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Summary: A truly visionary book
Review: I am the owner of a medium size consultancy - still in its early years. I consult to many large corporations often on issues of long term structure and community significance. I found Built to Last an exceptional book to assist with both my consulting work, and also with the development of my own company. The depth of research and research techniques themselves are commendable. Credibility is the result. The idea that companies contributing in great measure to civilisation underlies much of this book. Why they contribute so much, and how they do it are fascinating in themselves. But it is the very concept of "built to last" that I found of greatest interest. The idea that we can build great companies, as well as great nations, and great organisations, and great families is quite inspiring. I thank the authors for their contribution to our understanding of business and increasing the sum total of wisdom in the world.
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Summary: A good book but a 9 or 10 rating??
Review: I didn't run out of ink in my hi-lighter reading this one. It was ok.
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Summary: A must for anyone interested in human performance mgmt.
Review: An instant classic for those of us who consult with organizations that seek to improve performance. Universal principles that have stood the test of time have been presented in a concrete and interesting fashion. Only three notes of caution are advised. First, the selection and head-to-head comparsions of the companies presented represents a relatively small sample from which broad and important generalizaions are drawn. Second, what would the implications be of a "fall from grace" of a company honored with the title of "visionary company?" Finally what if your company,(like a few of my clients)is short term focused toward becoming an attractive take-over target? Do these habits have short term value? This is a book you will refer to again and again.
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Summary: Very good and informative business audio-book.
Review: I found this audio-book to be filled with lots of very interesting information that the authors researched. It really shows you what visionary companies are all about. Usefull to managers and entrepenuers as well.
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Summary: Common Sense
Review: This book is an excellent study of the fundamental ingredients that go into visionary companies. These companies first and foremost are concerned with core values that sway every business decision they make. It is interesting to read this book and wonder what companies will succeed in the long term. Will Microsoft? Will your company? It looks doubtful for me.
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Summary: One of the Best Business Books I've Read This Year
Review: As an expatriate from Japan, I truly believe that if this book is read by Japanese executives of all companies on Nikkei 225, the currently battered Japanese economy will change.
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Summary: Worth every minute you invest in reading it!
Review: Many times the latest management fad is what gets the press. That is a symptom of our society, wishing immediate grativication for everything. However, this book points clearly to those companies who have mastered the process it takes to becoming an "enduring, great company." And surprisely enough the answers are not all similar across the companies studied.
We should not be amazed at the success of these companies, it is not like we haven't known the principles on which they stand. Mr. Collins and Mr. Porras have researched a very compelling study to help us all understand how we do have control and can impact the companies for which we are employed. Take the information to heart, get out of reading the "fad" books and put the facts you learn from "Built to Last" to work for you right now!
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Summary: Very reassuring for those growing against the grain
Review: I didn't expect this book to be so exciting, so informative, or to pound home the conclusions it does. I find it tremendously reassuring that the key factors of enduring success have to do with human beings, relationships, and hard work. Far from the bull hype and wet paint spins, this book is about companies with an average starting date of 1890-something. Let's wait a few more CEOs to see how Microsoft measures up. I just want to add my voice to those who feel it's a valuable text to study. As someone creating a company of human beings, particulary in a high-tech industry, this is great material to learn from.
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Summary: The review describes the book's primary themes.
Review: I hate many management books.
I have hated them for years. Many are too facile, too evangelistic, too unfulfilling, and too easy.
I compare some writers of management books to revival preachers. "If you'll only accept--if you'll only walk the aisle, then everything will work out and you will receive showers of blessings. You'll have everything you ever wanted. It's so easy. Heaven is just around the corner if you only accept."
Porras and Collins have converted me. I have walked the aisle and I believe.
I did not even remember where I read the review that initiated my search for the book. I checked the book out from the library--riskless from a cynic's point of view.
But, oh, what a great book. What superlatives can I use to describe it? Let's just say if I, like Mikey, like it, it's good.
It's good because it does not propound easy answers. It propounds fundamentals such as enunciating your core values and living them. It's about innovation. It's about taking care of your customers first. It's about building your organization as a clockmaker would a watch. It's about risks, those big harry audacious goals--those dreams-- that some companies turn into reality. Most of all it's about real companies, real people and real hard work. Take it from me, it's one of the best business books of the decade
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Summary: Excellent! Informative and practical
Review: I don't consider myself to be a "business book expert", but I do read three to four business books per year, and I found Built to Last to be the best in a long time. The authors pull together their years of research into some straightforward findings and insights. What I liked best was the abundance of specific, tangible and practical examples used to support their conculsions and suggestions. Also, many of the concepts are practical to small business managers (like myself) and department or division heads
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