I think I'm not a natural-born salesman, for sure, but If I have a product I really believe in, I can overcome some of the shyness and get through the things that aren't natural to me.
Phil KnightRead
At first, we couldn't be establishment, because we didn't have any money. We were guerrilla marketers, and we still are, a little bit. But, as we became No. 1 in our industry, we've had to modify our culture and become a bit more planned.
Interpretation
Success often requires adapting from unconventional methods to more structured approaches as one grows.
Phil Knight's quote reflects on the evolution of a company's marketing strategy from informal, unconventional tactics to more structured, planned approaches necessary for success in a competitive landscape. He emphasizes that even as one achieves prominence within their industry, the foundational guerrilla marketing tactics remain an essential part of their identity.
In practice
During a marketing conference, when discussing the evolution of brand strategies.
I think I'm not a natural-born salesman, for sure, but If I have a product I really believe in, I can overcome some of the shyness and get through the things that aren't natural to me.
No parent should have their child die before he or she does.
If there was no Bill Bowerman, there would have been no me. He had about as much of an impact on my life as any one person could have. He taught me about competition and ingrained it in me. He taught me not to praise ordinary performances.
We wanted Nike to be the world's best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don't end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.
Running is a basic ingredient for your health, just as much as eating and sleeping, but going out for a run by yourself and taking a moment to think also creates a certain peace.
Dare to take chances, lest you leave your talent buried in the ground.
In business, you're trying to make a buck. God was good to me and blessed me. I made some money and started this foundation years ago, and it has grown in size. With the foundation it's a lot different, because the bottom line isn't how you can make more money or get a better return, it's helping the projects that you feel strongly about move forward.
We believe that business is good because it creates value. It is ethical because it is based on voluntary exchange; it is noble because it can elevate our existence, and it is heroic because it lifts people out of poverty and creates prosperity.
Almost all decisions based on cost accounting are utterly wrong.
You have family-owned businesses that have been around for 500 years. You cannot name a corporation that survives intact for even a few decades.
If the employees come first, then they're happy. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep coming back, which pleases the shareholders. It's not one of the enduring green mysteries of all time, it is just the way it works.
Marketing is too important to be left to the marketing department.
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