An overview about the book The Shoe Dog.

1. SHOE DOG
A memoir by the creator of Nike
By:- Phil Knight

2. “A refreshingly honest reminder of what the pathto business success really looks like. Here Knight opens up in a
way few CEOs are willing to do. I don’t think Knight sets out to teachthe reader anything. Instead, he
accomplishes something better. He tells his story as honestly as he can. It’s an amazing tale.”
- Bill Gates

3. An Overview…
 A New York Times Bestseller, Shoe Dog depicts the
story of the establishment of the company Nike & its
journey between1962to 1980.
 Phil is purely honest & reminds the readers that the
path of success is messy, chaotic journey riddled
withmistakes, infinite sacrifices and struggles.
 Through his journey of establishing Nike from
scratch to making it success, he had to face many
ups and downs along the way.
 The business almost went under several times, but
Knight always managed to overcome and save it at
the last moment.

4. About the Author
 One of the world’s most influential business executives,
PhilKnight is the founder of Nike, Inc.
 Net worthUS$ 17.36billion, as of 2021.
 He served as CEO of the company from 1964 to 2004, as
board chairman through 2016, and he is currently
ChairmanEmeritus.
 Known for his contributions to philanthropy in education
& other charities.
 Hismemoir, titled Shoe Dogwasreleased in 2016.
 Currently, he lives in Oregon withhis wife, Penny.

5. Nike
 Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil
Knight & Bill Bowerman.
 In initial few years, it sold shoes manufactured by a
Japanesecompany named Onitsuka.
 Went on to sell its own shoes after a fallout with the
Japanesecompany.
 Officially became Nike, Inc. in 1971.
 Today, it is one of the most popular Athletic Footwear
& Apparel company.
 As of 2021, it generates a revenue of US$17.36 billion.

6. SUMMARY

7. 1962-64
• Philsets out on a worldtrip.
• Travels to Hawaii along with
carter.
• Meets Onitsuka executives
in Japan, tells them he is
from Blue Ribbon, asks to
send samples.
• Boweman is impressed,
strikes a partnership, 300
pairs of shoes ordered.
1965-67
• 8000 sales in the 1st year
which doubled next year.
• 1st retail store open in Santa
Monica.
• 3 year contract signed with
Onitsuka.
1968-70
• Phil quits his job at PWC, joins
Portland State University as Ass.
Prof.
• Quits job & begins working full
time for Blue Ribbon, gets
married.
• Becomessuspiciousof Onitsuka.
• Flies to Japan- seeks a 3 year
contractof extension.

8. 1971-73
• Kitami comes to the US wants
Onitsuka to takeover Blue
Ribbon, threatens to terminate
theagreement.
• Phil gets into an agreement with
another company. The brand is
named Nike ( the goddess of
victory).
• Shoes from the new company
werenot thegoodquality.
• Prefontaine is signed to endorse
Nike.
1974- 76
• Onitsuka files a lawsuits on
Blue Ribbon.
• Blue Ribbon sued Onitsuka
in the U.S and wins the
case.
• Prefontaine dies in an
accident.
• Due to company’s financial
crises Phil opted the option
of goingpublic.
1977- 80
• Nike experiments with the
air soles, signs basket ball
players.
• Sales increased, Phil thinks
to expand to apparel ,
accessoriesetc.
• Decision to manufacture in
China.
• Nike in conflict with the
Feds.

9. Conclusion
There were several learnings that can be seen in certain
chapters. Some of themare:
 Don’t shy away to acceptyour shortcomings.
 Have crazy ideas: research, test and implement. The
crazyidea turns to successful business.
 Building a winning culture.
 Be passionate about something. Passion pulls abilities
we didn’t knowwe ever had.