Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

By: Jim Collins

Narrated by: Jim Collins

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Built to Last, the defining management study of the '90s, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.

But what about companies that are not born with great DNA? How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness? Are there those that convert long-term mediocrity or worse into long-term superiority? If so, what are the distinguishing characteristics that cause a company to go from good to great?

Over five years, Jim Collins and his research team have analyzed the histories of 28 companies, discovering why some companies make the leap and others don't. The findings include:

• Level 5 Leadership: A surprising style, required for greatness
• The Hedgehog Concept: Finding your three circles, to transcend the curse of competence
• A Culture of Discipline: The alchemy of great results
• Technology Accelerators: How good-to-great companies think differently about technology
• The Flywheel and the Doom Loop: Why those who do frequent restructuring fail to make the leap

©2001 Jim Collins (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Like Built to Last, Good to Great is one of those books that managers and CEOs will be reading and rereading for years to come." (Amazon.com review)

"If you believe that a visionary leader with a strong ego is an essential component of sustained business success, then Jim Collins has a few thousand words for you. His carefully researched audiobook explains that the success of companies that outperform the market for 15 years in a row comes from selfless leadership, rigorous focus, and a culture of discipline....[T]here's another reason this book has burst through as a bestseller, which you can feel in Collins's narration: He is honestly excited about his research and unconventional findings. ( AudioFile)

Great insight and practical tips

Would you listen to Good to Great again? Why?

It's a long listen but, I plan to listen again in 2017. I'm saving it for my next 400+ mile drive.

What did you like best about this story?

It's been awhile since I read it but, what sticks out is finding out why some of the big name companies lost market share and succumb to a much smaller competitor.

Have you listened to any of Jim Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Prior to listening to Good to Great, I had not listened or read any of Jim Collins's other work.

Powerful Insight

Any additional comments?

What I like about Jim Collins' books is that they are research projects and he is delivering findings and insight. He is not trying to sell you services, he is delivering information he is deeply passionate and involved with.

Narration from Jim Collins was incredible with his delivery and emphasis. It felt like I was in a powerful seminar all in the comforts of my office, car, and home.

simply the best.

for anyone building or growing a company, there is no better book than this one.

This book actually provides evidence not just anecdotes.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was clear that a ton of research went into writing this. I appreciate a book that has stronger evidence than selectively chosen anecdotes to back up claims. Mr. Collins and colleagues, thank you for writing such a good book.

the research in book is incredible

i love this book would definitely recommend it to a friend. it was very interesting.

Best book by Jim Collins

If you could sum up Good to Great in three words, what would they be?

amazing, inspirational, unbelieveable

What was one of the most memorable moments of Good to Great?

Selling off all the paper mills which was the bread and butter for the company

What about Jim Collins’s performance did you like?

Jim brought his book to the masses. I do not think anyone else could read it and bring that much power into it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A book about amazing companies you have to be kidding. The only reason why I might cry is that I didn't own any of them

Great book!!

If you could sum up Good to Great in three words, what would they be?

Great book, timeless ideals. It is too bad some of the great companies have gone bad...

Vital. Keeper. Re-readable

Definitely one of those books you apply, re-read, and share. Vital principles. Insightful challenges. Helpful to identify weaknesses in yourself and your workplace.

Too much drama in the performance

I really liked the content and particularly the scientific method behind it. I didn't like the performance. Jim hammers some things incessantly to the point where I found myself turning down the volume. This isn't throughout the book, only periodically, but it was way too much. But if you suffer through that you'll get a lot out of this book.

Good To Great

this was an excellent read. Jim Collins hascan engaging reading style and the content is invaluable.