Built for Success: The Story of Nike

Built for Success

by Aaron Frisch

Describes the founding and development of the Nike company, makers of athletic shoes with the famous "swoosh" logo.

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 3 out of 5]

After writing about The Story of facebook and The Story of amazon.com, I don't have any unique way to write about "The story of Nike", the 3rd book that I have read in Jaico Young Reeders Series. This book is as much good as the first two and give main landmarks in the progress of the NIKE, a company that just got open as an interest and later went on signing Sports Superstar who were made to wear Nike produced Sportswear and shoes. Though the company saw loss for some time, but later on it went to compete with the companies like Adidas and Reebok. I liked reading about how NIKE kept on signing super powerful athletes and the way they created brands on the name of specific Superstars which made them rise higher in market.

I also liked how they went on uniquely designing their shoes by making it spongy etc and thus giving the players and sportsmen a special feeling. Many athletes went on publicly claiming that they win because of the customized product that Nike provides them. In all, this book is yet another 65 pages of description of how Nike went on becoming the Creative and Successful company it is and why people trust it so much. This book can also be purchased for your school kid. He/she will love to tell his friends about the success story of this adventure. :-)

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

[Guillermo · Rating 2 out of 5]

To little information; not too much to learn through this book

[Dhiran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of Nike by Aaron Frisch a short and simple and factual guide about Nike, from its humble beginnings to a global giant in sports shoes and apparel’s. #BookLovers #LoveToRead #atozentrepreneurship #dntjbookclub

[dalai roopdhar nanda goutham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

Crisp and short. Got to know how Nike evolved as the leading brand in the sports ecosystem.I would say it is a quick read.

[Dhruvil Bhatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It shows the journey of nike in Shoes industry froms scratch to what it is right now. Phil Knight and his journey was really inspiring

[Amrit Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Manik Saluja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my first of the series of creative companies this one authored by Jaico. This book was kind of small wikipedia of nike with some images and illustrations. Good for children as the book is quiet easy to finish (just 40+ pages)and language is also pretty simple. the part that fascinated me about nike was how it had wisely spent on advertising through the top athletes like jordan , tiger woods etc. the book is very very short(could complete in less than 1 hour) so by reading this book i could only get some glimpse of history of nike.

[Trilok Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What interests me is not the story of Nike but how it changed the entire fitness industry. It is really amazing to know that once blue ribbon company which only imported shoes is now a mammoth. I am curious to know what it does in the future.

[Tijo Philip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much biased towards the Nike. Hoped to find some voice against Sweat shops!Really small book. 30 minute read.

[Carleigh]

it was an inspirational book and told how Nike became successful.