Customer Reviews

Les Schwab Pride in Performance: Keep It Going

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this book should be the bible of all men wanting to be in business! les schwab is the most generous man sharing over 50% of his net profits with his employes. this is why he has the most loyale caring people under him. this book is truelly unbelivable, that a man, one man could think of these ethics and live by them everyday and build an empire as huge as he has. the book does jump around alot but it is neat how this no 81 year old man wrote this whole book useing his old typewriter with only a little gramical correction. truelly a book for every person trying to compete in todays business world!!!

This is the story of Les Schwab and his company. He tells how he started in the tire business and shares with the reader his ideas on building a successful business through building successful employees. Les is a businessman not a writer, but like in business, he gets his points across. He is the undisputed king of the tire business in the Pacific Northwest. His is the largest independent tire business in the world and he makes it look easy. If you are in business or want to be in business you must read this book.

My boyfriend wanted to be, and was, the "first" customer at the Les Schwab that opened in the Maple Valley-Black Diamond area in Washington. I thought that was odd but he got there early and was the first customer.

Actually I went down to see what the big attraction was and that morning several trucks arrived from Prineville full of the store inventory, including even the forms for the office! Managers from area Les Schwab stores were on hand, donuts and coffee on the counter, and these fellows were unloading the trucks and stocking the store, having started around 4-5am as I recall. It was interesting to watch.

I bought this book yesterday and will finish it today (they also sell it at the Les Schwab stores if you ask at the counter.) Les wrote this himself and explained his life and what worked, what didn't, etc. It's a great read and interesting. I recommend it highly.

This is a great book on multiple levels. Les Schwab's personal story is fascinating and well articulated. It's an inspirational story for budding entrepeneurs. He shows you that with alot of work, dedication and common horse sense you can go a long way. The tire business is a particulary difficult one, and the book describes how Les Schwab found a niche for his business to flourish in. The book is worth the price just for his idea about profit sharing plans that he employs. Very useful for anyone interested in business. All in all very entertaining and informative book.
You can still get this book direct from Les Schwab Tires. You can buy it directly from a LS Tires Store, or by sending a check for $12.50 to
Les Schwab Tire Centers
attn: Switchboard
PO Box 667
Prineville, OR 97754

His credentials are that he was orphaned at 15 and built a business doing over $1B per year.

He discusses the virtuous cycle, where he set up programs to make his people successful, and in turn, they make him successful. He talks about unions, socialism, zoning regs, and the dangers of too many policies. His advice to push everything down to the lowest level (not at corporate HQ) should be read by our education departments and government.

He covers a very wide set of topics in a way that really makes you want to "shake his hand"!

If you want to learn about Les Schwab this book is good, but if you want to learn about business and how to treat customers, employees, and vendors then this book is AWESOME! Customer Service is so lax anymore that I would go buy a set of tires just to experience it at Les Schwab Tire Centers. Yes, They still run to great you, and fix flats for free. Why would you shop anywhere else?

I picked up this book from my Father's closet he had told me how successful this guy was in the Pacific Northwest, and I began reading it and loved it. It's so interesting to see how a guy that starts out with very little is able to create a huge franchise of tire stores. Schwab's ways with his employees and customers make him a marketing genius. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn somewhat about being successful and likes to read autobiographies. 5 stars for sure.

if you are familiar with the largest pacific northwest tire dealer les schwab then you will know that it is not a bad title to be called "tire boy".

knowing alot of people in the les schwab company it has been wonderful to watch each and every one of them become successful.

les schwab offers a range of wonderful benefits to both customers and employees.

customers: get the wonderful benefit of knowing that what ever they purchase it is being warrantied, having someone run to your car when you pull into the parking lot...

employees: get the wonderful benefit of (free) medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage... hefty bonuses, dividends and beautiful discounts

i would highly recommend this book to anyone that is thinking of going to work for les schwab or would like to learn how to become successful as les schwab.

i feel very fortunate to have grown up in les schwab country...

When Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger put this book on the Berkshire/Hathaway "Must Read" list, this Tire Barron from the American Northwest entered the realm of American business icon.

What a fantastic book, what a superb philosophy...

Sadly, this book is now Out Of Print. Even after decades of being published, only now is the word *really* starting to spread about Pride In Performance. It's almost gained cult-status. Still, copies are readily had and I would suggest that any aspiring businessman read this book cover to cover, and keep a copy on the shelf in the office. I do.

I have a MBA, but over time I've realized that much (or most or all) of success in business has to do with perseverance, working hard, and the desire to do a great job. Les Schwab wanted to change the industry for the better, to make his employees happy and well-to-do, and to just do his best. He was driven to do anything it took, the person who sits in the shower and thinks of ways to be better. Like Jim Sinegal at Costco, Sam Walton, etc, they committed their lives to their passion.
The writing style leaves a lot to be desired on one hand, but it also lends a note of authenticity.