by
3.62 of 5 stars
Based on a five-year, 7,000-company study

The vast majority of small businesses stay small–and not by choice. Only the most sav... read full description

reviews

Oct 03, 2011
Franco rated it: 4 of 5 stars
GREAT; as a betting man myself, i loved Chapter 4 'Upping the Ante'. It covers the psychology of betting, why gambling gives betting a bad name and physics of bets, types of bets (i.e. market bets, process bets) and the art of linking bets together to build reald advantage over your competitors.

GOOD; The author chose companies from the Inc 500 list in order to analyze the key features of success, i.e. becoming a breakthrough company. Here the author chose well since most of the books c More...
Jul 25, 2008
Robert rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Breakthrough Company: How Everyday Companies Become Extraordinary Performers
Keith R. McFarland
Crown Business

During a casual conversation with Jim Collins several years ago, McFarland wondered aloud what could be learned about great companies closer to the time of their entrepreneurial breakthrough. "What a great research question," Collins replied. Later, McFarland formulated three questions that would guide and inform research for The Breakthrough Company: More...
2 comments like (1 person liked it)
Apr 06, 2008
Gene rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book offers insight into what it takes to grow a business. It does not target start-ups, but rather companies of moderate size that wish to continue to grow. Anyone in a leadership position in a moderate-size organization can benefit from the principles outlined in this book.

Based on meticulous research, the author compares nine companies that displayed long-term growth with industry competitors that stalled. Similar in structure to Jim Collins' business classic Good to Great More...
Dec 01, 2011
Thoria rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I read this at the behest of my boss. There's really nothing terribly new here, but it is a good compilation of the things that we all "know" about what makes groups of humans successful, but seem to forget.
May 08, 2011
Allison rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Good business book. Some interesting points, some less-interesting points. If you're entrepreneurially minded you may enjoy this more.
Jun 17, 2009
Errol rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The author hits this topic squarely. He delivers valuable insights for mid-market managers wanting to step up their business.
Feb 23, 2009
Kenny rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Great look at a few companies that are doing things "right". Right by they workers and right by their shareholders.
Aug 05, 2011
Natalie added it
A well-written and well-researched guide on how to make a growing company stay successful through its transition to major player. Keith McFarland is clear and thorough. Very informative.
Aug 23, 2011
Weni marked it as to-read
7 ribu saja (edisi indo), dari www.granadabooks.com
May 11, 2010
Scott rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It's pretty good. I didn't find anything really new.
Mar 20, 2009
Todd rated it: 4 of 5 stars
While I am not a big fan of carrying over trendy corporate practices into the church just becasue they're "successul," I must admit I found a lot of good ideas in this book that will help me lead better, as well as equip our ministry teams to function even more powerfully. A great read; very informative; many tools for one to use in any organization.
Apr 09, 2009
Flavius rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Few useful case scenarios.
Mar 23, 2008
Jeff rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book...but most people will not. The reason that I loved it was because of it's relevance to my everyday business life and the challenges I perpetually confront. I would bored out of my mind if I had read it a couple of years ago...but it struck a chord during this time in my life.
Aug 24, 2011
AMAMAM rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I took away some GREAT and major points from this book, but it wasn't really applicable to me as a super SMALL business owner. Maybe if I intended to own a huge world renowned company one day, I would give this 5 stars. And not skim half of it.
Jul 21, 2008
Pam rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This was a great business book for a business owner or company leader. It had really interesting examples and easy to follow. Very similar to Good to Great but the research has a different objective.
Jan 04, 2010
Catharinec rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I checked this out from the library and definitely plan to buy it. I LOVED Good to Great. It was one of the most useful books I studied in graduate school. This is closer to my family's small business life.
Sep 02, 2008
Darrin rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This was more of an educational endeavor to support my own efforts. Excellent case studies from other companies that found incredible success.
Mar 17, 2008
Dimpleslala rated it: 3 of 5 stars
So far, so good. But, while the book is long on research methodology, it is short on revelations.
Aug 19, 2008
Michelle rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not bad. Same stuff as a Covey book, but interesting still in some of the models presented.
Aug 27, 2008
Caren rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Loved this book!
Aug 21, 2008
Dawn rated it: 3 of 5 stars
So far, so good!
Feb 07, 2012
Asif marked it as to-read
Jan 31, 2012
G.hoogendoorn added it
Jan 31, 2012
Tyler rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 30, 2012
Oscar marked it as to-read
Jan 20, 2012
Ryan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Jan 14, 2012
Christina rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 09, 2012
Marly rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Dec 27, 2011
Hailey marked it as to-read
Dec 02, 2011
Jonathan rated it: 3 of 5 stars