Built To Last

Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

Jim Collins

Book Synopsis

"Built To Last" by Jim Collins is a groundbreaking book that examines the traits of successful, long-lasting companies and identifies the strategies they employ to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape. Through extensive research and case studies, Collins and his co-author Jerry I. Porras uncover the fundamental principles that enable these exceptional organizations to not only achieve exceptional financial performance but also have a lasting impact on society.

The book challenges the belief that business success requires constant reinvention and emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong foundation built on core values, purpose, and a clear vision. It explores the concept of a "BHAG" (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) as a powerful mechanism for driving long-term success and provides practical advice on how to align an organization around a BHAG.

Using a framework of shared values, Collins and Porras introduce the concept of building a "cult-like" culture that nurtures employee commitment and fosters innovation. They highlight the significance of embracing uncertainty and creating an adaptive, learning organization that can weather any storm. Furthermore, they discuss the importance of effective leadership and how it can influence the long-term success of a company.

Throughout the book, Collins and Porras illustrate their findings with compelling examples from a diverse range of industries, including Hewlett-Packard, Disney, Merck, and Nordstrom. By drawing on these real-world examples, the authors provide readers with actionable insights and practical strategies for building a company that is not only successful, but also enduring.

In essence, "Built To Last" offers a roadmap for creating and sustaining organizations that can stand the test of time. With its thought-provoking ideas and in-depth analysis, this book is a must-read for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone interested in building a company that will leave a lasting legacy.

Explore More Books

See All
Machine Learning for Dummies
The Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug
Arctica
Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens
The History of Money
Triumph Of The City
The Transit of Venus
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Live Your Truth
The Story of Civilization: The Renaissance
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Sunday Philosophy Club
The Wealth of Nations
The Cost Disease
Rational Ritual
The Last Lecture
The Half-Life of Facts
Am I Being Too Subtle?
It's Garry Shandling's Book
The Fault in Our Stars
The Qur'an
Build The Life You Want
Right Thing, Right Now
The Gallic Wars
Means Of Ascent
The Warburgs
A Father First
Cosmos
The Dream Machine
Brute
The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
The New Leadership Literacies
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics
War Nerd
A Gentleman in Moscow
Tiny Habits
Warren Buffett
The Creative Society
Master Of The Game
Prime Movers of Globalization
Buddha's Brain
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Too Dumb to Fail
Leapfrog
The Grid
The Serengeti Rules
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Catching the Big Fish
The Ascent of Money
Game Engine Black Book
How To Buy Stocks
The Art of Manipulation
Food and Nutrition
The Quiet American
Four Quartets
Netflixed
Notes From an Apocalypse
Prisoners of Geography
Awareness
Astrophysics for People In a Hurry
The Dice Man
The Happiness Hypothesis
The Upside of Inequality
The Fountainhead
The Individualists
Beyond Religion
Good Night, Little Bear
The Rape of Nanking
The Road
The Magic Of Reality
Swarm Troopers
Flying Start
The Money Game
Misbehaving
Not Zero
Homo Deus
The Tycoons
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
Ultralight Backpackin' Tips
The Precariat
The Lives of the Artists
The Road to Serfdom
Life in the English Country House
Batman
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Born Red
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Way of the Warrior Kid 3
Buffett
Napoleon
Play It Away
Stalin's War
For A New Liberty
Radical Acceptance
Competition Demystified
Who We Are and How We Got Here
Nine Pints
Civilisation
Army Of None