Interesting to read about the Harlie Davidson and Ken Schmidt's influence when the business was waning.

A former Harley-Davidson communications director, Ken Schmidt, who is acknowledged as a motivational - if unconventional - speaker has also just written a new business book, MAKE SOME NOISE. He defines an organization's "noise" as what is said about it by its various stakeholders such as employees, management, suppliers, current and future customers, investors, the media and even people in the communities where the organization operates. Schmidt advocates pursuing a "full-throttle" approach that focuses on company strengths and the power of a work culture that stresses "competing to dominate." Drawing on his own experience, he describes the changes made in order to turn around sales and attitudes towards Harley-Davidson as well as offering suggested strategies for any business.The motorcycle analogies which Schmidt employees will make the text more interesting for our students as they read about his assertive tactics and try to appreciate the many factors involved. Read an excerpt: the first chapter is available on the amazon page for MAKE SOME NOISE. As Schmidt writes, "nobody's going to get hurt ... you're going to get a huge kick out of your ride, remember it, and benefit from what it's about to teach you. ... So come on. Let's go before someone chickens out."

Link in live post:
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Some-Noise-Unconventional-Dominance/dp/150115561X

I really enjoyed this book, it was not just a retelling of the history of Harley Davidson, or other just more leadership guru/success story. Ken really takes you into the heart of himself and the company he built and how to apply it to other companies.

What I enjoyed and being in corporate leadership, I saw a company I work for go from being successful to very hardtimes and I always thought that the reason was the shift from ourselves to our competitors, we stopped making our own noise and tried to make their noise. Ken talked about how we are in competition in businesses of course, but more we need to be competition with ourselves, how to improve, how we celebrate, our way of doing things. How to continue to make "beautiful noise" in our industry.

Very difficult to read as I do not ride a motorcycle nor do I have any interest in riding a motorcycle. I felt everything started and ended with riding the motorcycle.. I am sure there are good stories for those who can relate!