Reading books is one of the best ways not only to increase intelligence but also to lower stress level. Staying at home and working remotely, most of us got extra time, so why not use it for quality reading? Here are three encouraging stories recommended by the Gamingtec booklovers about the development of the world`s largest corporations: learn more about careers of CEO’s of Starbucks, Nike, and Zappos and what helped them to solve challenges at work.
1. Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time by Howard Schultz
This is a story of building a world-famous brand Starbucks and changing the daily lives of Americans. Howard Schultz, CEO of the company, shares the whole path from a small coffee store in Seattle to the worldwide chain. He is the person who accustomed Americans to drink tasty coffee and to see it as an important part of daily routine, one of the symbols of comfort. In short, Starbucks coffee became a subculture.
The book will be useful for entrepreneurs, managers, and marketers. Howard Schultz describes innovative marketing strategies that led to product excellence and employee satisfaction and reveals a key to success: “In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart. They are real and sustainable. Their foundations are stronger because they are built with the strength of the human spirit, not an ad campaign. The companies that are lasting are those that are authentic.”
2. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
This is a true story of how Nike company was developed. Its founder Phil Knight shared the story of how he started a business importing Japanese athletic shoes into the USA and became an innovator of the athletic footwear market. Phil got his business idea when he was 24 years old. He made a backpacker trip around the world and this was a starting point for his lifework.
The author tells about the challenges that he faced building Nike company. He managed with delivery delays, unclear contracts, corporate espionage, and many other difficulties. During a lot of years, he lived in debts because he invested all his profits in the company. He started the business from 50 dollars borrowed from his father and 50 years later Nike’s annual sales topped $30 billion.
Phil Knight teaches a lesson to not start anything if you aren’t passionate about it: “I’d been unable to sell encyclopedias, and I’d despised it to boot. I’d been slightly better at selling mutual funds, but I’d felt dead inside. So why was selling shoes so different? Because, I realized, it wasn’t selling. I believed in running. I believed that if people got out and ran a few miles every day, the world would be a better place, and I believed these shoes were better to run in. People, sensing my belief, wanted some of that belief for themselves.”
3. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos
Zappos is a world-known company with a passionate corporate culture that makes a lot of people wish to work there. The book Delivering Happiness details the story of the Shoesite.com website that grew into Zappos, the biggest online shoe and clothing retailer.
Toni Hsieh with the co-founders of the company focused on outstanding customer service and developed a great team of people who are happy to be themselves and do an excellent job.
“I think when people say they dread going into work on Monday morning, it’s because they know they are leaving a piece of themselves at home. Why not see what happens when you challenge your employees to bring all of their talents to their job and reward them not for doing it just like everyone else, but for pushing the envelope, being adventurous, creative, and open-minded, and trying new things?”
Read also: Three inspiring books from our corporate bookshelf
What other books written by successful CEO`s can you recommend to read? We are looking forward to receiving your comments.
