Ingvar Kangvard

The Leadership Report: Ingvar Kampard

Biography

Ingvar Feodor Kamprad, as we know him the owner the giant home furnishing retail chain IKEA was born in march 30, 1926 on a farm which called near a small village of Agunnaryd, Smaland Sweden. In his teen ages he used to peddled matches, fish, pens, Christmas cards and other items by bicycle as a teenager. He bought matches in bulk from Stockholm and sold them in his town with reasonable prices but he still could make good money.

At the age of 17 his father gave him a reward for the success in his business. May be it was a turnover in his life. He used this money to establish his small company which will be the world's largest furniture retail company in the future. 10 years later kamprad registered his firm IKEA (Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd) on july 18, 1943. He used to sell pens, wallets. Picture frames, tables, jewelry etc. with very cheap retail prices.

Kamprad has been living with his wife and children in Switzerland since 1976 at Epangales, upper lousanne. He has three children who speak French, English and Swedish. He has a quiet and peaceful life in the country of Switzerland in very nice neighborhood. Even though he is one of the richest men in world he likes to live modest life. He do not like wearing suits, flies economy classes and drives a 17 year old Volvo if not use public transportation.

Today at the age of 80 invar kamprad ranked the fourth richest man in the world and richest man of Europe by Forbes magazine with the home furniture retail giant IKEA which located more than 32 countries all around the world.

Leadership Style

'By Example'

The point that why I choose him as my leader is his life style. "If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example," says Kamprad. "I have to do so for all the Ikea employees."

Today Kamprad might be worth $23 billion, but if look at him you would never say it. He drives a 15-year-old Volvo, of which he says, "It is nearly new, just 15 years old, or something like that." When he is not driving his old Volvo, you can see him taking public transportation in Switzerland, riding the bus alongside other commuters. He also continues to fly economy class and avoids luxury hotels when out of town. He says, "IKEA people do not drive flashy cars or stay at luxury hotels." Indeed, Kamprad practices what he advices. "How the hell can I ask people who work for me to travel cheaply if I am traveling in luxury?" he asks." It's a question of good leadership."

At the beginning in his business career, he realized that the best way to encourage hard work and a strong character in other employees was to show that in his own life. Encouraging a double standard between him and his workers, Kamprad believed in that it would be hurtful to both the health and wealth of the whole company. "I could regularly travel first class, but having money in abundance doesn't seem like a good reason to waste it," he says. "Why should I choose first class? To be offered a glass of champagne from the air hostess? If it helped me arrive at my destination more quickly, then maybe."

In spending his money, Kamprad would not only think of his employees, but also he would always put himself in the shoes of his customers. If he were in their position, what would guide him to make purchases? "I'm a bit tight with money, but so what?" he asks. "I look at the