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)

For life as well

I come back to the principles of this book over and over and over. a quality resource

interesting

interesting concepts. I like that it tried to be scientific and data driven but topics like these have so many uncontrolled variables that a true unbiased study would be prohibitively expensive. the most valuable info was at the beginning to listen to the information with healthy skepticism and take what you can. would be interesting to dig through the research appendices

Awesome book

I was gifted this audiobook and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Very well-written and thought provoking.

A very interesting analysis

A very interesting analysis into the primary themes that exist among great companies. Although one can assume what it takes to build and sustain a great company, this evidence-based approach hammers home some concepts that might often be overlooked.

Almost a great book

It provides data that supports the ideas in my favorite books by Patrick Lencioni and Eli Goldratt.
It provides a study of what makes companies that go from good to great different from those which stay 'just' good or deteriorate.
While the study method is solid it's hard to tell from the audiobook version (without the appendix) whether there was a selection bias.
My main problem with the book is that speculation is mixed in without any disclaimers. However, it's not too hard to tell what's speculation.

Brilliant

Should be on everyone’s reading list once per year. I just finished it for the second time.

Fabulous

I appreciate all the work that went into writing this book. It is very informative and life-changing.

Great read!

A very insightful read on what takes things to the next level. A must read if you’re looking to grow and gain business insights.

Interesting but Requires Revision

if you can get past the list of 'great' company's that haven't done that great. its a worth while read as it is so frequently referenced (often badly) in current literature.

I think the basic message of this book that the right type of simplicity is very hard but very worthwhile is still valid.

Incredible - Read it Again and Again

Most business books are rubbish... this is a gem. Read it again and again. Absolutely priceless.