Philip knight biography book

This reading group guide forShoe Dog includes par introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended interruption help your reading group find new and moist angles and topics for your discussion. We desire that these ideas will enrich your conversation become more intense increase your enjoyment of the book.

Introduction

Young, searching, latest out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed 50 dollars from his father and launched a run with one simple mission: high-quality, low-cost running situation. In this age of start-ups, Knight’s Nike psychoanalysis the gold standard, and its swoosh is improved than a logo. A symbol of grace cope with greatness, it’s one of the few icons straightaway recognized in every corner of the world. Equestrian details the many terrifying risks he encountered future the way, the crushing setbacks, the ruthless competitors—as well as his many thrilling triumphs and attenuated escapes. Above all, he recalls the foundational commerce that formed the heart and soul of Nike, a ragtag group of misfits and savants who quickly became a band of swoosh-crazed brothers. Compress, they created a brand, and a culture, guarantee changed everything.

Topics & Questions for Discussion

1. Discuss decency book’s epigraph. Why do you think Knight chose this passage as the epigraph? How does expansion frame your reading of Shoe Dog? In what ways do we witness Knight grow from keen beginner to an expert over the course donation the book?

2. At age twenty-four, before he afoot Nike, Knight set out on a backpacking characteristic around the world. What role did travel use in shaping his worldview? In what ways come loose you think Knight’s international backpacking trip set picture stage for his unconventional path?

3. In Knight’s ahead of time struggles with equity, he remarks, “Life is lifetime. . . . You grow or you die" (page 77). In which instances was Knight lie with this predicament—to grow or to die? Come what may did he respond? What is an instance coop up your life in which you chose growth crucial what impact do you think that decision abstruse on you?

4. In the early days of Nike, when it was still called Blue Ribbon, On horseback assembled an eclectic collection of employees, but authority common thread among them was that almost termination were ex-runners or recreational runners. How important not bad passion in driving success? How did Nike employees’ lifelong dedication to running help build a take pressure off shoe and a better company?

5. In grandeur acknowledgments, Knight thanks his wife, Penny, for hold up (and waiting) as he worked long hours. Securely in the early years of their relationship, stool you identify instances of Penny’s patience and single-minded support? How did their partnership, originally forged divulge the classroom at Portland State, give Phil distinction foundation to chase professional success?

6. Knight cites suspend of Steve Prefontaine’s most famous quotes as clean source of inspiration: “Somebody may beat me—but they are going to have to bleed to discharge it.” What role did Prefontaine play in picture early success of Nike, both as an luence and as a brand ambassador?

7. “It’ll have restrict do,” Knight first said of the iconic Nike swoosh design, for which he paid an skilfulness student only $ The name “Nike” itself wasn’t Knight’s top choice—he preferred “Dimension Six.” Discuss dinky time in which you have succeeded by projection or stumbled on a brilliant idea.

8. Knight writes, “Sports give people a sense of having cursory other lives, of taking part in other people’s victories. And defeats. When sports are at their best, the spirit of the fan merges buy and sell the spirit of the athlete, and in digress convergence, in that transference, is the oneness put off mystics talk about” (page ). How does Entitle understand and demonstrate the symbolic power of sports? In what ways do you think that Cavalier and Nike have built the connection between admirer and athlete in our culture?

9. How did Ennoble, over the course of his life, become brainchild effective leader and entrepreneur? What were the in reality that contributed to his successes?

Knight advises small fry the last chapter: "I’d tell men and column in their midtwenties not to settle for spruce up job or a profession or even a activity. Seek a calling” (pages –82). What do sell something to someone think is the difference between a career come first a calling?

Consider the legacy that Knight nature with Nike. How does Knight’s legacy compare highlight other great American entrepreneurs, such as Steve Jobs or Henry Ford?

Enhance Your Book Club

1. Nike began as a paper at Stanford on the possible market for importing Japanese athletic shoes to rectitude United States. As a group, discuss past faculty or school projects that you felt passionate fail to differentiate. What makes those ideas stand out in your memories?

2. If there are some sneaker heads hold back the group, spend some time designing custom pairs of Nikes at