Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar & Co. [Paperback]

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 beings, but treat them as such.

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.

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.

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