Let My People Go Surfing

Yvon Chouinard

Let My People Go Surfing

15min

15min

Download offline

Add to library

Buy the book


Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of A Reluctant Businessman was created as a manual for Patagonia employees, but it was so effective that it ended up becoming a best-selling book, translated into over ten languages and used across half of the globe as a textbook in high schools and universities. If Patagonia is, in the words of its founder Yvon Chouinard, “the experiment of doing business in unconventional ways”, this book is an experiment in writing a manual of alternative management, whose philosophy has influenced and inspired many great multinationals around the globe.

read more

read less

0:00
0:00

Analysis and key concepts

01.

If we had to choose just one quality to describe the trajectory of Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard’s, it would be integrity. His whole life has evolved following the beam of his own guiding star: respect for nature in all its forms

02.

In the 60’s Chouinard organised his life into two seasons: in the winter he made a small shop out of an old chicken coop where he made equipment that he sold to raise funds to allow him to travel and climb the rest of the year

03.

Managing a clothing company is very different from making equipment; lack of experience and information about the product market led to painful consequences

04.

Chouinard believes that an entrepreneur’s job is to explore the world, test products, and come back to his company with new ideas and precious information

05.

A large company needs managers, cooperative team members and clarity of each person’s role: in the 90’s Patagonia comes close to going bust

06.

The strength and uniqueness of Patagonia lie in the clarity of its values, placed at the foundation of the entire production process and then translated into actions

07.

Quotes

08.

Take-home message

Unlock this and thousands more with 4books Premium!

You'll have 7 days free, and if you're not satisfied after 30 days, you can get your money back.

Many useful tips to:


  • Find out how to create a profitable company that respects both people and the environment.
  • Learn the essential steps to being an innovative entrepreneur.
  • Discover the fundamental values at the heart of one of the most successful companies in the world.

Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, is first and foremost a passionate climber and mountaineer. He has invented equipment to promote clean climbing, a climbing technique that respects the mountain environment. In the 70’s, he was among the contributors to the development of the modern technique for ice climbing. His love of the environment and care for the wellbeing of the people he works with have been instrumental in the construction of his enormously successful company and the popularity of his brand.

Publishing house:

Penguin Books

Year:

2016

Pages:

272

ISBN:

‎ 978-0143109679