When I worked as the Human Resources Manager for a Home Depot store in southern California in the 90’s, “Our employees are the secret to our success” was one of our mottos. And it was true: teh thought was that anyone can build a warehouse and pass along the cost savings to the cutomer, but that a rich human element had better be there if you wanted to be successful.The fun, service-based culture envisioned by the founders was alive and well for employees and customers alike.

Then the company founders retired, were replaced by Bob Nardelli, and that motto (the philosophy, the salaries, the respect, the dedication, and the customer service) quickly faded away. I kept reassuring the worried loyal employees that Bernie & Arthur's Home Depot was still here; that the only change was in the measurement of all that great service and good will we engendered. I truly meant it. So when it became obvious that the heart was gone I, too, felt thrown under the bus. Of course Nardelli has left the Home Depot and now runs Chrysler.