Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar, Inc.

wow. gary erickson makes me want to put down my cigarette, rum and coke, move back to b.c. and get outside, start moving and get passionate about life again. it is so unbelievably inspiring to see someone so real and honest and vulnerable ring true in a story. work hard, play hard and live and work with honesty, passion and integrity seems to override the usual company mottos of profit, profit, profit. i didn't even feel like it was a business book. usually they're all rat race this, rat race that - abandon your families, friends, social life for the bottom line - so it was so refreshing to read that companies like this do exist. pick it up. i've never even eaten a clif bar, my mom just bought me this book for christmas and i'm all like, i'm so going to be a loyal clif/luna bar devotee because of the story behind it. so buy it, read it. definitely.

I loved the story of Gary Erickson's journeys, both in his career and in his personal life, and found myself rooting for him and for Clif Bar at each step of the way. The book is a delight to read, as well as an inspiration. It shows that the little guy can win, and preserve his integrity at the same time. This is the first business book I've found myself really looking forward to reading, both for its content and for its excellent production values: the design is stunning and greatly enriches the reading experience.

This book is great. I run businesses for a living, and have long looked up to Role Models in ethical business like Ben Cohen and others, for a long time I've looked up to the practices of Gary and Clif Bar as well. I was introduced to them years back when I realized that PowerBars taste like crap. This book is great for so many aspects of waht I'm into...see how this sizes up for you. As a cyclist and traveller, I really loved the stories on the road and the unique methods of travelling to so many places, opening himself up to a modicom of risk, enough to truly learn and experience, something I truly beleive in. So that component was great. The business component was very descriptive and specific about creating a strong example of a socially conscious, sustainable, profitable business, that remained private, and enriching to employees. The notions of servicing a natural demand rather than an engineered demand stand in glaring contrast to the sermons or Sergio Zyman and other renouned marketing gurus, but the efficiency and decreased capital instensity can't be denied. The human component was honest and welcome as well, but not dwelled on for too long. I found countless references to other books and subjects I was also into which really reinforced this fit of this book with my interest in ethical business, lifestyle and interests in general. If I had a single critique of teh book it would be too many mentions of the buyout he walked away from. Which certainly was a lot of money to refuse, but the references were a little too abundant. If that's my biggest beef, like a McDonald's hamburger--that's not much beef at all. This book took no time to read, was layden with referecnes and analogies of life & business in terms of jazz, riding and travel. So if this is your thing, click that little button that says add to your shopping cart and hop on board, this is a great book for the health conscious, those interested in slow food, ethical business, athletes, or grampa's in cardigans. If you're jaded and cynical of what corporations are or on business in general. Realize that media deliver salacious stories of bad deeds, and dishonesty--they perpetuate fear. Read this book to balance out your head, and gain a hope that there are those who stand up for what they beleive in, make a difference and make a good living doing it. So stop reading my review and read Gary's book.

Most any athlete has had a Clif Bar. What makes them different from Balance bars, MetRx bars and Balance bars? And how is the company any different? This is the story behind the company. The book can be divided into three major themes. First is the historical component of the company - the creation, fall and rebirth of Clif bar. It's told first person from the founder's view from the trenches, and you join him in the trials and tribulations of an entepreneur. The second theme covers the values of the company. It talks about concepts like mapping the road less traveled, and living your values as a company. It's this section that really makes you hungry for a Clif Bar. :-) It also demonstrates how both the passion and neglect of a leader is reflected in the company. In this section you'll learn the values that drove Clif Bar to remain private. Lastly is a "How To" manual. This drives at, "I know Gary pulled it off, but what does it mean to me?" The advice here is on creating companies with similar values to Gary's. How does one minimize their ecological footprint? How does one go organic? How does one operate in a sustainable manner? What are the signs of a productive and energizing workplace? The three themes combine to make an enjoyable story of overcoming obstacles, taking the road less traveled, and creating a company filled with passion.

I love Clif Bars, especially the "carrot cake" flavor! When I saw this book by the CEO and founder of the company, I picked it up right away. It is always insightful to read about people who founded or run companies and get an inside look at how they built the organization and what they value. Where most business books focus on financials, strategy and how to be successful in their market, it is rarer to find a company that has been very successful financially while still placing their values as a higher priority than the profit-at-all-costs culture that plagues many organizations. The book describes in detail the founding of the company, from the almost storybook beginnings in his moms kitchen. What started as a desire to create a "sports bar" that didn't taste like dirt, has turned into a quality and well known brand. While these types of rags to riches stories may be sounding familiar, this path is actually quite different. Gary describes his passions for biking, travel and climbing, and how he has learned to value the environment and focus his company on sustainable growth. When his competitors were becoming part of large conglomerates with the resources to outspend and out market his brand, he resisted the lure of millions to sell the company and chose to remain private. I found myself marking pages, pondering quotes, and admiring the spirit and values that Gary brought to the organization. He describes the difference between the "red path" and the "white path". Developed through an analogy of taking roads less traveled, and traveling light on his numerous bike trips in Europe, he discovers that the real joy is in the journey not the destination. Those who take the "white path" play it safe, and make the kinds of business decisions that accountants love. Those who take the "red path" stay true to their values, and must sometimes take risks others would fear to do in order to ensure the vision is upheld. For those who enjoy business strategy, the book contains plenty. The steps to business sustainability and the values of hiring the right people and creating the right culture for employees are outlined and described. Also, like Howard Shultz and a few others, Gary chooses to be honest about his doubts, his mistakes, and his fears. In this way, the book is more inspiring than the typical academic and controlled business planning tools most consultants and business leaders use to replace passion and leadership. I recommend this book highly. If you feel there is something missing in your company, and the workplace has become an unending and unsatisfying grind, then prepare to be inspired and encouraged. It is refreshing to know that there are still business leaders who understand that life is more than their balance sheet. A great example of a company willing to give back to the community and try to make the world a better place. A company and a leader who not only believe their employees have inherent value as human bei