How to Castrate a Bull: Unexpected Lessons on Risk, Growth, and Success in Business

Dave Hitz, Pat Walsh · First published January 20th 2009

Dave Hitz likes to solve fun problems. He didn’t set out to be a Silicon Valley icon, a business visionary, or even a billionaire. But he became all three. It turns out that business is a mosaic of interesting puzzles like managing risk, developing and reversing strategies, and looking into the future by deconstructing the past. As a founder of NetApp, a data storage firm that began as an idea scribbled on a placemat and now takes in $4 billion a year, Hitz has seen his company go through every major cycle in business–from the Jack-of-All-Trades mentality of a start-up, through the tumultuous period of the IPO and the dot-com bust, and finally to a mature enterprise company. NetApp is one of the fastest-growing computer companies ever, and for six years in a row it has been on Fortune magazine’s list of Best Companies to Work For. Not bad for a high school dropout who began his business career selling his blood for money and typing the names of diseases onto index cards.

With colorful examples and anecdotes, How to Castrate a Bull is a story for everyone interested in understanding business, the reasons why companies succeed and fail, and how powerful lessons often come from strange and unexpected places.

Dave Hitz co-founded NetApp in 1992 with James Lau and Michael Malcolm. He served as a programmer, marketing evangelist, technical architect, and vice president of engineering. Presently, he is responsible for future strategy and direction for the company. Before his career in Silicon Valley, Dave worked as a cowboy, where he got valuable management experience by herding, branding, and castrating cattle.

“How to Castrate a Bull” is a book that provides valuable lessons and insights on how to achieve success in business. The author shares his personal experiences and those of other business leaders, to illustrate the importance of taking calculated risks, focusing on growth, and using unconventional methods to achieve success.

1. Embrace calculated risk-taking: Business success often requires taking calculated risks.
2. Focus on growth: Businesses should prioritize growth over stability to stay ahead of the competition.
3. Adopt a flexible and adaptable approach: Companies must be flexible and adaptable in order to succeed in a constantly changing market.
4. Embrace diversity: Companies that embrace diversity and unique perspectives have a better chance of success.
5. Be creative and innovative: Innovative thinking and creative problem-solving are key to success in business.
6. Develop a strong and resilient culture: A strong and resilient company culture can help businesses weather challenges and achieve success.
7. Build strong relationships: Building strong relationships with customers, employees, and partners is critical for success.
8. Hire for fit and potential: Companies should focus on hiring individuals who fit the company culture and have potential for growth, rather than just experience.
9. Embrace failure: Failure is a natural part of the risk-taking and growth process. Companies must embrace it and learn from their mistakes.
10. Keep a long-term perspective: Businesses must keep a long-term perspective and prioritize sustainability over short-term gains.