Nike's Influence on International Business.
When I think of different companies that are successful in International Business, one of the first companies that come to mind is that of Nike. Nike is one of those elite companies that has a strong hold on their product. Just as McDonald's is the king of fast food restaurants across the world, and Disney is one of the world leaders in the entertainment business, Nike is the king of athletic shoes and apparel. Anywhere in the world that sports exists you are sure to see some sort of advertising, foot wear, athletic apparel or references to Nike. Nike is one of those corporate conglomerates that are easily recognizable worldwide. Their easily recognizable trademarks include just the name NIKE and the swoosh that is located on all of their products. Everywhere you look in sports you see some resemblance of Nike. Nike is everywhere from jerseys worn by professional athletes, to golf accessories, to equipment used by soccer teams across the world. I, like many other people across the world, have been a customer of Nike for quite some time now. I will also probably remain a customer of Nike for life, because I enjoy the quality of their products, and I feel that their prices are competitive with other products.
History and Facts.
Before Nike was even Nike, they were "Blue Ribbon Sports." The two founders of Blue Ribbon Sports were Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Together Knight and Bowerman created the first athletic shoe in December of 1963. It wasn't until 1966 when Blue Ribbon Sports opened its first retail outlet in Santa Monica, California. 1971 was a big year for Blue Ribbon Sports. First in 1971 Blue Ribbon Sports changed their name to Nike, which was named after the Greek winged Goddess of Victory. Also in 1971 Knight bought the rights to the world famous swoosh. Over the years Nike continued to grow and grow and expand worldwide. Currently Nike's headquarters are located in 16 office buildings in Oregon, which employ over 5,000 people.
