Shoe Dog

The memoir offers an incredible, behind-the-scenes look at the creation and growth of Nike, one of the most iconic brands in the world. Phil Knight recounts his personal and professional journey from the early days of selling shoes out of the trunk of his car to building a global empire. His storytelling is engaging, and the book provides fascinating insights into the challenges, risks, and lessons learned along the way. What I found particularly compelling was Knight’s honesty about the struggles and setbacks he faced in building Nike. It’s a candid and inspiring account of perseverance, vision, and the drive to succeed against all odds. Shoe Dog is a must-read for entrepreneurs, business enthusiasts, or anyone interested in the story behind one of the most successful brands in history.

Phenomenal book about the importance of having a passion and chasing it. Phil Knight is passionate and he is authentic. His authenticity comes through in, “Shoe Dog,” as he candidly tells of the incredible story of building upon his passion for running by starting a shoe company and building it into something bigger than anyone imagined. The book is candid telling the good and bad in Knight’s professional and personal life from his school days, to starting a business and eventually bringing it public in the early 1980s. It is an entertaining story that goes much deeper than simply being CEO of Nike. Knight’s story is inspiring and fascinating. It is a must read for any entrepreneur.

This book gives a new appreciation for the brand reading about its roots. Well written, enjoyable to read. Phil Knight was unknowingly brilliant building his brand, icon.

Nike is one of the iconic American brands known around the world. It’s up there, if not above, brands like Levi’s, Harley-Davidson, and even Apple. It’s story, especially the early days, was one that should teach lessons to anyone starting or running a company which is why Nike’s founder, Chairman and former CEO Phil Knight wrote the book ‘Shoe Dog’ in the first place. Whether you like Nike or not, you have to respect the business that Knight and a handful of others have been able to build. It’s important to note that this is a book about the early days of Nike. While Knight does touch on some of the athletes and crisis in later years, this book is predominantly about the early days before Nike even existed. Knight is very candid about the existential crisis that he and the rest of the Nike team went through seemingly on a yearly basis. It reads at times as a classic example of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. Borrowing here to pay someone there. Going from this bank to that bank and at one point even lobbying Oregon senators for help. Knight has several pieces of advice sprinkled throughout the book too. From management (‘Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results’) to entrepreneurship (‘The cowards never started and the weak died along the way’) to life in general (‘Life is growth. Your grow or you die’). It’s ironic that one of the best business books of 2016 is a tale of globalization. The idea of globalization is currently under attack as nationalist views move into the great halls of power in the West. It would be naive to not know the story of Nike though. It’s a story of innovation, perseverance, negotiation, execution and passion. Things that should be taught at every college and high school in the West. It’s a solid read and probably a required one. It’s not often that people of Knight’s level offer up such candid insight into the begins of a global brand. With all that’s going on politically and economically, it’s a story worth knowing.

One can’t argue with success and I can’t think of a more successful person than Phil Knight. His autobiography, “Shoe Dog,” reveals secrets of his accomplishments in the development of his mega firm, Nike. I know Phil Knight’s secret of success. He uses people. He captures them with his acuity at perceiving dedication and a sense of responsibly. Then he ignores them as they attend to their job. If they stumble, despite his abhorrence of micromanaging, he demonstrates strong guidance because poor performance invariably brings a personal visit from him. He also has an aversion to most standard business practices. He makes bankers nervous with his edge of the chasm financial condition. He will saw the legs off a perceived competitor. He is unfazed by seeking money from any source that might have it. He gets in the face of employees, suppliers, sales reps, or anyone else who lets him down. In short, he knows which pile of crap that, when stirred, brings the sweet smell of success. If you think I’m being critical of Knight or his methods, you are wrong. I believe that he is incredibly intelligent, moral, and astute in his business practices. The people who may have been used should have no complaints. They have become immensely successful and prosperous as Nike has become the bellwether for success under Knight’s leadership. There are many milestones in Knight’s book. The Japanese company that originally produced his Blue Ribbon shoes gets its comeuppance for poor performance; Knight gets new, more innovative financing. The first shipment of Nike shoes, manufactured in Mexico, arrive just in time for a big show but have a crappy finish and crooked swooshes; he makes do. Bill Bowerman’s innovative waffle sole, described in Patent #284,736 as “having integral polygon shaped studs…of square, rectangular or triple cross section…[and] a plurality of flat sides which…give greatly improved traction,” provide a great boon for the fledgling company. The signing of Nike’s first professional sports star, tennis player Ilie Nastase, is the start of lucrative endorsements by universally recognized athletes. These are a few examples of the hurdles Knight sails over. He writes about his voyage with clarity, using marvelous language, as he recounts riveting personal triumphs (along with some flops). His steely-eyed pursuit of his goals is truly inspirational. I learned a great deal about him, including his respect and inspirational relationship with his father. It’s apparent that this love has much to do with his successful life’s story. It carries over to the essence and success of his team. “Shoe Dog” is an entrancing read from an icon in the business world. Yet it’s not another self-indulgent recital of personal greatness and achievement. It’s immensely personable and readable, allowing the essence of the man to shine through. It’s inspiring. Schuyler T Wallace Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

This book is a perfectly cohesive narrative telling the story of the origins, rise, perils, and ultimate success of Nike. The author portrays himself as extremely human and uncertain, and as flawed as Amy other character in the book. And yet his and his colleagues’ exceptional mature is shown repeatedly in their actions during harrowing misadventures and competitive disruptions.

This is a very well written memoir. It is inspiring and isightful. It was a page-turner, and I found it hard to put it down!

This book is definitely a must read for all entrepreneurs. Very well written, easy to read, it describes the Nike empire birth and the personality of Phil Knight. This guy deserves Respect. For some people, I heard he was/is the most hated CEO in US because of his raise, but I invite you all to read and know what the guy had been through, and how well he manage it. What I also like, this book has no boring part, goes straight to the point, no blabla to make extra pages such as many authors is this field. 5 stars for me !

Wonderful biography by the author. Worth reading by anyone interested in entrepreneurship or even as a enjoyable read.

Me encantó este libro, Phil Knight es un grán narrador, cada uno de los capítulos te envuelve en la historia de Nike que es en paralelo su historia personal, está tremendamente bien escrito y en verdad es de los pocos libros que he leído este año que disfruté tanto que no quería que terminara, en más de una noche me desvelé de lo picado que estaba en la historia. Lo he reomendado por todos lados a mis conocidos, algo que me llamó la atención es que leer la historia desde la óptica de P.K. me cambió mucho mi prespectiva de Nike y ahora veo con otros ojos la marca, es un perfecto ejemplo de persistencia, emprendedurismo, esfuerzo e ingenio. Recomiendo mucho este libro para personas de negocios, en particular marketeros así como emprendedores que quieran tener una fuente de inspiración sobre cómo es posible crear una empresa de cero hasta hacerla una de las más grandes referencias mundiales en su industria.