Autobiography of Ray Kroc [McD] (Book Review)
After reading a series of autobiographies like ‘Straight from the Gut’ by Jack Welch, I temporarily stopped reading autobiographies. They were so superfluous and appeared like the authors wrote them just to blow their trumpets. I mean, over the entire book!
What is more important to readers is an account of the struggles that they went through, especially in their earlier years. I am glad that I decided to read the Autobiography of Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonalds Franchisee business.
Note that I didn’t say McDonalds restaurant. That’s because the first McD was actually established by two brothers (of that surname) and Ray Kroc was so impressed by their concept and operations that he decided to expand it across the globe.
He was 52-years old when he discovered McD. He had worked as a salesman selling paper cups for more than two decades, and he had his own multi-mixer marketing business by then.
Age did not deter him from dreaming and look at what his dreams have transformed into, not today, but even during his lifetime. There were over 4000 McDonalds outlets even in 1984 when he died.
What really impressed me was the open admission to a number of mistakes in the book. His dreams were deterred by a number of people, including the McDonald brothers (from whom he later bought the chain).
I was also impressed by Ray’s insistence on values, quality and cleanliness – in that order, even during difficult times, and even during tough financial losses — mostly thrust on him by dishonest people.
He grinds through it all and sets an example of how to fight your adversaries – through your success than by pulling them down!
The author’s determination and success is a valuable business lesson for any aspiring businessperson. I am glad that the author was able to write his own autobiography – which gives us an insight directly into his mind.
‘Grinding it Out‘ by Ray Kroc is one book you should not miss. Especially if you are interested in reading business biographies.
Ray Croc’s success and war stories are legend in all Business Schools and corporate board rooms.
They deserve to be…
Destination Infinity
Sounds like a interesting book to read and i hope to read his autobiography sometime.
Yeah, it is…
Destination Infinity
Good to visit your blog…
Yea, glad to host you at mine 🙂
Destination Infinity
I have read biographies of many Indians and some memoirs also but dreaming at the age of 52 and making it is really impressive.
Impressive but it took him LOTS of WORK!
Destination Infinity