Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Excellent and must have.

Good to great summarises the findings from extensive research into what makes certain high performing companies outperform their peers. The findings are both interesting and capable of being replicated by any company that wishes to improve performance. This book is very concise and full of interesting case studies. It was one of the few occasions when I wished the book could have been a bit longer. Well researched, well written, well done! Here are some of the learnings I will be taking away from this book: • All Good to great (“GTG”) companies had a Level 5 leader • Level 5 leaders consistently exhibit humility, modesty and an ability to reign in their ego. • Many companies are drawn towards outgoing egocentric leaders and this is often the wrong choice. • Level 5 leaders are more interested in something larger and more lasting than their own career • GTG leaders concentrate on hiring the right people before deciding on strategy • Don’t compromise when hiring. If you’re not confident then keep looking • When someone needs to leave the company act quickly • Give your best people the best opportunities and not your biggest problems • GTG management teams have rigorous debates and aren’t afraid to share their views. But when a decision is made they act as one • GTG companies ensure information flows give management the right facts to manage the business effectively • GTG companies foster a culture where employee’s views are heard and acted upon • GTG companies review failures without negative consequences for the people involved • Figuring out how to motivate people is a waste of time. If you hire the right people they will motivate themselves. • Good to great companies did one thing exceptionally well and stuck to it (the hedgehog process) • GTG companies developed their strategy from a deep understanding of what they could be world class at. This was not a goal or intention but an understanding of reality • GTG companies typically focussed on one KPI e.g. profit per customer • GTG companies were incredibly disciplined and did not waste time and money on unrelated activities and acquisitions • GTG companies used technology as an accelerator of, not creator of, momentum • Careful consideration should be given to whether a given technology fits with your hedgehog concept • GTG companies often looked like an overnight success from the outside but in reality they were long in the making and a result of persistent action over a long period of time. • Preserve core values and purpose while strategies and practices endlessly adapt with the changing world

I would recommend it to anyone in the entrepreneurial journey and so on...

Good to Great has to rate in the top five of the many business books I have read and digested in my career. Not only is it a great read, but there is data to back up all the research and help the reader draw comparisons between what is a good business and what is a great business. It also sets out the path that will take your business to greatness by using, level 5 leadership, finding the people and then the product, confronting the brutal facts, and setting in motion the flywheel that is essential in order to gain momentum to propel you forward. A must read!

Great book

Helps me with my plans for world domination.

The book highlights a few key points to make a company successful. It's very clearly written, and It's a pleasant book to read. It's well backed by serious scientific research, as all statements are proven by scientific research done over existing US companies. It's very applicable in real life, regardless of your management level (eg : the tip on getting the right people is not only true for a CEO, but for anyone building a team). It's a rather generalist book, I assume each topic can be deep dived with specific books, but it's a very good overall introduction.

I read this book with great interest as it's selection criteria for the finally selected 11 companies was strict and the author does not withold any information on the selection process either. The end of the book lists its selection criteria, complete with a comprehensive FAQ section. The final selection consists of 11 good to great companies (Selected from 1435 Fortune 500 companies) and 17 comparison companies that could not qualify. The primary selection process consisted of baselining the 'good to great' companies at three times the market for fifteen years including 15 years of good performance (1.25 time the general stock market) preceding the transition while the company had to be an established, on going company, not a startup. Pretty strict criteria that has led to some eye opening findings. Most of the findings can be browsed by reading the reviews on the Amazon .co.uk and .com sites. A MUST READ BOOK for all aspiring and current leaders.

My review is not about the content of the book. My review is about the quality of the book. It says hardcover but it comes a printed in loose paper and wrapped in what it seems a copy not original book.. with the price paid for the book, it was shocking and disappointing.

Vary enjoyable thank you

De los mejores libros que he leído sobre gestión empresarial. No vas a encontrar muchos tecnicismos ni estrategias financieras o corporativas específicas, sino todo un conjunto de directrices y paradigmas que debe adoptar una empresa que pretende diferenciarse de las demás. Se centra en principios tan importantes como el liderazgo, la proactividad, sesgos irracionales que provocan excesos de confianza y de alejan de la realidad, etc. Un muy buen libro, en definitiva.

The book contains practical and applicable insights that you can start to implement in every company and department, regardless of the size and area. This would increase the good people on board, and will make your Company improve its results

This is a fascinating book, based on several years of research, as opposed to just one person's experience/opinion. If becoming great is interesting to you, this is probably a good read.