Tap into the power of numbers

John Bachmnn’s vision
grew Edward Jones into
a financial powerhouse


John Bachmann changed Edward Jones.
He started there as a lowly messenger.
He wrote his boss Ted Jones a visionary memo:
Take advantage of our unique business model.
Multiply neighborhood brokerage offices.
A single broker serving individual investors.
“We had 100 offices,” Bachmann said.
“I thought we should have 1,000.”

Bachmann rose through the ranks.
In 2003, he retired as the firm's managing partner.
Fortune named it Best Place to Work . . . twice.
John left it with more than 8,100 branch offices.
He still wants to see Jones with 25,000 branches.

We chatted before his recent speech.
We found we had friends in common.
That’s always a connection maker.

John brought a vital message to us:
Chamber leadership is vital to communities.
It is more than networking for more business.
It is about improving your community

John cited St. Louis as an example.
At one time, the downtown was in trouble.
At 5 p.m. everybody went home.
Downtown was dangerous after dark.

The chamber rallied business leaders.
They partnered with each other.
They cleaned up downtown St. Louis.
It’s now a safe place to congregate after dark.
Only a strong chamber can work such miracles.

John’s advice is elegantly simple.
Tap into the power of your numbers.
Rally the troops. Share the vision.
Make a commitment. Tackle the impossible.
Together we can do what we can’t do alone.
That will work in your community.
It will work in your church or civic group.
It will work in your business, too.
Make it work . . . for everyone.

Special offer for my readers

We’re raising money for literacy tutoring.
Our immediate goal is a modest $10,000.
Our local tutoring program needs it.
Proceeds from sales of my books goes to this cause.
Here’s an irresistible (I hope) offer:
Autographed copies of my books at only $20 each.
• “Lead People, Manage Things” on leadership.
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This book contains 22 great success stories.
You’ll learn 22 entrepreneurs’ success secrets.
For a $50 donation, you get all three books.
These books will enrich your life. Won’t you help?
Just email me at JerryBellune@yahoo.com