Assignment 13: Reading Reflection No.1

Book Chosen: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

1) What I was most surprised about reading Shoe Dog by Phil Knight was the attention to detail from the start of the venture to now. I was expecting the book to only include business moves and such as an overall, but instead the book included year by year analysis of important events that happened in his life. Events including not only his business but his past relationships and family ties.

The biggest thing that I admire about the Phil Knight is his passion for creating the best shoes on the market and the support of his family behind him after knowing what he can do with his business idea. Knight wouldn't stop at anything to keep his vision alive. In the beginning of the book, Knight was promised I believe 13 states in the west to sell his Americanized shoe being exported from Japan. However, another seller being supplied by the same company who agreed for Knight to have the these western states created unnecessary competition in the areas he was selling. What did Knight do? Knight took a trip back to Japan to get this all worked out. Plus, after seeing the venture unfold for creating the best shoe on the market, Knights family started to support him more and more.

What I least admire about Phil Knight was a specific instance in his life when he first started his company. When Knight first pitched his idea he recalled thinking that if he didn't get the deal, he would've been a disappointment to his family and friends back at home. I feel like having this mindset before trying to get a business deal may be effective; however, I also feel that putting that much pressure on yourself can be detrimental. The added stress could ultimately make you slip up your words and cost you the deal.

Phil Knight encountered a lot of bumps in the round including things regarding his company and his relationship. One of the bumps in the road was the instance that I highlighted earlier for when he was sorting out the whole self competition competition that the supplying company was creating. Another, was the thought of love he had for this girl in year 1964 named Sarah. Although this could've been a bad outcome for Knight, losing a possible chance at true love, Knight took something from the whole situation, being a rebel. Even though Knight had this loss, Knight continued forth with his business venture as if nothing happened. How? With the support of his sisters.

2) The competencies that Phil Knight exhibited were both legal and effectiveness that he created through connections. Knight had a previous connection with his cousin who was part of a law firm who helped Knight win the case that would allow him to sell in the western states that he highlighted or was promised. Another instance was having a connection to his old track coach Bill Bowerman. Bowerman was the driving force behind developing the design of the she to make it lighter and more fitting to the US consumer base. Back in college, Bowerman would take apart and alter his runner's shoes and experiment with them during track meets.

3) One of the parts of the reading that confused me was when Knight's bank told him that he was in trouble for having a prediction of 100% growth in his company. Like Knight at the time, I thought having a high growth prediction would be a great thing to have which is why it confused me.

4) What was the hardest obstacle that made you stop and think whether you'd be better off not doing what you're doing? I would ask this question because he had many problem in his book that I would deem very tough to handle. I want to know which was the one that almost took him over the edge.

What would be some tips on getting past that shyness that you mentioned that came with age?
The reason I would ask this question is because I feel I follow in a similar path where I was very outgoing in the earlier years but grew more shy as I became holder.

5) I think the author's opinion of hard work is pushing through your problems to get to your goals no matter how difficult they may be. I feel that I share the same opinion.