The next time I toss my favorite Luna bars (Key Lime Pie, Dulce de Leche or Chai Tea flavor thanks) in a backpack to go hiking, I'll take a number of inspiring lessons along with the healthy snack...

From the publisher:
Gary Erickson turned down a $120 million offer to buy his thriving company. Today, instead of taking it easy for the rest of his life and enjoying a luxurious retirement, he's working harder than ever. Why would any sane person pass up the financial opportunity of a lifetime?

Raising the Bar tells the amazing story of Clif Bar's Gary Erickson and shows that some things are more important than money. Gary Erickson and coauthor Lois Lorentzen tell the unusual and inspiring story about following your passion, the freedom to create, sustaining a business over the long haul, and living responsibly in your community and on the earth. Raising the Bar chronicles Clif Bar's ascent from a homemade energy bar to a $100 million phenomenon with an estimated 35 million consumers, and a company hailed by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. four years in a row. The book is filled with compelling personal stories from Erickson's life-trekking in the Himalayan mountains, riding his bicycle over roadless European mountain passes, climbing in the Sierra Nevada range--as inspiration for his philosophy of business. Throughout the book, Erickson--a competitive cyclist, jazz musician, world traveler, mountain climber, wilderness guide, and entrepreneur--convinces us that sustaining one's employees, community, and environment is good business.

If you are a manager, executive, business owner, or board member, Raising the Bar is your personal guide to corporate integrity. If you are a sports enthusiast, environmentalist, adventure lover, intrigued by a unique corporate culture, or just interested in a good story, Raising the Bar is for you. Publisher: Jossey-Bass (2004)

"What makes this book [Raising the Bar] worth reading is that he's [Gary Erickson] as honest about his mistakes as his successes." (Newsweek, October 4, 2004)

Click to order or read more about Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business
(The Story of Clif Bar, Inc.) By the way, Carrot Cake Clif Bars are great too!

Drop by soon to hear about another tool!

Take a look at previous reviews:

Crossing the Unknown Sea - Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity

The Story Factor : Secrets of Influence from the Art of Storytelling Book

Shackleton's Way -- Leadership Lessons From the Great Antarctic Explorer Book

The Power of Travel Book

The Creative Whack Pack Card Deck

The Nature of Leadership Book

The Leadership Challenge Planner Workbook

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