Good To Great Hardcover – 1 January 2010

If you have read this book already; you know that my learning and review of this book could have been tweaked up a little, hence I decided to write the overview of this book. I am sure you too will love to read this book if you have not read it already.Book Overview – “Good to Great” by Jim Collins-This book describes the characteristics of many companies who leaped from being a good company to a great company. However, many companies fail to make the evolution from good to great. Jim Collins along with a team of 21 researchers researched the financial analysis of many companies. They came with the list of companies whose growth and achievement far outperformed the market or industry average, and eventually achieved corporate greatness. To know the list of companies, do check out the book.The author suggests readers consider the transformation of good to great as a process of build-up followed by breakthrough. There are mainly 3 stages to determine a company’s ability to achieve greatness:1- Disciplined People2- Disciplined Thought3- Disciplined ActionAdditionally, within each of the 3 stages Author defines explicit characteristics of companies that went from good to great:- Level 5 LeadershipThese leaders channelize their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. This doesn’t mean that Level 5 leaders don’t have ego or self-interest. Certainly, they are extremely ambitious—however, their ambition is first and primary for the organization, not themselves- First Who, Then WhatFirst, you need to get the right people in your company (Leadership Team) and figure out the best path to greatness. You don't need to find “what to do?” in hurry. First, build a team of people with the right skill and mindset, then decide what this great team will do for the company (what to do?).- Confront the Brutal FactsContinuously hone your path to greatness based on the brutal facts. Face the reality, good or bad, and act accordingly.- Hedgehog ConceptThis concept originated from the story of Fox and Hedgehog, where the hedgehog sees what is most essential and discount what is non-essential. Hedgehog Concept is made up of 3 intersecting circlesCircle 1- What you are deeply passionate about?Circle 2- What you can be the best in the world at?Circle 3- What drives your economic engine?- Culture of DisciplineThis is not just about action; it is about getting disciplined people who engage in disciplined thought and then take disciplined action.- Technology AcceleratorsPioneering sensibly certain technology as an accelerator of momentum.- The Flywheel and the Doom LoopAs you determinedly push the flywheel and build thrust you will ultimately hit a point of breakthrough. On other hand, the doom loop is a lack of gathering momentum where a company skips build-up and goes straight to breakthrough, which in turn, fails to uphold a steady direction.Based on the studies and research Collins concludes that there is substantial evidence that early leaders followed the good-to-great framework. Notable point is that they did so as entrepreneurs in early-stage enterprises. Even though the companies analyzed in Good to Great was enterprise companies; the author saw the same characteristics in small, early-stage enterprises.My 2 Cents…This book was released in 2001, as of today some of the great companies featured in this book are no longer great. However, the author and his research team viewed and analyzed these companies as looking into the past, hence didn’t claim future success of these companies. They put across the data spanning 15 years span where they were great, and the characteristics that lead them to that point.The author has not claimed that companies mentioned in the book as great will always remain great.I found this book very well researched, and Jim Collins and his team have done a great work presenting such vast data and case studies in a categoric format. Their methodology does have some flaws but it's best to focus on the positives as this book does provide great insights on the characteristics of good to great companies.

I have had the pleasure of reading Good to Great, once every year since 2011. I am glad and fortunate that this book grounds me. This book is one of the few rereads every year along with other great books such as The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight and Moment of Truth by Jan Carlzon.

The writer Jim Collins talks about 6 key principles a company needs to have in order to transform itself into a great company. Of course this isn't a secret formula, these are just observations which Jim Colins collated by researching dozen of companies who have indeed transformed themselves from good to great. He and his team found 6 elements which made these companies what they are today. Jim provides you the ingredients which make a great company. How to use them is totally upto you. You can add your own elements or things that you have read from other books or subtract what you don't find suitable for your company. The final understanding is simply yours.I found this book very well researched and Jim Collins and his team have done a fantastic job on presentating such vast data and case studies in a categoric format. Their methodology does have some flaws but its best to focus on the positives as this book does provide great insights into what it takes to take a company from good to great.

Book contains in depth research on the topic and the topics presented are put together in logical sequence.The main points of the book remain in front of the reader so that the reader does not lose focus and puts the topics in his mind map. I thoroughly enjoyed reading, planning to buy the other famous one by the author, build to last.

It is a hardcover book, so not very easy to carry.I want to know why hardcover book is cheaper than paperback.Overall book cover, paper and print quality is good.A book that will remain sturdy for large number of years.

Mr. Collin and his team has done a great job couple of decades ago to put their research on good to great companies into a book. It is not only recommend for entrepreneur & CEOs but also to individuals who want to know the secret behind the success of many great companies we see today.

Great book to read for those who wants to create sustainable and excelling team, company.However, the seller sent me old book or used book.. Not happy with the seller.

A Good Book to read, It's perception of individuals how he/she accepts the topics covered in the book. Clearly approached with idea's on research based content. Discussed deliberately some key issues with the organisations & deligators. Empowers area of weakness. But you will in dilemma after knowing the organisations taken as role model to explain got in vain in lateral years.