Book Review: Built to Last

Book Review: Built to Last

When it comes to successful companies, what makes them tick year after year? Why does one company languish, either losing their lead or never achieving the same heights as their competitor? This team set out to find the successful habits and share their findings with all of us.

The book starts with some explanations: what do we mean by a ‘visionary’ company? What companies were studied? How were comparison companies chosen? How was the data organized once collected?

Some findings: Turns out you don’t need a great idea to start a company, or even a charismatic leader. Visionary companies have a clear foundation, a core focus which is to be guarded. At the same time, they also look for ways to ‘bake’ into their systems and culture ways to foster innovation within those core ideologies. Mr. Collins emphasizes the constant need for visionary companies to preserve the core yet stimulate progress at the same time. Each part of the study included stories of how the successful visionary company and the comparison company handled specific situations and weathered changes.

There are great examples and some concrete steps to uncover a company’s core ‘personality’ and build that vision! Phrases like ‘Good Enough Never Is’ are peppered throughout. It was so encouraging to read about the things we’re doing right and just need to stick with it, and to be prodded into action on areas needing attention. Recommended! – CMW