I know a lot of people have long predicted the death of traditional news media such as the weekend newspaper, but it remains one of my favorite Sunday morning rituals. Settling in to read news on my laptop does just have the same appeal. This morning, I was pleased to find interesting reading around two of my favorite subjects: entrepreneurship and work/life balance. First, I’ll talk about the entrepreneurship and tackle the work/life balance in my next post.
In today’s Washington Post Magazine, there was a great article on Kevin Plank and Under Armour. Under Armour in addition to being close to home physically (I live near Baltimore), carries a personal connection. My nephew Kevin Kirk was recruited by CEO Kevin Plank to be an intern. After reading this article, I understand why Mr. Plank took such a shining to my college-age nephew: I think he sees in him the same entrepreneurial spirit he has always exhibited. Based on the article, it seems both Kevins (Plank and Kirk) spent a good deal of their teenage years finding different ways to make some money. For Plank, in college, it was selling flowers. For my nephew (who is still in college) it has been selling girls’ accessories like head bands, pashmina shawls, flip flops, purses – whatever he can get in cheap supply and sell at girls’ and women’s sports tournaments.
One of the things that stood out to me is how Under Armour has engaged in an intense battle to overtake their competition: Nike and Reebok. Sort of a David and Goliath story with multiple Goliaths. What Under Armour has accomplished so far is amazing and I’m sure if you asked someone today about starting up in an industry with such large, established competition they would tell you that you’re nuts. If anyone had told Kevin that, he certainly wasn’t listening. With smart marketing, sheer determination, and maniacal focus, Kevin Plank has beaten the odds and turned the company he started right out of college into a force to be reckoned with approaching $1B in revenues. Impressive indeed.
Given the sports/competition mentality of this company and having been to their offices a couple times, I’m certain the unifying mission to take on the giants in their industry is a powerful motivator and could be the catalyst for the innovation they’re going to need to overcome such formidable opponents. They have a young, smart workforce so I’m anxious to see what they come up with, but to materialize the kind of innovation needed requires more than just an idea or two. You have to uncover and recognize the right opportunities (yes, there is a difference between IDEA and OPPORTUNITY) and then execute flawlessly. Kevin and UA have done this before, but will what got them here get them where they want to go next? Time will tell.
When I see their most recent approaches and new products, they seem to be taking a head-to-head approach with the Big Guys. They appear to be asking “How can we do that, too?” I wonder if they might be asking the wrong questions. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll drop them a line and see if they could use a Muse. I just might know one.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3f020912-d5b3-46fb-ac79-aad44d6288a6)
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Kevin Plank, Under Armour
on 
on 
It would seem legal highs have become a part of the weekend for our children. Immediately after one is made illegal a brand new type is avilable. What is the solution for this?
nike air yeezyWorld Cup, Messi scoring a goal with no regrets away. Some Argentine media, “reveal”, as had been arranged after the position by, Messi was not able to harvest in the World Cup, dunk sbMaradona scored against the dark of Health dissatisfied – this is absolutely untrue. Massey has indeed been eliminated Argentina was sad and disappointed, kobe shoesbut he has not the slightest complaint Diego, or would not midnight knock on the door Maradona.
If you take the time to actually read my postcheap vibram five fingers I specifically point out that infinite growth is impossible.However,the earth’s crust averages several tens of kilometerswholesale air max thick so we’ve a while to get through that while we develop the technology to take advantage of the molten part.The only biodiversity humanity depends on is that which we need as a source of nutrition and oxygen.women jeansThis is my own apinion,thanks a lot.
I agree completely. If you’re going to try and take on a large company at what they do, you have to do something a little different and a lot better. A huge power like Nike will do what they do and be the best at it but if you can offer something a little bit different it won’t matter. A lot of people get put off if they feel there’s too much competition for their business idea but that shouldn’t stop anybody.
nice metaphor^^ but there are some points that i dont agree with you
Paper crafts had been seriously popular for a while now. Most children start out making paper crafts in school. The teachers usually start the kid out with quite simple paper crafting tasks. This normally involves giving the kid several color options as well as several shapes of construction paper to work with. Many professors normally provide child many suggestions to begin with, but every child is encouraged to show their own imagination on their own crafting paper project.This kind of arts and crafts can even be incredibly stimulating for adults. Many, utilize the paper crafting materials for arrangements, by placing all of them in a gift container or even utilizing all of them as gift wrap. While some use them for an American preferred pastime called scrapbook.Making a scrapbooking design can be extremely enjoyable if you let your imagination run outdoors! This form of paper crafting is very simple to complete because you don’t need to stick to a specific pattern. The main idea behind keeping the scrapbook may be to keep a journal of your life or things that you want and present them in the arts and crafts form. The other idea is to display your emotions, thoughts, and emotions without writing an individual word of text, but only using paper and images on paper.Paper crafts will also be very easily changed to suit any vacation theme. for example for holiday seasons like St. Valentine’s Day, one may be encouraged to make Valentine’s to pass around to buddies or family members. About St. Patrick’s Day one might be encouraged to create paper crafts which are the color green. So, for the next vacation no matter what it may be, wouldn’t it be great to utilize paper crafts as your next crafting idea?As a final point there’s origami. The idea behind this craft is to get paper and place it in the form of animals. This can be a very beautiful art that can be traced back numerous centuries. Typically the origami can be done in various styles, dimensions, and colors. All these features could be changed by simply changing the type of paper used. Paper crafts are only restricted by your imagination, which makes them one of the best craft ideas.
Hey…..nice post!!
Awesome, No more words to explain
just….cool blog.
Paper crafts had been very popular for some time now. Most children start out crafting paper crafts in school. The professors typically start the kid out with quite simple paper crafting projects. This normally involves giving the kid several color choices and as well many shapes of construction paper to work with. Many professors typically give the kid various suggestions to start with, but every kid is actually encouraged to show their creative imagination on their own crafting paper project.This kind of arts and crafts can also be extremely stimulating for parents. Many, utilize the paper crafting materials for accessories, by placing all of them in a surprise basket or even utilizing all of them as gift wrap. While others utilize them for an American preferred pastime known as scrap booking.Making a scrapbook can be quite enjoyable when you allow your creativity run crazy! This form of paper crafting is very easy to complete simply because you don’t have to stick to a specific pattern. The main idea behind keeping a scrapbook is to keep a journal of your life or things that you like and also present all of them in the arts and crafts form. Another concept is to show your emotions, thoughts, and emotions without writing an individual word of text, but only using paper and images on paper.Paper crafts are also very easily changed to fit any holiday theme. for instance for holidays like St. Valentine’s Day, it’s possible to be stimulated to be able to create Valentine’s to pass around to buddies or loved ones. About St. Patrick’s Day one may be encouraged to create paper crafts that are the color green. So, for the next holiday break it doesn’t matter what it could be, wouldn’t it be great to utilize paper crafts as your next crafting idea?As a final point there exists origami. The concept behind this craft is to take paper and place it in the shape of animals. This can be a very beautiful art that can be traced back many centuries. The origami can be done in numerous shapes, dimensions, and colors. Each one of these attributes can be changed by simply modifying the kind of paper used. Paper crafts are only limited by your imagination, which makes them one of the best craft ideas.
It’s true, one of life’s pleasures is opening a big Sunday paper and lying in bed with a cup of coffee reading your favorite section! That said, I never buy a daily paper anymore as I get all my news online…. and can you really see the Sunday papers outliving the Playstation generation?
Sofie@Evening Shawls´s last blog ..Carla Bruni’s Camel Evening Shawl
When I buy athletic clothing, I almost exclusively buy Under Armour. It’s expensive but the quality is unrivaled. I’m glad they’re competing with Nike and giving them a run for their money.
Great post. It’s comfortable to read your blog. The content of your blog is exactly wonderful, and your blog template is Simple generous. It seems not dazzled. So good. air yeezy shoes
Do not a lot of money to buy a building? Worry not, because that’s real to receive the loan to solve all the problems. Thus get a sba loan to buy all you want.
That is well known that the famous buy paper service will be able to provide students with business term paper. Moreover, bright people will save time.
Thanks fo5r the timely info look forward to more
Thanks for sharing. You can order paper on this topic.
It just shows that experience in writing brings such depth and meaning to readers. Thanks for sharing.
Air Jordan
¿Qué es el código Captcha?, Pls me proporciona códigos código captcha o plugin, Gracias de antemano. Eso es muy bonito, cuando se trata en la India, esperamos que pueda hacer un lugar para Rocking hijo .. Esperamos que se hagan realidad.
At the first thought anyone would have an impression that this blog is another of those based on some abstract topic . Only after reading it one realizes that there is serious stuff inside, great work
Great wedding resourses here. Much appreciated.
Seriously there should be some innovation required so that to create something different and this is what actually needed.
Traditional news will never die down in my opinion. But social media is growing in popularity. At best, I believe the two will complement each other more than anything.
Great article …Thanks for your great information.I will be waiting for your next post.
[...] Taking on Giants? Innovation required. | Julie Lenzer Kirk's Blog [...]
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.