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Jim Collins
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Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company Paperback – September 21, 1995

by James Collins (Author), William C. Lazier (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 94 ratings
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“This is a hands-on guide to making your company a compelling marketplace force.”—Industry Week  

Every great company, no matter how large or small, has as its core a compelling vision. Beyond Entrepreneurship explains step by step how any firm can develop this vision and achieve enduring greatness. It provides a complete blueprint for steering your company to success.

Packed with real-world examples of firms that have grown and attained corporate greatness—including Nike, L.L. Bean, Mrs. Fields’ Cookies, Sony, and FedEx—this inspirational yet practical book . . .

·         Covers in depth the five key elements common to all great enduring companies
·         Shows how to lay a foundation for greatness while a company is still small and adaptable . . . how to set values, purpose, and mission, and instill them into the very roots of your organization
·         Demonstrates how to develop the most effective leadership style for your specific situation
·         Shows how to translate vision into effective day-to-day business tactics –and how to foster consistent tactical excellence in everything your company does
·         Explains how to resolve the critical strategic issues faced by every small and mid-sized firm
·         Prevents a set of concepts—and a host of practical techniques—for stimulating creativity and maintaining innovation as the company evolves

“Beyond Entrepreneurship is a blueprint for becoming great.” –Entrepreneur Magazine 
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Prentice Hall Press
  4. Publication date
    September 21, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0133815269
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0133815269
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Collins is a student and teacher of leadership and what makes great companies tick. Having invested a quarter century of research into the topic, he has authored or coauthored six books that have sold in total more than 10 million copies worldwide.Driven by a relentless curiosity, Jim began his research and teaching career on the faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts research and engages in Socratic dialogue with CEOs and senior leadership teams. In addition to his work in the business sector, James has a passion for learning and teaching in the social sectors, including education, health care, government, faith-based organizations, social ventures, and cause-driven nonprofits. In 2012 and 2013, he had the honor to serve a two-year appointment as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point.James holds a bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences and an MBA from Stanford University, and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He is an avid rock climber, with one-day ascents of the north face of Half Dome and the 3,000-foot south face of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley.

William C. Lazier was the Nancy and Charles Munger Professor of Business, Emeritus, at Stanford Law School. He graduated from Stanford in 1957 with a master's in business administration. Lazier returned there in 1982 to lecture at the Graduate School of Business, where he taught management of smaller companies and real estate for the next 11 years. He served on the boards of numerous corporations and organizations, including Diamond Rentals, American Security Products, Yes Reading, BUILD, Interplast, SCRMA, and the Stanford Bookstore. Lazier passed away in 2005 at the age of 73.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Prentice Hall Press; Ex-library edition (September 21, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0133815269
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0133815269
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 94 ratings

About the author

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Jim Collins

Jim Collins

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Jim Collins is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick, and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. Having invested more than a quarter century in rigorous research, he has authored or coauthored a series of books that have sold in total more than 10 million copies worldwide. They include Good to Great, the #1 bestseller, which examines why some companies make the leap and others don’t; the enduring classic Built to Last, which discovers why some companies remain visionary for generations; How the Mighty Fall, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and Great by Choice, which uncovers the leadership behaviors for thriving in chaos and uncertainty. Jim has also published two monographs that extend the ideas in his primary books: Good to Great and the Social Sectors and Turning the Flywheel.

His most recent publication is BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0), an ambitious upgrade of his very first book; it returns Jim to his original focus on small, entrepreneurial companies and honors his coauthor and mentor Bill Lazier.

Driven by a relentless curiosity, Jim began his research and teaching career on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts research and engages with CEOs and senior-leadership teams.

In addition to his work in the business sector, Jim has a passion for learning and teaching in the social sectors, including education, healthcare, government, faith-based organizations, social ventures, and cause-driven nonprofits. In 2012 and 2013, he had the honor to serve a two-year appointment as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Jim holds a bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences and an MBA from Stanford University, and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. In 2017, Forbes selected Jim as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
94 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and practical for learning business basics. They describe it as a good reference for CEOs and managers on how to articulate vision and purpose. The content includes great examples and pointers that can be implemented immediately.

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ReadabilityContent variety
19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and insightful. It provides practical advice on strategic planning for CEOs and managers. The lessons are timeless and provide a good refresher for business owners.

"...pretend to be scientific in its recommendations: it is a kind of merger of philosophy, business strategy, and management in a single readable volume...." Read more

"...the are used, and the book provides an example of a short, concise strategy document that is clear enough to assist in decision making and short..." Read more

"...Even though it was written over 20 years ago, the lessons here are timeless, and many companies (including startups/unicorns) are struggling with..." Read more

"...foundation were presented in a step by step manner that were easy to follow. The examples helped keep us on track." Read more

3 customers mention "Content variety"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's content variety. They find it easy to read with great examples and practical pointers that can be implemented immediately.

"...It's chuck full of pointers that can be implemented immediately; there's no fluff to wade through. My copy is heavily marked up and dog-eared...." Read more

"...Easy to read and contains many great examples. The only caveat is that it was published around 1994, if I remember correctly...." Read more

"This book is great stuff..So much wisdom and so many bits and pieces of true leadership gems...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Andrew Montalenti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled by the age: this book is a classic, just as applicable now as ever
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I first heard of this book because it was recommended by Reed Hastings (CEO, Netflix) as a must-read for young entrepreneurs. I was not disappointed with the purchase, despite having to track down a used softcover copy.

    Originally published in 1992, this book is notable for its focus/devotion to a single concept: how business managers/leaders can build the foundation of an everlasting company into the bones/genes of their institution while the company is still small.

    Part of why the book is so good is that it does not pretend to be scientific in its recommendations: it is a kind of merger of philosophy, business strategy, and management in a single readable volume. Jim Collins' later books (Good to Great, Built to Last) would focus on trying to build a data-oriented foundation for understanding company greatness, whereas this book focused much more on vision formulation, strategic decision-making, and team dynamics. To me, it is therefore a much more important book than his later best-sellers, and, more actionable, to boot. Many of the illustrative company examples also ended up (mostly) withstanding the test of time: HP, IBM, Apple, Patagonia, Nike, Herman Miller, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, among others.

    I think if you are a young business leader looking for guidance of how to take your company from its first decade to its second/third and beyond, this is the book for you, despite it being over 25 years old. Highly recommended.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Kokoro45
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best short intro to strategy for small companies
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The book focuses on start up companies which have had some initial success and seek to establish themselves as enduring enterprises. I have used this book several times with early stage clients and found it clear and helpful, especially to those just starting to deal with business strategy. The middle chapters contain the basic terminology and frame work.

    Strategies only have value if the are used, and the book provides an example of a short, concise strategy document that is clear enough to assist in decision making and short enough to be actually used by the entire company.

    There's a lot more to strategic thinking that this book covers, but it is a good, practical place to start.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sol
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sage advice shared in a straightforward way
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very insightful book about the importance company values and vision -- both often overlooked by companies/leadership. A lot of parallels between this book and the Netflix culture deck.

    What I love about this book is that the authors will give a piece of advice at a high level and then they will back it up with lots of real-world examples, and explain why that advice is important.

    It's also a relatively quick read without much filler, which I appreciate. Even though it was written over 20 years ago, the lessons here are timeless, and many companies (including startups/unicorns) are struggling with these issues today.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • S. Miner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ain't Much to Look at. But looks are deceiving
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A quick glance at this book's cover is enough to drive anyone away. Ignore this impulse because, after reading its contents, you will be much better prepared to take your business to a higher level. I've read dozens of business books and this one sits on top of them all as the best one around. It's chuck full of pointers that can be implemented immediately; there's no fluff to wade through. My copy is heavily marked up and dog-eared. I refer back to it again and again.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lora D Roland
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Expectations
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I was leery because the book was written in the early 90s. Although all the online hoopla and social media was not in existence the materials presented in the book are relevant. All the building blocks for a solid business foundation were presented in a step by step manner that were easy to follow. The examples helped keep us on track.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Anon
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book (and MBA course) on entrepreneurship
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Unless there are videos someplace, reading this book is the closest you can get to sitting in Jim Collins' class on entrepreneurship at Stanford (circa 1990). It's a distillation of what he taught in that class, minus the palpable energy he brought to every session and in particular the final class of each term. Twenty four years later, I still return to this book for inspiration and ideas for leadership, crafting strategy, creating genuine passion in a company, and gaining alignment. I'd also recommend Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive to build and sustain alignment. Both are useful.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Ron Hollis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Presentation on the Fundamentals of Business Execution
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent business book. I have read 100's of books on business and this one is at the top of the list. I pride myself on business leadership, strategy development and execution. Collin and Lazier did an excellent job of laying out the requirements of being a performing CEO and the fundamentals to use to build a successful business.

    I discovered this book after watching a video with Reed Hastings (Netflix) and he mentioned this book being influential in the development of his business skills.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Antonio Damián
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente producto.
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 14, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Excelente producto.
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  • Deep
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful for business owners!
    Reviewed in India on March 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great content and structure.
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  • Parvinder Sandhu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Simply awesome
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  • Antonio H
    5.0 out of 5 stars la guía del fundador de netflix
    Reviewed in Spain on February 12, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Dice siempre Reed Hastings que este es uno de los pocos libros que él recomienda y que lo lee todos los años. No es de los más famosos del autor, tal vez porque no se centra tanto en empresas consolidadas (sus grandes estudios) sino en emprendedores, pero como todos los de Collins no puede faltar entre quien quiera aprender sobre estrategia empresarial
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  • O
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great
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