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Ascend Books - M. Bloch Thomas

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160 pages

English

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Does the very thought of preparing your own taxes give you a headache? Get to know the man who is responsible for helping more than 20 million taxpayers with this dreaded annual burden. Many Happy Returns tells the compelling story of the unlikely American hero through Henry's son Tom, who worked alongside his father for nearly twenty years and interviewed him extensively for this book. As a budding entrepreneur, Bloch could barely eke out a living. Discover how he started his company from the bottom up, and get a rare look at the inner dynamics of one of the most well-known brands in America. Along the way, you'll also meet some of the people who shaped his philosophy on business and life, and receive invaluable tips on entrepreneurship from the man whose hard work, vision, and pioneering spirit set the standard for those seeking true success. As much a personal story as a business story, Many Happy Returns offers intimate details about Henry Bloch's belief in the importance of mentoring and giving back. Once you've read this story of struggle and success, you'll never feel the same about April 15th!

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Publié par	Ascend Books
Date de parution	30 septembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780990437512
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0450€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Many Happy Returns
THE STORY OF HENRY BLOCH, AMERICA’S TAX MAN
THOMAS M. BLOCH
INTRODUCTION BY HENRY BLOCH
Copyright © 2014 by Thomas M. Bloch
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher.
All logos that appear in this book are trademarks of their individual organizations and institutions and have been reproduced with permission. This notice is for the protection of trademark rights only, and in no way represents the approval or disapproval of the text of this book by those organizations or institutions.
Requests for permission should be addressed to: Ascend Books, LLC, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, 12710 Pflumm Road, Suite 200, Olathe, KS. 66062
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
ISBN: print book 978-0-9904375-0-5
ISBN: e-book 978-0-9904375-1-2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publications Data Available Upon Request
Publisher: Bob Snodgrass
Editor: Claire Reagan
Publication Coordinator: Christine Drummond
Sales and Marketing: Lenny Cohen and Dylan Tucker
Dust Jacket and Book Design: Rob Peters
All photos courtesy of The Bloch Family or H&R Block unless otherwise indicated. Every reasonable attempt has been made to determine the ownership of copyright.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Please notify the publisher of any erroneous credits or omissions, and corrections will be made to subsequent editions/future printings. The goal of Ascend Books is to publish quality works. With that goal in mind, we are proud to offer this book to our readers.
Printed in the United States of America

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Contents
Dedication
Introduction by Henry W. Bloch
Author’s Note Chapter 1: A Chip Off the Ol’ Block Childhood Lessons Without a Road Map Henry’s Deductions Chapter 2: Heaven Can Wait Off to War A Lucky Bastard Henry’s Deductions Chapter 3: Three Nobodies with an Idea A Tradition of Trailblazers Carrying on the Entrepreneurial Spirit Henry’s Deductions Chapter 4: Taking the Plunge The Plan The Start A New Partner Henry’s Deductions Chapter 5: Made in Heaven The Courtship The Union The Family Henry’s Deductions Chapter 6: A Blockbuster Idea This Tax Thing The Birth of an Industry Henry’s Deductions Chapter 7: New York, New York The Second Season Henry’s Deductions Chapter 8: Building Blocks Entrepreneurship 101 Henry’s Deductions Chapter 9: Going Places Like a Family Going Public Henry’s Deductions Chapter 10: Learning to Soar Little Details The Best Ideas Henry’s Deductions Chapter 11: Setbacks and Comebacks The Aftermath Rebounding A Dreadful Diagnosis Acquisitions and Adjustments Henry’s Deductions Chapter 12: A Bad Dream Heartbroken Henry’s Deductions Chapter 13: Gains and Losses Transitions A Transformation Mourning Henry’s Deductions Chapter 14: From the Sidelines Change in Direction Henry’s Deductions Chapter 15: A Taxing System Tax History Tax Policy The Ideal Tax System Henry’s Deductions Chapter 16: Opening Doors The Bloch School The Bloch Scholars A Debt to Society Henry’s Deductions Chapter 17: Making an Impression Giving Back Henry’s Deductions Chapter 18: And Then Some Secrets of the Successful Entrepreneur Building the Winning Team Thriving in the Changing Marketplace Creating a Responsible and Dynamic Business True Success Henry’s Deductions Chapter 19: Building a Foundation A New Bloch Hall Henry’s Deductions Chapter 20: Life Marches On A Neuroscience Institute is Born Life Without Marion A Decent Man Henry’s Deductions
Notes
Henry’s Deductions
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Index
Dedication
To the bright memory of Marion H. Bloch, a kind, beautiful, and loving woman who was a constant source of inspiration to her family. Without her, this book would never have been written.
Mom, you shall never be forgotten.
Introduction Henry W. Bloch
I never wanted a book written about me — it seemed so vain. So, when authors and publishers approached me decades ago about writing an account of my life, I declined. But, a few years ago at age 87, I decided that if some of my hard-won lessons could possibly benefit others, then why not share them. I also decided that if I was ever going to sum up my life, I ought to get on with it. Certainly I’ve had plenty of time to reach some conclusions on how it all turned out.
Further, I never expected that there would be a second edition of my biography. But here it is. Three years after the first book was published. A great deal has transpired since then, both in terms of my own life and at H&R Block. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed helping to update the story.
As a youngster, I was an average student — and believe me, I had to work hard to be average. Yet, my mother instilled in me the confidence that I could do anything I put my mind to. I’ve not forgotten my parents. They helped shape my thinking about the future and what I could accomplish, as did my experiences in World War II.
Most people’s lives seem to turn out differently from the way they plan. Mine certainly has. When I started out, I never dreamed that H&R Block would become a household name, serving one out of seven U.S. taxpayers. When Dick and I hung our first sign outside the window of our walk-up, second-story office at Westport and Main in Kansas City, I never fathomed we would someday be responsible for thousands of tax offices in which over 600 million returns would be prepared. It almost seems as if it were yesterday that we painted the words INCOME TAX on two pieces of plywood on our parents’ driveway.
In the decades since, I’ve often wondered why some people are lucky. Why, even when the odds are stacked against them, do some people refuse to quit? Is it possible to teach someone to think and act like an entrepreneur — to create economic and social change, to shape their own destiny? This book explores these and other questions.
Many people played a critical role in H&R Block’s development. I want to mention three. First and foremost is my brother Dick, whose name will appear throughout this book; he was the quintessential entrepreneur. Without him, the company would never have flourished the way it did. Not long after the company developed a national presence, Jerry Grossman became my right-hand man; as chief operating officer, he served the company skillfully and faithfully. Ed Smith, our general counsel, was much more than a lawyer; there was no one whose opinion I valued more. I miss Dick, Jerry, and Ed — and their tremendously valuable contributions and friendship.
I am grateful to my son Tom, who followed me as CEO of the company, for writing this book. During our sessions together, we reflected on the growth and development of H&R Block. I was constantly reminded that our associates and franchisees have always been at the core of the company’s success. Our primary strength was rooted in their entrepreneurial spirit. They did what was required — and then some. They knew the real boss wasn’t Dick or me; it was the customer. I hope they will read this book as a tribute to their devotion and generous contributions.
Finally, I don’t believe I would have been nearly as successful without Marion. Her love made me whole. She was a remarkable woman — selfless and kind, beautiful and loving, gentle and strong. She passed away in September of 2013. I miss Marion more than I can say as she was the center of my life.
I make no pretense that this is a complete and definitive history of H&R Block. Tom and I have selected the highlights — the urgent problems, significant goals, key accomplishments, and some unforgettable lessons. This book, which also reflects my own aspirations and philosophies, is as much a personal story as it is a business story.
When I retired from H&R Block 53 years after embarking on this journey with my brother, my good fortune allowed me to have something important to retire to — paying off my debt to society. I have done this primarily through philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. That hasn’t been a chore. It has been a pleasure.
It is said that the only constant is change. Since my retirement as chairman of the board in 2000, I’ve observed the tax preparation industry evolve at an increasingly fast pace. Even in the face of accelerated change, great companies still manage to place at the center of attention understanding, anticipating, and meeting customer needs. I would like to think that this will always be H&R Block’s secret weapon.
I have achieved much more than I ever dreamed possible. When it comes right down to it, I feel that I owe most of my success to luck. There is, I suppose, a causal relationship between good fortune and hard work. As Thomas Jefferson said, “I find the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
Everyone has a dream. If yours is to love what you do and to leave the world a better place, I applaud your aspiration. I encourage you to work hard — so that luck will be on your side, too.
Many happy returns.
Author’s No