things like employee recruitment and retention, and realize that their reputation as an employer is as important as bandwidth.

Genres: Business, Leadership

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Donitello · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could Southwest Airlines achieve 23 consecutive years of record revenues and profits while other airlines were hemorrhaging red ink? How could GE produce refrigerator compressors at a cost substantially less than its foreign competitors, despite an unfavorable cost differential of $15 an hour? This fascinating book suggests an answer.
In 1996, authors Bill Catlette and Richard Hadden noticed that every single one of the top 15 companies listed in Fortune’s “Most Admired Corporations” were also widely recognized as exceptional places to work! Hmmmm....

Catlette and Hadden conducted a study of such companies over a ten year period, with interesting results: Compared to their top competitors, the “Contented Cow” companies consistently enjoyed big financial gains in every important way--productivity, revenues, and growth.

The book is not without its flaws. For example, Wal-Mart is listed as one of the "Contented Cow" companies--a designation that Barbara Ehrenreich's NICKEL AND DIMED ON NOT GETTING BY IN AMERICA certainly puts the lie to. Still, CONTENTED COWS makes a strong case for the connection between sound human resource management and successful financial management--a connection far more direct than many managers think. So in my opinion this book is highly relevant for today's globalized-and-outsourced Corporate America.

[Wayne Zill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty easy read with some good ides for managers on how to treat employees overall in order to get better business results. I wonder now in this economic mess we are in now how companies in the U.S. have regressed ....

[Dorothy]

great book!! every manager should read it

[Nikunj · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times we know what needs to be done, but we wait to see how others do it. So its better to know it right..

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice on motivating employees and how a good work environment makes happier workers.