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10th out of 61 books
—
27 voters
Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big
It’s an axiom of business that great companies grow their revenues and profits year after year. Yet quietly, under the radar, a small number of companies have rejected the pressure of endless growth to focus on more satisfying business goals. Goals like being great at what they do . . . creating a great place to work . . . providing great customer service . . . making gre...more
Paperback, 268 pages
Published
March 27th 2007
by Portfolio Trade
(first published 2005)
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Jan 11, 2012
Mark Oppenlander
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
business-economics
This book is an important contribution to the business literature. Although I agree with my wife that there may or may not have been any new, earth-shattering revelations in here, I can't think of another book that does such a good job of codifying what distinguishes companies with "mojo" (the author's term) from those without it. Bo Burlingham captures a ton of tangible - and anecdotal - information on what makes certain small businesses so magical.
Burlingham give case studies of 13 companies w...more
Burlingham give case studies of 13 companies w...more
This is a profile of 14 companies that chose to focus on being great at what they do rather than on growing their company in size despite many opportunities to do so.
The author finds several links between them:
1) The owners realized they had a choice of what kind of company they would be and didn't just settle on following normal understanding of what kind of growth a company should aim for
2) They overcame pressure to give up control of their company to investors for the sake of growth
3) They w...more
The author finds several links between them:
1) The owners realized they had a choice of what kind of company they would be and didn't just settle on following normal understanding of what kind of growth a company should aim for
2) They overcame pressure to give up control of their company to investors for the sake of growth
3) They w...more
Been quite a while since I've read this, it describes that most rare and mythical of creatures, a good place to work for that values its customers and staff. I need to read this again, it almost seems like an utter impossibility to work for an honest, productive and ethical organization these days. I guess they do exist, worked for one, a small, local family owned restaurant that went under, so they do exist. Like that this book examines conventional business wisdom and turns it on its ear. It s...more
Once in awhile you read a book and feel an immediate connection to it / the stories within. I read this several years ago, at a time when we were struggling to find business advice that felt like it fit the way we wanted to run a business. And lo and behold, it turns out that there are companies out there running profitable, successful businesses differently than most conventional wisdom might counsel. This book, and the Small Giants movement gaining momentum around it (see http://smallgiants.or...more
I bought this because it was on a clearance shelf and I actually started reading it simply because it was within reach when I was looking for a book to help me fall asleep...needless to say, I dove in without any expectations. But this was actually a decent, quick read. It describes a handful of businesses that opted to stay small rather than following the traditional path of expansion, and have consequently found success. I like the personalization that it offers in the detailing of the compani...more
Very good book. Seems like the owners of the companies described decided to take the road less traveled, and the businesses, communities, employees, etc, all benefited from their choice to remain small. I learned how difficult it can be to remain small vs all the pressures-but how it is sometimes the best, and only way, to maintain integrity.
I sort of wish there was more stories of both happy employees and customers-to really get a grasp on the companies' success. Also, I disagree with the autho...more
I sort of wish there was more stories of both happy employees and customers-to really get a grasp on the companies' success. Also, I disagree with the autho...more
Bo Burlingham brings up a lot of excellent points about the decisions you face when deciding the shape and strategy of your business. His passion for these "Small Giants" is clear in his writing, making the reader more attached than is often the case when reading a business book. The one drawback was the format. Burlingham organizes the book by principles or concepts he feels are important to to small giant concept. In each chapter he will touch on how a few of the companies use or exhibit this...more
Though this is truly a business book, it contains material valuable to anyone, in any walk of life. I'll get my two gripes out on the table right away, because other than these I loved this book.
First, it was a bit chaotic overall, making it hard to get my head around what specific concept the author was trying to convey or link between stories in each section.
And second, the whole premise of the book is that these are small companies that have had the chance to make it big, but have chosen not...more
First, it was a bit chaotic overall, making it hard to get my head around what specific concept the author was trying to convey or link between stories in each section.
And second, the whole premise of the book is that these are small companies that have had the chance to make it big, but have chosen not...more
What I liked best about the book was how well the author captured the spirit of the small business owners. He narrates their stories with compassion, keen insight and honesty. While I don't know that I experienced any great revelations as I shared in their journeys, I did find myself really wanting to experience directly some of their adventures. I don't think I can extend a greater compliment than saying, “After reading the book, I want to go out there and play a role in shaping a small giant.”
While the focus of this book is on smaller private companies, the messages about maintain the company’s “mojo” and core values resonate with me. I read slowly, a chapter at a time with days between so I could reflect on the messages each day. Very relevant pieces about what many of these companies did during hard times to deal with the need to reduce cost, but maintain their values. This book clued me in to my current read - "Raising the Bar"
The big takeaway I got from Small Giants was that some people have a personal preference not to expand. I think Bo Burlingham wishes he could connect it to the wonderful cultures at the company, but I didn’t really buy that aspect. I mostly enjoyed reading about the interesting starts, structures and intra-company techniques each of the featured businesses use.
A Collection of Studies small businesses who choose to be small rather than pursue growth at all costs. Well written and quite enlightening. Worth the read time. I found myself bogging down with this book 10-12 pages the on to something else to return later for more. It was not an easy book to stick wityh but it gave me some great ideas for my own business
I really love the stories in this book, and I am a big fan of a few of the "small giant" companies profiled here, like Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, and Anchor Brewing in San Francisco. I have also heard leaders in my tiny corner of the market mention this book as inspiration for building a small, effective, employee-friendly business.
I loved this book. I think it's wonderful that some companies are more concerned about who they are and how they treat their employees and what they stand for than they do about growing. Ironically, many of them grew because of their steadfastness to their values and principles.
Fantastic summary of how big public companies suck.. The book doesn't say that, but that's what I generally took away. The real economic future is in privately held companies that don't have to succumb to the pressure to grow by stock holders and thus lose their identity.
Everyone else seems to be looking for information on how to grow and expand their business as fast and as soon as possible. But the companies in this book amaze me with their restraint. They’ve consciously controlled their growth often times by rejecting unsolicited offers, sometime even rejecting customers. These entrepreneurs want more than just a profitable business. They want to create value not just for their product and service but with their employees, customers and communities.
A great book to help you understand that bigger is not always better. The books provides some great examples of what really makes a business good and how that can apply to any company.
In many ways this book certainly helps you understand that the current mantra of size as being the solution to everything is not the case. Many businesses of significantly smaller size are achieving great things and perhaps in some ways keep it small and keeping simple improves effectiveness and efficiency.
If you a...more
In many ways this book certainly helps you understand that the current mantra of size as being the solution to everything is not the case. Many businesses of significantly smaller size are achieving great things and perhaps in some ways keep it small and keeping simple improves effectiveness and efficiency.
If you a...more
Excellent read. "I couldn't book the down" as they say. It really was a good book. Made me rethink (again) my current position. Is it possible to be excited about the opportunity to go to work?
Can I design, and foster, a company that I love?
The founders and companies profiled in this book have done just that in a wide, diverse array of businesses. From Zimmerman's community of businesses (food), to Ecco manufacturing, to Ani DeFranco's Righteous Babes record label.
I am inspired and eager to se...more
Can I design, and foster, a company that I love?
The founders and companies profiled in this book have done just that in a wide, diverse array of businesses. From Zimmerman's community of businesses (food), to Ecco manufacturing, to Ani DeFranco's Righteous Babes record label.
I am inspired and eager to se...more
while certainly no "Good to Great" or must read for biz lit, this book documents and celebrates passionate American business owners who are critically concerned with growing intelligently and preserving the integrity of their organizations
Nice to learn about Anchor Brewing Company after drinking their beers for so long. Also great insights into other small businesses that were able to keep their principles and still survive and thrive - very relevant for us at Orange Photography and where we are with our company!
I have always wondered isnt faster sales, higher growth, and many other KPIs on which businesses and individuals are rated ... are inherently like accelerating your car when you know the road is about to end... this book addresses this dilemma!
Enjoyed it. The following link points to an Inc article by the author about a highly successful small pizza business. Although the article below profiles a company not in the book, it has the same feel and themes of the book.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20100201/...
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20100201/...
Very much biased with an american slant, nonetheless the examples of courage, ingenuity and a deeper sense of making it out on your own pervades the entire book. Will love to see a more international angle though.
I enjoyed. Some personalities were more magnetic than others. The author tries to define the essence of companies who choose to stay small. I don't think he defined it precisely, but he shows it thoroughly.
Jul 01, 2009
Sprizee
marked it as to-read
Unlike most free books given out at conferences this one actually seems like it will be interesting and worth reading. Picked up at the Seattle Small and Special Conference.
This is probably my favorite business book and I've read dozens of them over the years. Inspirational if you're a business owner.
Very well written. If you are in business or thinking about starting a new business than this book is certainly worth a read.
Liked reading the profiles illustrating tough choices these Small Giants make to stay in alignment with their vision.
Loved this book! Read it when is was 18 and I still think about this book often.
Among the shelves of books touting growth, growth, growth, this book stands out as an inspiration for every entrepreneur who believes there's value in keeping a lid on corporate sprawl. Bo Burlingham profiles some incredible businesses -- from Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records to Zingerman's Deli and Clif Bar -- that made a conscious decision to stay small and remain true to their values, despite pressure to get bigger. It's also engagingly written by a veteran business journalist who does a...more
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