The tragic death of Matthew, Phil Knight's oldest son, had a profound impact on the Nike family. It brought them closer together, as evidenced by the immediate and heartfelt response from every Nike athlete. They reached out to express their condolences, demonstrating the strong bond within the Nike family. This tragic event likely deepened the sense of community and solidarity among the Nike athletes and staff, reinforcing the idea that they are more than just a company - they are a family. It also possibly influenced Nike's corporate culture and values, emphasizing the importance of support, empathy, and unity in times of adversity.

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Shoe Dog - Anecdotes From Nike

The iconic Nike sporting goods company started over 50 years ago as a ‘crazy idea’ in the mind of a young runner in Oregon. Shoe Dog is Phil Knight’s...

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In 2000 my oldest son, Matthew, died in a freak scuba diving accident in El Salvador. Within hours, the news was everywhere; my wife Penny and I shut ourselves away and fell apart in grief. And every Nike athlete, every single one, got in touch. They wrote, emailed, and called. The first call, at 7:30am the day after the news broke, was from Tiger Woods. Our athletes are part of our family.

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Yes, there are several companies that have successfully implemented the practice of focusing on people before profit. Some examples include Patagonia, The Body Shop, and Ben & Jerry's. These companies have prioritized their employees, customers, and communities, often leading to increased loyalty and long-term profitability.

Companies might face several obstacles when trying to implement a people-first approach. Firstly, it requires a significant shift in mindset from profit-driven to people-driven, which can be challenging for some organizations. Secondly, it may require substantial investment in employee development and welfare, which could impact short-term profitability. Lastly, there might be resistance from employees who are used to traditional hierarchical structures. To overcome these obstacles, companies need to communicate the benefits of the people-first approach clearly to all stakeholders, invest in training and development, and gradually implement changes to minimize resistance.

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