The Story of Nike - Review

Did you know, the original name of Nike was Blue Ribbon Sports? The first 5 pairs of the company's shoes were imported from Japan? Phil Knight was just 24 years old when he launched the athletic shoe company, Nike, a company that would shortly become a front-runner on a fast track. Named after the Greek goddess of victory, today Nike is the world's No. 1 shoe and apparel company. We bring you the story about the origins, leaders, growth and products of Nike, a paragon of technological innovation in the market for sports-inspired products and services. Jaico's Creative Companies Series explores how today's great companies operate and inspires young readers to become the entrepreneurs and businessmen of tomorrow.

Jaico Young Readers Series does what it is intended to do – inspire and motivate. The Creative Companies category of books deal with success stories that have revolutionized the world, defining new boundaries and revising the old parameters. One such success story is that of Nike.

We have all heard of Nike, surely. Nike is the market leader in shoe and sports apparel, surpassing its competitors by a big margin. Even the merger of Adidas and Reebok haven’t manage to usurp its Number One position. What exactly is the secret of its success? Is it purely luck, or is it a well-planned concoction of immaculate planning and strategics  Aaron Frisch brings forward 'The Story of Nike', the company, the brand, the success saga.

Surely, Nike wasn't born with the Big Bang, and it definitely underwent all the stages of inception, development and growth. It all started when a twenty four year old sports enthusiast, Phil Knight, dreamt of manufacturing and selling quality shoes at a lesser price. Interestingly, Nike was initially named as Blue Ribbon, and later, with the passage of time, it was re-named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.

Nike’s first order of five pairs of shoes were imported from Japan. Knight joined hands with Bill Bowerman , his former track coach at the University of Oregon, and together they dreamt of making this company big. While Bowerman promoted the shoes to college athletes, Knight did everything else. Their combined effort ensured that Nike kissed the heights of success continuously at a stretch over a period of several years.

However, life comes with its fair share of problems and worries, and thus was the case with Nike. There were several hurdles on the way, some legal, and some societal, but Nike stood firm as a rock, owing to its great management and leadership. Here was a brand that was born out of sheer will power and determination, and its co-founders left no stone unturned to make sure that it remained in the Number One spot.

The book is filled with interesting snippets and anecdotes, which cover several important milestones in the journey of this brand. It’s always good to know how to achieve success. Though there is no secret and sure shot formula to be triumphant, the constant urge to do better, and to rise above the defined standards, is what turns out to be the difference between the winner and the runner-up.

Aaron Frisch does a great job in collating the facts and presenting them in a manner that is both fascinating and stimulating. The language is crisp, and the chapters are clearly framed. Illustrations add life to the chapter, and you swim fluently with the flow.

This book is a quick read, and provides you food for thought. It ignites your passion, and the desire to achieve something bigger in life. Isn't that what we all aim for? This book can serve as the catalyst, if you read it with the desire to emulate what successful people have done. Read it, and live your life the way you want it to be.

Today I read the story of Nike. Who knows, tomorrow the world might be reading your success story.

Title: The Story of Nike

Author: Aaron Frisch

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Non-Fiction

No. of Pages: 72

Price: Rs 99

My Rating: 4/5