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Shoe Dog by Phil Knight is the story of @Nike - how he went from selling shoes from a car trunk to $36B in revenue.
Here are my learnings from reading the book recently.
A thread
Here are my learnings from reading the book recently.
A thread
1/ Embrace and chase your Crazy Idea. 
We all have our crazy ideas, just that they never see the light. Phil had the same idea, but he decided to pursue it (without support from anyone). Today, this idea is better know as Nike Inc.
We all have our crazy ideas, just that they never see the light. Phil had the same idea, but he decided to pursue it (without support from anyone). Today, this idea is better know as Nike Inc.
2/ Good things take time. 
Phil's first order of shoes from Japan arrived a year late. Yes, a year. How many times have we waited patiently for something to happen for that long? Would you be able to wait that long for things that matter to you?
Phil's first order of shoes from Japan arrived a year late. Yes, a year. How many times have we waited patiently for something to happen for that long? Would you be able to wait that long for things that matter to you?
3/ Explore and discover the world. 
Expanding your world view cannot happen from just your mobile phone. Phil took the time out to travel around the world before doing anything, and his travels and exposure paid off massively later.
Expanding your world view cannot happen from just your mobile phone. Phil took the time out to travel around the world before doing anything, and his travels and exposure paid off massively later.
4/ Either grow or die 
For more than 8 yrs straight, the company doubled sales every year while taking on monumenal risks. His idea was simple: If you don't grow faster than what is humanly possible, you will fail to matter.
For more than 8 yrs straight, the company doubled sales every year while taking on monumenal risks. His idea was simple: If you don't grow faster than what is humanly possible, you will fail to matter.
5/ Dare to take risks and break rules 
Phil lied about having an east coast office, and dared to double orders from his source with every order - on debt. This is not because he had the demand, but because he dared to put his life on the line.
Phil lied about having an east coast office, and dared to double orders from his source with every order - on debt. This is not because he had the demand, but because he dared to put his life on the line.
6/ If it's important, you'll find the time 
Phil juggled between his accountant job, growing the company and being in the reserve forces for the army for years. All this while also taking out time for his family. Yes, his day also had just 24 hours.
Phil juggled between his accountant job, growing the company and being in the reserve forces for the army for years. All this while also taking out time for his family. Yes, his day also had just 24 hours.
7/ Mentorship is crucial 
Phil's mentor and partner, Coach Bowerman, laid the foundations for shoe design and life management for him and for Nike. Without this mentor, Nike would never be the mammoth it is today.
Phil's mentor and partner, Coach Bowerman, laid the foundations for shoe design and life management for him and for Nike. Without this mentor, Nike would never be the mammoth it is today.
8/ Frugal growth still wins 
Inspite of having multi-million dollar sales, their early offices were mostly in shambles. Why? Each penny was invested back in growth, not in comforts or luxuries. Each penny saved has indeed paid off today
Inspite of having multi-million dollar sales, their early offices were mostly in shambles. Why? Each penny was invested back in growth, not in comforts or luxuries. Each penny saved has indeed paid off today
9/ When things hit rockbottom, the only way is up 
Phil was screwed over by their supply partner, thrown out of two banks, sued by the govt for $25 Million - and of course, he didn't give up. Keep moving forward - it's the only way.
Phil was screwed over by their supply partner, thrown out of two banks, sued by the govt for $25 Million - and of course, he didn't give up. Keep moving forward - it's the only way.
10/ Build a rock solid team & culture 
Once you're big and growing fast, you cannot define and control things. Thus it is important to have the A-team of employees, investors, and partners to keep you going. Nike had that and so they made it.
Once you're big and growing fast, you cannot define and control things. Thus it is important to have the A-team of employees, investors, and partners to keep you going. Nike had that and so they made it.
11/ Innovation is everything 
There was not a single moment in Nike's history when they were not innovating. From soles, to shoe linings to air soles and what not - innovation is the heart of growth. If you don't change, you become irrelavant.
There was not a single moment in Nike's history when they were not innovating. From soles, to shoe linings to air soles and what not - innovation is the heart of growth. If you don't change, you become irrelavant.
This list is not exhaustive. I invite you to add to the list below! P.s. yes I know, I was late in reading the book
Thanks to @palakzat for encouraging me to write this :)
Thanks to @palakzat for encouraging me to write this :)
