Bruce Peterson enters the consulting arena -- for now
Bruce Peterson enters the consulting arena -- for now
"I'm the world's worst consultant," joked former Wal-Mart produce and perishables executive Bruce Peterson. "Ninety percent of the people I have talked to, I have convinced them that they don't need me."
Mr. Peterson grew up with the produce department at Wal-Mart, having been hired in the early 1990s as head of that department when the nation's largest general merchandise chain had only four supercenters, which offer a full line of fruits and vegetables. He helped shepherd the company through an unprecedented growth cycle that now includes thousands of supercenters and the well-deserved distinction of being the largest buyer of fruits and vegetables in the United States - and probably the world.
Not surprisingly, many of the calls he takes in his new role as the principal in Peterson Insights Inc., located in Bentonville, AR, are from produce companies wanting help in increasing their business with Wal-Mart.
"I'm not interested in that," he said matter-of-factly. "When I was at Wal-Mart, I was all about [return on investment]. If I can't provide a good ROI [on his consulting contract], I'm not going to take it."
And he clearly does not want to spend his time securing Wal-Mart purchase orders from the other side of the desk.
Of course, Mr. Peterson is savvy enough to know that his Wal-Mart connection has a certain amount of cache that he cannot deny. "But I want to get beyond the marquee value [of his name and the Wal-Mart association]. I believe I can add value offering strategic solutions for the produce industry."
Mr. Peterson believes that his main value lies in helping mid-level companies jump to the next level. He said that there are a lot of produce companies and even consumer product companies that are entrepreneurial in nature and not quite sure how to grow successfully. "I think my value is helping them think through their business" and seize new opportunities.
At Wal-Mart, Mr. Peterson was constantly exposed to suppliers, many of which were doing things right and many that were not. He spent much of his career -- and certainly the last few years -- on big-ticket issues and strategic planning. Doing that for one of the larger retailers in the world certainly gives him a perspective matched by few others.
Though he is already working with some clients - and the constant ringing of the phone seems to indicate that there are many consulting opportunities out there - he is not ready to abandon the concept of full-time employment.
He left Wal-Mart largely because it was time to leave, but also because his passion is in the fresh produce industry -- and that is where he wants to spend most of his time. And he has formed this new consulting company as a way to tackle some projects that are important to him, such as the traceability of fresh produce.
But Mr. Peterson is also keeping his options open. He said if the right full- time opportunity surfaces, he would certainly give it due consideration.
Mr. Peterson grew up with the produce department at Wal-Mart, having been hired in the early 1990s as head of that department when the nation's largest general merchandise chain had only four supercenters, which offer a full line of fruits and vegetables. He helped shepherd the company through an unprecedented growth cycle that now includes thousands of supercenters and the well-deserved distinction of being the largest buyer of fruits and vegetables in the United States - and probably the world.
Not surprisingly, many of the calls he takes in his new role as the principal in Peterson Insights Inc., located in Bentonville, AR, are from produce companies wanting help in increasing their business with Wal-Mart.
"I'm not interested in that," he said matter-of-factly. "When I was at Wal-Mart, I was all about [return on investment]. If I can't provide a good ROI [on his consulting contract], I'm not going to take it."
And he clearly does not want to spend his time securing Wal-Mart purchase orders from the other side of the desk.
Of course, Mr. Peterson is savvy enough to know that his Wal-Mart connection has a certain amount of cache that he cannot deny. "But I want to get beyond the marquee value [of his name and the Wal-Mart association]. I believe I can add value offering strategic solutions for the produce industry."
Mr. Peterson believes that his main value lies in helping mid-level companies jump to the next level. He said that there are a lot of produce companies and even consumer product companies that are entrepreneurial in nature and not quite sure how to grow successfully. "I think my value is helping them think through their business" and seize new opportunities.
At Wal-Mart, Mr. Peterson was constantly exposed to suppliers, many of which were doing things right and many that were not. He spent much of his career -- and certainly the last few years -- on big-ticket issues and strategic planning. Doing that for one of the larger retailers in the world certainly gives him a perspective matched by few others.
Though he is already working with some clients - and the constant ringing of the phone seems to indicate that there are many consulting opportunities out there - he is not ready to abandon the concept of full-time employment.
He left Wal-Mart largely because it was time to leave, but also because his passion is in the fresh produce industry -- and that is where he wants to spend most of his time. And he has formed this new consulting company as a way to tackle some projects that are important to him, such as the traceability of fresh produce.
But Mr. Peterson is also keeping his options open. He said if the right full- time opportunity surfaces, he would certainly give it due consideration.
