Reading Reflection No. 2

For reading reflection 2, I chose the book Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (the creator of Nike). I have only completed the first hundred pages of the book and I must say, the more I read, the more I learn. Along with being a world-renowned entrepreneur, Phil Knight is also an amazing writer. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Micheal Spence expressed this at the beginning of the book. The more I read, the more I understand why that prestigious group of individuals wrote such kind words about this memoir.

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book? Well so far, the general theme of this book, from my interpretation is vision. Phil Knight studied for his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of  Oregon and then received an MBA from Stanford University. Oh and I forgot to mention he studied Accounting at Portland State University. Even though this man was highly educated and could get a job practically anywhere he wanted within the business realm, he still felt as if there was something more than abiding by the system. He had a passion for track and wanted to provide the best shoes possible for runners. Before starting his first company Blue Ribbon, Mr. Knight traveled the world to obtain inspiration for his upcoming business endeavor, but all with the finishing goal to conduct a business deal with a Japanese shoe company. This venturesome sabbatical indeed expanded his vision.

2) How did the book, in my opinion, connect with and enhance what I am learning in ENT3003? This book has taught me that if I am going to take an entrepreneurial approach to my career, to draw inspiration from everywhere, and to make good connections. Good connections are key in business. These connections also need to be nourished with intimacy. Whether it's a text message, a phone call, letter in the mail, weekly/monthly dinner, or throwing an annual party for your valued partners, make it happen. Also, the level of intimacy needed to nourish a relationship depends on the caliber of relationship as well.

3) If I had to design an exercise for this class, based on this book, what would that exercise be? My designed exercise would be similar to the Idea Napkin assignments Dr. Pryor has assigned us but with a traveling twist. So first, we would create a business idea. The second step would be to pick a place you have always wanted to travel to, preferably outside of the United States. This step would be to gather inspiration for your business idea while immersing yourself in a foreign culture. The third step would be to incorporate what inspirations you have received from your trip and to apply them to your incubating business conception!

4) What was my biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did I learn that differed from most of my expectations? My biggest surprise in the book so far is that Phil Knight completed all of his education. Most of the big shot entrepreneurs, such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg, and Steve Jobs all dropped out of college to put more focus on their businesses. This could also be due to the times that the businesses sprung in each entrepreneurs life. Phil Knight may have just had a later business start than the other big dogs. I still think it is a great achievement to obtain the credentials that he has plus starting, in my opinion, the best athletic company on the planet.