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Built to Last by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras is an essential guide for any new or old organization looking to get started or revitalize its fundamental foundation and business practices. Assembled as a result of a six year long study examining eighteen remarkable and long-lasting companies in relation to each companies top "market" competitor, this book genuinely shows what distinguishes truly visionary companies from the rest. This books begins by briefly describing what visionary companies were chosen for the study and why. For those interested, visionary companies included organizations such as Wal-Mart, American Express, IBM, and Walt Disney, just to name a few. According to Collins and Porras, a visionary company can neither be founded on a single great idea nor rely on an individual charismatic leader. Those in a visionary company must be willing and able to put the organization first in order not only to make an impact after the death of any individual leader but also to stand the test of time. Essential in any visionary company is a statement of what the company stands for and why it exists - its core ideology consisting of its core values and core purpose. For example, a company must exist for a number of reasons beyond just making money. Along with this statement of core ideology must come a plan for action, a plan to stimulate and drive progress in an organization toward an envisioned future. A key concept from this book is preserving the core of an organization while stimulating progress within that organization. Change in an organization is a constant with respect to everything but the organization's core ideology. A visionary organization can stimulate progress in a number of ways from setting BHAGs or Big Hairy Audacious goals, to creating and promoting a cult-like culture within the organization, to trying a lot of stuff and keeping what works, and finally, to relying on homegrown management. In a visionary company, good enough never is, there is never an end to the movement for continual progress, and every member in the organization is a key player encouraged to take personal initiative. A visionary company is a great place to work if and only if you strongly agree and adhere to its values and purpose. This book was not only insightful, but it provided the steps necessary for any organization to take strides toward becoming a visionary company. Although information at times was repetitive, it proved useful in hammering home key concepts crucial to understanding what makes a visionary company truly visionary. The book was an easy read, and the authors were quick to point out that this book is not the "ultimate truth" when it comes to understanding organizations. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is worth a read, and definitely worth the money!Read full review
I purchased this book as it was recommended by one of the greatest minds to walk the earth, Elon Musk. There is so much information in this book. I have a completely different attitude towards the business side of my mind after reading this. It really pinpoints what’s important and what truly isn’t when you’re trying to develop a successful business. Thank you Elon, and thank you to whoever sold me this book as such a great price on top of it all and shipped it quickly. I highly recommend this book to anyone who owns a business, plans to own a business, plans to work at a business, plans to do anything business related. A must read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
this book will show you what makes a company great vs merely good. an incitefuly and scientifically written book that will teach you more about business than any textbook you could buy. a must have for business readers.
This is an excellent read. It gave me a whole different perspective for how visionary companies operate. the best line of the book Be "the clock builder, not a time teller".
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