Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

Probably one of the most entertaining business books I've ever read. Yvon's insights are thoughtful, funny, spot-on accurate and a delight. I often suggest that every CEO should have a fundamental role model...their ideal leader. Mine is Yvon Chouinard. Take, as an example, this piece of pithy brilliance: "You have to be true to yourself; you have to know your strengths and limitations and live within your means. The same is true for a business. The sooner a company tries to be what it is not, the sooner it tries to 'have it all,' the sooner it will die." Or this: "The best-performing firms make a narrow range of products very well. The best firms' products also use up to 50 percent fewer parts than those made by their less successful rivals. Fewer parts mean a faster, simpler (and usually cheaper) manufacturing process. Fewer parts mean less to go wrong; quality comes built in. And although the best companies need fewer workers to look after quality control, they also have fewer defects and generate less waste. In business heaven we shall all have businesses making simple products like WD-40, or bottled water that we could sell for two to four times as much as gasoline." Would that every technology company could internalize that wisdom... And this, from a series of ads Patagonia ran in 2004: "FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY Who are businesses really responsible to? Their customers? Shareholders? Employees? We would argue that it's none of the above. Fundamentally, businesses are responsible to their resource base. Without a healthy environment there are no shareholders, no employees, no customers and no business." and finally, quoting the great French Romantic writer and politician, Francois Auguste Rene Chateaubriand: "A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." I think I'm going to make this required reading for every CEO who wants me to work with them.

Insomuch as this is a memoir and not a business management book, it's fantastic! The first part is pretty much all about the Yvon's early life (which makes me feel like less of a man lol), the history of Chouinard Equipment (future Black Diamond) and Patagonia, and the history of a few of it's offshoot sister companies. The 2nd part of the book describes various philosophies that Patagonia tries to employ in it's practices and dealings. I found this history particularly interesting, especially given that Yvon had absolutely no business background, and throughout the book is very upfront on this fact. Describing the (sometimes comical) struggles he encountered, restructures needed and addressed, and culture developed, was very enjoyable. Insomuch as the philosophies section is concerned, if you're familiar at all with Patagonia and it's dealings this will be pretty straightforward to you. I did enjoy the HR/benefits section, and was intrigued about Chouinard's take on innovation (borrowing, stealing, repurposing ideas ='s fast and effective) vs. invention (can be great, but takes time, is unpredictable, and doesn't guarantee value added vs. just cool). I think it was telling though that by far the longest section of this book in this section is the Environmental Philosophies section. Everyone who knows Patagonia knows this is important to them, and I thought it was telling of them to give it so much space in his book. Some of the figures - if somewhat outdated - are interesting (and scary). If you're looking for a 'how to do business [like Patagonia]' rule by rule book, this probably wouldn't be the best starting point. For that, maybe try Yvon's other book, The Responsible Company. However, if you accept that this is a memoir about a man and the development of a company that cares deeply about it's value and understands the struggles therein, this book is great!

Let my people go surfing is the part biography and part company memoir by Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard. Born to French-Canadian parents, he moved to California at an early age. Always one connected to the outdoors, he would usually work so he would have enough to pay for his travels and climbing. He eventually founded a small firm that made climbing equipment, and that evolved into Patagonia. Global warming is one of the biggest threats to mankind today. Despite the magnitude of the issue, governments and businesses are doing very little to combat the problem. Patagonia does everything it can to do its part. From scrutinizing parts in their clothing to subsidizing electric cards their employees purchase, they go above and beyond the norm held by most companies. Not only are these things good for the environment, but they're great for profits. Patagonia usually ends up making their money back in energy upgrades within a few years, sometimes sooner. If only more businesses could make the conscious effort to investigate energy savings, they would find an arena littered with profit. Chounaird is fiercely independent. He openly criticizes the government, big business, and energy firms. He rightly points out that if everyone took take the long view, we would have a better society for workers, customers, and the environment. He lays out the various Patagonia philosophies in the second half of the book. The overlying theme, whether its' the financial or human resource philosophy seems to be: do the right thing, and profits will follow. Treat employees right. Give back to the environment. Use the best materials. You really get an idea of how Yvon thinks, feels, and acts. He comes across as centered, humble, and responsible. As Patagonias sole owner, he can retain the company culture and vision he set without being grilled on profits, and cutting costs. Support Patagonia. It's good for the earth.

Absolutely loved this - the balance of commercial success with the empathy for people and planet was a pleasure to discover. Not just a business book, as intertwined with the authors love of the outdoors. Left me considering seriously what is truly sustainable growth, and how organisations can truly balance results across a spectrum of financial, ethical and human KPIs.

Um dos melhores livros sobre empreendedorismo e cultura de empresa que eu ja li. Esse livro inspirou muito a marca Reserva de roupas, o Roni. Ele com certeza faz voce repensar como construir uma cultura na sua empresa, pensando no futuro, em como devemos tratar principalmente o meio ambiente e todas as outras coisas que estao ligadas a ele. Vale cada palavra.

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Greatclife experience book

Una meravigliosa scoperta, un libro che avrei voluto conoscere prima. Personalmente ho trovato un po' pesante la prima parte più narrativa mentre la seconda parte riguardante le filosofie aziendali è davvero interessante con spunti di riflessione ad ogni angolo. Consigliato al 100% per chiunque ami la natura e gli sport.