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32nd out of 88 books
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57 voters
Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All
The new question: Ten years after the worldwide bestseller "Good to Great," Jim Collins returns to ask: Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not? In "Great by Choice," Collins and his colleague, Morten T. Hansen, enumerate the principles for building a truly great enterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous, and fast-moving times.
The new st
...moreKindle Edition
Published
(first published January 1st 2011)
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Collins, Jim and Morten T. Hansen (2011) Great by Choice, Harper Business, New York, NY. In this book, Jim Collins compares 7 companies that have performed extraordinarily well during times of great turbulence and uncertainty, while 7 comparison companies in the same industries under the same conditions were not able to perform as well. He calls the high-performing companies the “10Xers” because they outperform comparison companies by an average of 10 times better. The practices of the 7 compani...more
[경영구루/경영구라?]
Jim Collins가 최근 Great by Choice라는 세간에는 '경영철학서'로 불리고
그렇게 분류될 만하다고 평가되는 책을 출간하였다.
우리나라에서도 '위대한 기업의 선택'이라는 제목으로 번역/출간되었는데
이젠 어지간한 인기작가의 책들은 거의 해외출판과 동시에 번역출판되는 듯하다.
그만큼 우리나라 경영서적 독자들의 Global perspective의 지평이 넓어졌다고
봐도 될듯.
이번 책은 Built to last, Good to Great, Why the mighty fall?에 이은 책에서의
(본인 스스로의 주장은) 일관된 이론하에서 기획된 책이라고 한다.
하지만, 변화가 워낙 빠르고, 그 변화의 Impact또한 날이 갈수록 심해지는
Black Swan(나심 니콜라스 탈레브 저서의 제목에서 나온 표현으로
한마리의 흑조가 기존에 모든 백조는 흰색이다라는 명제를 완전히
뒤집었던 것처럼 자본주의의 기조자체를 뒤 흔드는 엄청난, 그리고
확률적으로는 매우 희박하지만 발생하면...more
Jim Collins가 최근 Great by Choice라는 세간에는 '경영철학서'로 불리고
그렇게 분류될 만하다고 평가되는 책을 출간하였다.
우리나라에서도 '위대한 기업의 선택'이라는 제목으로 번역/출간되었는데
이젠 어지간한 인기작가의 책들은 거의 해외출판과 동시에 번역출판되는 듯하다.
그만큼 우리나라 경영서적 독자들의 Global perspective의 지평이 넓어졌다고
봐도 될듯.
이번 책은 Built to last, Good to Great, Why the mighty fall?에 이은 책에서의
(본인 스스로의 주장은) 일관된 이론하에서 기획된 책이라고 한다.
하지만, 변화가 워낙 빠르고, 그 변화의 Impact또한 날이 갈수록 심해지는
Black Swan(나심 니콜라스 탈레브 저서의 제목에서 나온 표현으로
한마리의 흑조가 기존에 모든 백조는 흰색이다라는 명제를 완전히
뒤집었던 것처럼 자본주의의 기조자체를 뒤 흔드는 엄청난, 그리고
확률적으로는 매우 희박하지만 발생하면...more
From the author of Built to Last, Good to Great and How the Mighty Fall, which are all great, this one starts of a bit disappointing. Mainly because Jim Collins refers to the fact that the research material consists mainly of information from before 2002. A lot has happened since then! Reading on you discover that the principles this book is based on seem to be universal. The examples are - as in all of Collins' books - very good. He constantly compares 10X (e.g. succesfull companies) with a rel...more
Sep 14, 2012
Robert Chapman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
business,
leadership
Having read Good to Great, I was very excited to dive into the latest book from Jim Collins. What I loved about Good to Great was the statistical analysis and deep investigative work which was done to reach the conclusions presented.
Great by Choice uses this same analysis style to produce what I though were some very surprising results. The main difference between Good to Great and Great by Choice is the criteria used to select the great companies and their comparison companies. The criteria use...more
Great by Choice uses this same analysis style to produce what I though were some very surprising results. The main difference between Good to Great and Great by Choice is the criteria used to select the great companies and their comparison companies. The criteria use...more
This book answers the question why some companies thrive while others grow sporadically when facing the same economic conditions.
Jim Collins breaks it down into 5 basic strategies:
10Xers
20 Mile March
Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs
Leading above the Death Line
SMaC
The two that were most memorable and important to me (though they are all intertwined in the end) are:
Fire bullets, then cannonballs and SMac.
The bullets / cannonballs analogy has to do with responding to opportunities. The great companie...more
Jim Collins breaks it down into 5 basic strategies:
10Xers
20 Mile March
Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs
Leading above the Death Line
SMaC
The two that were most memorable and important to me (though they are all intertwined in the end) are:
Fire bullets, then cannonballs and SMac.
The bullets / cannonballs analogy has to do with responding to opportunities. The great companie...more
What were some of the most shocking / memorable incidents you can recollect since the last 10 years?
• 9/11?
• The Financial Meltdown? Lehman Brothers? Billions getting wiped out?
• The iPod, iPad, iPhone revolution?
A lot has happened in the last 10 years.
Giants who were invincible are now forever invisible.
The corporations with abundant financial health are today on a dying life support system.
The mortal legends whom we always remembered have become the immortal legacies we will never forget.
So mu...more
This was a quick read for me and very inspiring. I've loved the other Jim Collins' books, including Good to Great, which is a must read for anyone in business. In this book he compares companies that have strived in uncertainty, or companies that did 10 times better than most companies in the same timeframe. He calls these companies 10Xers and they are as follows: Amgen, Biomet, Intel, Microsoft, Progressive Insurance, Southwest Airlines and Stryker. He also relates the story of Roald Amundsen's...more
This book was recommended by a coworker who've also referred me to Emotional Intelligence 2.0--another great book for my leadership development. In Collins' new book he relies on the method you've seen in previous books like Built to Last and Good to Great. What's different in this one is he selected companies not just on their status or explosive growth, but because they succeeded in an extreme and uncertain environment. However, there's a caveat here: his research stopped in 2002, meaning ther...more
Wow another classic from Jim Collins! Great by Choice is a definite read for anybody trying to make an effect change in the world through organizations and companies.
This time around Jim is joined by University of California Berkeley Business Professor Morten Hansen as they work to answer the question, "Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not?" To answer this question both Collins and Morten use the matched-pair case method in which they pair a 10Xer or high fl...more
This time around Jim is joined by University of California Berkeley Business Professor Morten Hansen as they work to answer the question, "Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not?" To answer this question both Collins and Morten use the matched-pair case method in which they pair a 10Xer or high fl...more
It usually takes some persistence for me to build momentum enough to read books in this genre. This one was recommended by a mentor at just the right time. There were many kernels of wisdom and interesting takeaways from Collins’ research. If you are interested in leadership, this is a read I recommend. “Greatness is not primarily a matter of circumstance; greatness is first and foremost a matter of conscious choice and discipline.”
SPOILER ALERT: I chose to give the following synopsis as part of...more
SPOILER ALERT: I chose to give the following synopsis as part of...more
Study of seven companies (10Xers) and their direct comparisons during a period of uncertainty.
1) The enterprise sustained truly spectacular results for an era of 15+ years relative to the general stock market and relative to its industry.
2) The enterprise achieved these results in a particularly turbulent environment, full of events that were uncontrollable, fast-moving, uncertain, and potentially harmful.
3) The enterprise began its rise to greatness from a position of vulnerability, being young...more
1) The enterprise sustained truly spectacular results for an era of 15+ years relative to the general stock market and relative to its industry.
2) The enterprise achieved these results in a particularly turbulent environment, full of events that were uncontrollable, fast-moving, uncertain, and potentially harmful.
3) The enterprise began its rise to greatness from a position of vulnerability, being young...more
This book is an engaging exploration of why some companies become great while others don't, despite experiencing similar uncertainty, chaos, and “luck”. It shows that greatness depends on action and discipline, not circumstance or luck. Essentially, success depends more on what we do than what the world does to us. This finding is encouraging and empowering, since we often feel that we’re at the mercy of forces outside our control.
I liked the point that one of the most important forms of luck is...more
I liked the point that one of the most important forms of luck is...more
Another fantastic book by Collins. Great by Choice highlights what separates companies that survive and thrive amidst chaos and unpredictable events from the companies that flounder. One of my favorite concepts was that of the 20 Mile March, which is characterized by establishing a lower bound of acceptable achievement and an upper bound, and having the discipline to inhabit the in-between space, never falling below your lower bound in rough times, and never overextending yourself beyond the upp...more
All this certainly makes sense, but it could have been put into a white paper instead of a book. I've only read this and Good to Great, but the other two books are mentioned quite frequently. In total, I think Collins' research points out the essential things that make companies great, but I'm not sure they can be replicated by most companies. At the heart of companies that Collins identifies as great, are great leaders. Not talking necessarily about charismatic leaders, but those still, these a...more
This book is the fourth from Jim Collins in his line of books that study how companies succeed or fail with the broader context of how any organization succeeds or fails. This time with co-author Morten T. Hansen, Collins uses the same format to lay out the precepts for how a handful of start-up companies beat the market trends despite the rapidly changing and chaotic environments in which they found themselves.
I read this book as part of the organizational leadership team at Two Rivers Public...more
I read this book as part of the organizational leadership team at Two Rivers Public...more
I love Jim Collins' books, and it's a shame that they're thought of as business books. Though the research centers upon businesses due to the many common and comparable factors that businesses share, all of the concepts that his research team infer from the data are applicable to any type of organization.
Great by Choice, concentrating on why some companies manage to thrive in adversity while others go bust, is certainly timely, but it seems briefer and simpler that Collins' Good to Great and Bui...more
Great by Choice, concentrating on why some companies manage to thrive in adversity while others go bust, is certainly timely, but it seems briefer and simpler that Collins' Good to Great and Bui...more
An outstanding read. I found much that was challenging, confirming and helpful in this book.
As our ministry continues along in a period of unprecedented growth, we're grappling with sustainability issues, controlled growth models and refining the vision we're called to (the hedgehog from Good To Great). The 20 Mile March and the SMaC chapters gave me a lot to anchor to. The Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs is an innovative expression of classic entrepreneurial stuff, but contains a great reminder...more
As our ministry continues along in a period of unprecedented growth, we're grappling with sustainability issues, controlled growth models and refining the vision we're called to (the hedgehog from Good To Great). The 20 Mile March and the SMaC chapters gave me a lot to anchor to. The Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs is an innovative expression of classic entrepreneurial stuff, but contains a great reminder...more
What is the role of luck in business, leadership, and life? Comparing similar companies in especially chaotic and uncertain industries (health care, airline, computers, etc.) Collins and Hansen’s research indicates that more than just luck separates the winners and losers. Rather, the winners – labeled 10X companies (those companies that outperformed the industry index by at least 10 times) – exhibited fanatic discipline, empirical creativity, and productive paranoia. 10X companies relied on a d...more
Key Learnings:
1. Great companies observed what worked, figured out why it worked, and built upon proven foundations. (Pg. 9)
2. Great companies were more disciplined, more empirical and more paranoid. (Pg. 9)
3. A trump card for success is the ability to scale innovation, to blend creativity with discipline. (Pg. 10)
4. Just because your environment is rocked by dramatic changed does not mean that you should inflict radical change upon yourself. (Pg. 10)
5. "You don't wait until you're in an unexpec...more
1. Great companies observed what worked, figured out why it worked, and built upon proven foundations. (Pg. 9)
2. Great companies were more disciplined, more empirical and more paranoid. (Pg. 9)
3. A trump card for success is the ability to scale innovation, to blend creativity with discipline. (Pg. 10)
4. Just because your environment is rocked by dramatic changed does not mean that you should inflict radical change upon yourself. (Pg. 10)
5. "You don't wait until you're in an unexpec...more
The concepts in this book are solid. The text seemed somewhat repetitive. Not only that, but just about all of their findings about what distinguishes companies that blow away the competition even in tough times are simply rigorous application of the theory of what works. Zoom out, zoom in? Use both Sensing and Intuition. SMaC? Keeping what works is the strength of those who prefer Introversion and Sensing, and further, is often seen as "resistance" by leaders with other preferences. I've never...more
One of the best business books I have read in a long time. Data and fact checking junkies will get their fix with another gem by the great Jim Collins. Jim is known for the mega bestselling book Good To Great which has been read not just by business people but any sort of leader in any sort of field (sales, military, schools, ect). I feel like these same kind of people will enjoy the information in Great By Choice.
Great By Choice focuses in on the tumultuous, modern times and how some companies...more
Great By Choice focuses in on the tumultuous, modern times and how some companies...more
We cannot predict the future. But we can create it.
Think back to 15 years ago, and consider what's happened since, the destabilizing events — in the world, in your country, in the markets, in your work, in your life — that defied all expectations. We can be astonished, confounded, shocked, stunned, delighted, or terrified, but rarely prescient. None of us can predict with certainty the twists and turns our lives will take. Life is uncertain, the future unknown.
Author of bestselling business book...more
Think back to 15 years ago, and consider what's happened since, the destabilizing events — in the world, in your country, in the markets, in your work, in your life — that defied all expectations. We can be astonished, confounded, shocked, stunned, delighted, or terrified, but rarely prescient. None of us can predict with certainty the twists and turns our lives will take. Life is uncertain, the future unknown.
Author of bestselling business book...more
Apr 04, 2012
Mike Ogilvie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
business-helpful
In some ways Great by Choice is similar to other books I've read on running a business. The advice and strategies are spot-on and undeniably the right course of action if you want your business to become great (particularly through turbulent times). In other ways, this book is much better - it deals with more fundamental aspects of how to sustain a business, the importance of preparation, and overall a general attitude that should be adopted.
The core concept of the book revolves around preparin...more
The core concept of the book revolves around preparin...more
I like the book, it was a quick read and I got a lot out of it. It was written primarily towards taking a business or company to the level of 10X improvements. In my position, it is more about driving 10X improvements in myself and those around for me. We each need to do our part in order for the whole company to improve. A few of the excellent points from the individual perspective:
* Victory awaits him who has everything in order—luck people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected...more
* Victory awaits him who has everything in order—luck people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected...more
Jim Collins continues to write some very good books on business leadership and factors of success. His latest work Great By Choice looks at what are some of the themes and factors that make some companies successful through turbulent times, while others lag or fall apart completely. He does this by picking 7 different companies that have maintained performance 10 times the market average and comparing them to 7 different companies in the same field/market, who failed to achieve anywhere near tha...more
Once again Jim Collins creates a compelling case. He piggybacks on his research from the first three books "Built to Last," "Good to Great," and "How the Mighty Fall." Collins and Hansen teamed up to find out why some companies seemed to thrive during turbulent times while its competitors plummeted. Their attention to detail is unparalleled. An early analogy in the book is told through the story of Amundsen and Scott, two adventurers seeking to be the first to set foot on the South Pole in the e...more
Jim Collins wrote another gem. It is not as good as Good to Great (one of my top two all-time business favorites....Thriving on Chaos is the other), but it is still an outstanding book. The volatile nature of business in this day and age is a reality....Great by Choice really does offer practical, effective teaching to thrive in such an environment. Mr. Collins took an unusual research approach: he selected the companies with the greatest 15 year returns on shareholders equity during the late 19...more
Overall, great book with some unique insights. I've read Good to Great and liked that a lot, so I thought I'd give this a read.
I particularly liked the analogies drawn to the Everest climb and the race to the South Pole, both with tragic endings for the also-rans.
The book could easily have been a quarter shorter. As with most management books, it felt like it was written for someone with low IQ or hasn't finished college, a lot of stating the obvious, e.g., "Successful business leaders prepare...more
I particularly liked the analogies drawn to the Everest climb and the race to the South Pole, both with tragic endings for the also-rans.
The book could easily have been a quarter shorter. As with most management books, it felt like it was written for someone with low IQ or hasn't finished college, a lot of stating the obvious, e.g., "Successful business leaders prepare...more
Uncertainty is in the nature. Often it is thought that the people or companies, which are achieving they have an extraordinary luck. Specially, here in the third world country like Pakistan, people believe that only Pakistanis face uncertainty due to many causes.
Jim Collin`s new study that has been presented in his new book, "Great by Choice" tells astonishing facts about success in this fast growing world. The challenges of the new era are not need to tackle with fast strategy, but with wisdom...more
Jim Collin`s new study that has been presented in his new book, "Great by Choice" tells astonishing facts about success in this fast growing world. The challenges of the new era are not need to tackle with fast strategy, but with wisdom...more
Jim Collins blows my mind again. When I had read Good to Great, it was easy to judge originally since several of the businesses had fallen apart by the time the book was published. But as Collins has pointed out in interviews and again in this book, they had often gone broke for ignoring what they were good at in the first place. In this book, he takes it a bit farther by focusing on companies that have forged a steady path from their inception, beating their competitors by, on average, 10x by t...more
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Jim Collins is a student and teacher of enduring great companies — how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested over a decade of research into the topic, Jim has authored or co-authored four books, i...more
More about Jim Collins...
Jim Collins is a student and teacher of enduring great companies — how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested over a decade of research into the topic, Jim has authored or co-authored four books, i...more
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