76 pages • 2 hours read
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
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Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
1990s
1994
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras is a nonfiction analysis of what defines visionary companies, based on a six-year research project. The authors identify key characteristics of such companies, including core ideology, maintaining consistent core values, fostering experimentation, and promoting internal leadership development. Collating historical data from surveys of Fortune 500 and Inc 500 CEOs, they pair 18 visionary companies with similar firms for comparison, highlighting how visionary companies integrate dualities like idealism and profit, and short- and long-term goals while preserving their core ideologies and striving for continual progress.
Informative
Inspirational
Challenging
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
81,719 ratings
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Review Roundup
Jim Collins' Built to Last is widely praised for its deep insights into the principles that make visionary companies successful over the long term. Readers appreciate the extensive research and practical applications. However, some criticize its focus on large, established firms, arguing it may not be as relevant for startups or smaller businesses.
Who Should Read Built to Last?
Readers who would enjoy Built to Last by Jim Collins are business enthusiasts and leaders eager to understand the principles behind enduringly successful companies. Similar to fans of Good to Great and The Innovator's Dilemma, they appreciate data-driven insights and strategic methodologies for building visionary organizations.
81,719 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jerry Porras
Jerry Porras
An esteemed academic and author, recognized for his contributions to management studies, who collaborated with Jim Collins on the book "Built to Last." He served as a tenured professor at Stanford University.
Tom Peters and Robert Waterman
Tom Peters and Robert Waterman
Initiators of a research project at McKinsey & Co., which evolved into the influential work "In Search of Excellence," encountered by Jim Collins early in his career.
William McKnight
William McKnight
A standout CEO of 3M identified as a "clock builder," pivotal in shaping 3M's approach to innovation and management.
William Allen
William Allen
Boeing's Chairman who championed the development of the 747, embodying the commitment to huge challenges and risks.
David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller
An influential leader at Chase Manhattan, illustrating challenges associated with suppressing evolutionary progress after his departure.
James Stillman
James Stillman
A visionary leader at Citicorp who transformed it into a national bank and exemplified the "clock building" mentality.
Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Founder of General Electric, representing innovation and setting the stage for the company's lasting legacy.
Sam Walton
Sam Walton
Founder of Wal-Mart recognized as both a visionary and a superb clock builder, instrumental in developing the company's core ideology and practices.
Harry Cohn
Harry Cohn
Founder of Columbia Pictures, whose profit-driven motives led to challenges and eventual sale after his death.
368
Book • Nonfiction
1990s
1994
Adult
18+ years
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