Title and author: Milton Hershey’s 7 Golden Rules by Greg Rothman
Contents synopsis:
This little book recounts the failures and remarkable success of Milton Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company and Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was born into a poor family and his father failed in everything he tried. He received a fourth grade education. Hershey made multiple attempts at business, primarily in the confectionery trade, and all failed. He tried to open a candy factory, shop, or both in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Denver, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and back to Pennsylvania. For years, success eluded him.
He finally found success after much experimentation and dogged persistence. Finally, he built the largest candy empire in the world. He founded a city that bears his name and a school to train poor children. Hershey chocolate became a household name around the world.
Hershey developed Seven Golden Rules that he believed were essential to success. Rothman explains those rules here and gives them more contemporary names. They include:
1. Thinking outside the box
2. Perseverance
3. hard work
4. Take risks
5. Take care of your workers
6. Give to live
7. Your life is your legacy
These rules will come as no surprise to those who study success-minded people throughout history. They echo the same principles of success that most successful people affirm.
Readability / Writing quality:
This is a very easy book to read. It’s small, only 43 pages, but packed with information and a fascinating story of the king of chocolate and the secrets of the success he found.
Notes on the author:
Greg Rothman is a prominent and successful real estate broker in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Three great ideas you can use:
1. Perseverance: If there is one golden rule for Hershey’s success, it is the underestimated power of perseverance. Hershey puts one failure after another in seven different American cities before finding success. He tried different types of sweets, different processes, and different packaging. Over time, he mastered a milk chocolate recipe that not only appealed to the masses, but was also easy to make in bulk and had a good shelf life. It took many “failures” before finding that success.
2. Hershey firmly believed in hard work. He found that he could achieve his goals only through hard work and observed the same from those around him. But he also enjoyed working hard. If you enjoy your job, it will be easier and you will be able and willing to work hard. If you love your job, you rarely find it difficult, and you can spend as much time as you want on it.
3. Hershey believed in taking risks. Their risks were calculated and, with more maturity and experience, they were calculated more and more. He did not take reckless risks. However, he recognized from his own life lessons that great rewards do not come to those who do not take risks.
Publication information:
Milton Hershey’s 7 Golden Rules by Greg Rothman.
Copyright: 2005 Executive Books.
General rating: Well
