Jan Groenewold
Description
Product Description
Jan Groenewold was a man who loved his job. A pharmacist employed by a national drugstore chain from the beginning of his career,
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he was deservedly proud of his reputation for professional excellence and superb record of customer satisfaction earned over two decades of dedicated service. He well might have imagined many more years of employment with the same companybut change was in the air. Walgreens was joining ranks with companies interested in the corporate bottom-line, and began installing computer systems that were ostensibly meant to increase employee efficiency and cost-effectiveness. That might have been well and good, but along with the new computer systems came an ambitious pharmacy manager who had his own personal agenda.
'David vs. Goliath' is a true story that relates the experience of one consummate professional suddenly thrust into an untenable position. The author became the champion of traditional business practices as he stood up against the indifferent establishment and its choice of a manager who saw an opportunity for personal aggrandizement through his interpretation of a company mandate.
From the Author
When and where did you begin writing? When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The concept of David vs. Goliath was born while I was moving my lawn the summer of 1998. It became a challenge to see if I could write in an entertaining and enlightening manner about the things that were causing my personal and professional life to unravel. I never considered myself a writer until I finished that first project.
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? What books have most influenced your life?
My favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut Jr., who I feel is a genius. Although he has a pessimistic view of life, he also has a great sense of humor that he uses to make his points. Ive always liked the way he chose to end certain paragraphs with a short sentence such as So it goes, as in his novel Slaughterhouse Five and Hi, Ho! in Slapstick. I have used the phrase Oh well, in my book to mark the times in my life where I failed to live up to expectations or otherwise did something stupid. Fortunately, I didnt have to use it too much.
What are you reading now? What CD is currently in your stereo?
Currently, I am reading The 12th Planet by Zecharia Sitchin. Nearly all of my CDs are of country artists. The most recent one purchased was A Place in the Sun by Tim McGraw.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished a novella that I have called Death of a Used Car Salesman. Unfortunately after finishing it I discovered the worst thing a writer can do is to open with It was a rainy evening and end with the character awakening from a dream. Oh well.
About the Author
Jan R. Groenewold received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy in 1978. He subsequently worked for the Walgreen Company for over twenty-one years. Now retired, he volunteers for a community organization that provides aid to the homeless. Born in Chicago and currently residing in Crestwood, Illinois with his wife Lorraine and dog, Sammy, he enjoys working out at a nearby health club, playing golf and attending minor league baseball games. 'David vs. Goliath' is his first book.
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