The Long Game: A Playbook of the World's Most Enduring Companies

by Eric Becker

In the next decade, nearly 70 percent of US small businesses will fail…

What are the causes of these failures? Competition, recession, economic downturns, stock market fluctuations—there are myriad reasons for a small company to fail. But not all do, and some grow in strength despite the obstacles.

How do these companies succeed in the face of such overwhelming odds? The answer is in this playbook, developed by Eric Becker [author info].

Exclusive, in-depth interviews with CEOs, historians, and key decision makers, expose the ideologies, strategies and decisions that have enabled some businesses to remain competitive on a global stage.

As a trusted advisor to thousands of global change-makers and entrepreneurs, Eric is given unprecedented access inside some of the most recognized companies in the world

Hasbro

Ferragamo

Whirlpool

Smuckers

The Long Game is the seminal playbook for leaders, founders, and anyone with a dream to build and grow a company that will have a lasting impact.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction

184 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Eric Becker is Founder and Co-Chairman of Cresset, an award-winning multi-family office with over $65 billion assets under management. Alongside Founder and Co-Chairman, Avy Stein, Eric shares his extensive experience advising founders, entrepreneurs, private equity partners, and ultra-high net worth families in addition to serving on the firm’s leadership team.

As Co-Founder of Sterling Partners, a value-added, growth private equity firm that raised eight funds with over $5.7 billion of capital, Eric has a long history of starting, backing, and nurturing companies.

Eric’s first love is his family, including his two sons, daughter-in-law, grandson and wife of thirty-seven years, Jill.

Reviews

[Kellie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of the Long Game by Eric Becker. Although I am not a business leader, I took away valuable lessons to implement in my organization. It is an enjoyable book to read, includes the history of many familiar companies, and provides lessons for anyone who is committed to the mission of their business, organization, or group and wants to sustain it.

Across the 10 chapters in this short book (less than 200 pages), Becker tells the stories of companies across multiple industries. The book chapters address the following topics: clear mindset, identifying and defining moments of truth, organizational culture, growth, company stewardship, succession planning, relationships, and the importance of various time horizons. There are multiple examples in each chapter, with some companies appearing across chapters. The storytelling style allows easy retention of lessons from one chapter to the next. The topics in the book complement each other and strike the right balance of reinforcement, without being redundant.

The mindset chapter emphasizes the agility and sense of urgency that exist in successful organizations. There are examples of companies that pause and evaluate their product, even when things are going well. They have a learning mindset that allows them to respond to challenges, such as changes to the fashion industry during the pandemic or disruption in the bookselling industry because of Amazon.

The book includes a range of examples on the topic of succession planning, which is an essential practice in all industries. Leaders that consider the qualities needed in the next leaders, seek the right individuals, and train and support them, are more successful. Leaders that hang on to their position too long and do not prepare the next leaders jeopardize the business. The book clearly lays out principles to follow.

The topic of culture appears throughout the book. It mentions “culture audits” and includes the “culture manifesto” that the author’s company uses. The key point is that the company practices and the employees need to align with company’s principles and mission.

The companies profiled in the book are not perfect. The author includes examples of their mistakes, many of which were costly. There were major disagreements in some of the family-owned businesses. The stories in the book illustrate how the companies overcame the mistakes and disagreements to survive and thrive.

[CatReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eric Becker is the founder and co-chairman of Cresset, a private equity firm. In this market where we see private equity being the culprit in the downfall of so many businesses in so many sectors (see Megan Greenwell's 2025 Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream), his 2025 book The Long Game is a seemingly unironic exercise in "do what I say, not what I do" in giving advice on how to build and sustain businesses that last for decades, even a century.

This is a short read, mostly focused on anecdotes Becker has gleaned from interviewing business owners in companies his firm hasn't taken a majority stake in (yet). Many of these 'centurion' or aspiring centurion businesses are family-run, with younger generations being the heirs apparent to take the helm, whether or not they want to and whether or not they're the most qualified candidates.

I think this book misses the mark. To be fair, this is a hard topic to write meaningfully about, as so few businesses last a century, or even half a century, in today's economy. I would wager that a better metric of success isn't really how long a business lasts, but how well and ethically current leadership treats their employees and customers while still remaining profitable (or at least financially solvent) and accountable to shareholders.

My statistics:
Book 14 for 2026
Book 2320 cumulatively

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and really enjoyed reading it. What I appreciated about this book was the stories of a wide variety of different companies and what they have done to stay relevant through wars, depressions, economic down turns, and booms. Most business books focus on the largest companies so it was nice to hear about companies I wasn’t familiar with.

The most important chapter was around culture (chapter 4) and how culture can link to brand affinity. The author showcases a culture card for his organization that I feel encapsulates the spirit of the book.

The book is approachable and uses tangible examples that I think most folks will appreciate.

Some quotes that resonated with me:

The healthiest organizations, much like the healthiest and happiest people, are the ones that are growing. Growth is a fundamental pillar, providing organizational energy. It creates opportunities for new hires with new ideas to join the team, and for existing employees to advance into new roles. The experience can feel a little like getting out over your skis: You’re at the edge of your ability, and you know you could fall, but it’s also exhilarating.

Identify the next technological leap and evolve alongside history. The world is in constant flux—technology evolves, societies transform, and laws shift. What stands today is a world unrecognizable from a century ago.

In 2007, I wrote the first draft of my “ethical will.” It’s a very personal document of more than eighteen thousand words that reflects the values, life lessons, and philosophies I want to share about family, relationships, and business….The main purpose of composing my ethical will was to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned. Honestly, I wrote it out of fear that I might die young and my kids would be left with nothing from me to help them grow up.

[Joseph Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting take on business, especially in today’s start, build, sell the company world we find ourselves in. It throws back to a different time - which makes since as we are talking about companies that are over 100 years old, and teaches us lessons that are possibly more applicable now than ever. The stories of companies that have this longevity, peppered with the “how” lessons, makes for a very engaging and entertaining read, a balance not often easily found in my experience. I work in the non-profit / healthcare sector, and several of the lessons around weathering storms feel extremely relevant to my work now; making this feel timely for me personally but I’d wager it would be hard not to find a person or company that couldn’t benefit from this perspective. If you have any interest in building something that will last, create long lasting impacts and simultaneously be both steeped in tradition and nimble and responsive, look no further than this book for an excellent “how to.”

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read and an interesting look behind centurion companies, including ones I haven't heard of. More anecdotal in nature but there are solid insights for entrepreneurs and CEOs focused on building businesses that last.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at companies that endure long-term (100+ years) and the lessons one can apply to ensure the longevity of your own business. It contains stories of companies in various industries, and dissects the ways they pivoted to stay alive. Building a business to turn into a legacy rather than just a quick profit turn-around requires you taking in the wider perspective: “When you’ve been around for a long time, history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.”

Overall I found this book an easy read with a solid foundation. It doesn’t just relate to lessons around business, there is a palpable sense of integrity throughout. The quote that stuck with me most, and can be applied to life in general, is to ask yourself the following question regularly: “What am I tolerating but shouldn’t be?”

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game isn't another business book about growth hacks. Eric Becker studies century-old companies—Ferragamo, Hasbro, Barnes & Noble, McKissack & McKissack—to reveal how they survived wars, pandemics, and economic collapse. The answer? They prioritize what matters and stop tolerating what doesn't.

The One Question That Changes Everything
Veteran CEO Gary Keisling asks: "What am I tolerating but shouldn't be?"
This question transformed Barnes & Noble. CEO James Daunt inherited a company filled with employees who neither understood nor loved books. Instead of tolerating this, he removed toxic managers and built a culture of actual booksellers. It saved the company.
For busy women: Stop wasting time on meetings that should be emails, relationships that drain you, and projects misaligned with your priorities. This question is now on my desk.

Know Your Center, Protect It Fiercely
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks: "Know your center. Whenever we've vectored away from it, we've gravitated toward troubled waters." Hasbro's center is "the power of play." Everything flows from that. When they drift, they struggle. When they stay anchored, they thrive. The lesson: If you don't know what you're uniquely positioned to do, you'll waste energy on everything and excel at nothing.

Dealing with Difficult People: Culture Is Everything
McKissack & McKissack, America's oldest Black-owned architecture firm (founded 1790), survived through cultural resilience. When Cheryl McKissack's father had a stroke, her mother Leatrice took over. Managers refused to respect her leadership. She fired them immediately.
Leatrice drove six hours to meet clients in person, took full responsibility for problems, and over-delivered consistently. That culture—rooted in integrity and accountability—is what allowed the company to endure for over 200 years. Culture isn't a poster. It's what you tolerate, what you reward, and how you handle challenges when no one's watching.

Prioritization Means Saying No
When inflation threatened Ferragamo in the 1970s, they refused to cut corners on quality. The family united, invested their personal savings, and protected their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. That integrity saved them.
Growth isn't about doing more. It's about doing the right things at a sustainable pace. Know what you won't compromise, even when it's hard.

Confront Reality Early
Spanish torta company Inés Rosales switched to inferior packaging to cut costs. Sales plummeted. New owner Juan Moreno recalled every product—nearly bankrupting the business—then restored the original packaging. Sales exploded.
The warning: When something's breaking—a relationship, a process, a strategy—confront it immediately. Delaying makes it worse.

My Takeaways
Ask the hard question: What am I tolerating but shouldn't be?
Know your center: Protect what you're uniquely positioned to do.
Handle difficult people decisively: Strong culture means confronting problems, not tolerating them.
Prioritize ruthlessly: Growth comes from saying no to the wrong things.
Confront reality early: Address warning signs before they become crises.

This book gave me permission to play a different game—not the frantic sprint for short-term wins, but the deliberate marathon of building something that lasts. If you're tired of doing everything and want to focus on what matters, read this.

[Sean Gaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Becker’s The Long Game introduces the concept of “Centurion” businesses—companies owned by the same family for more than a century—and explores how these organizations have managed to flourish in an American economy that increasingly rewards growing fast and cashing out big.

Becker organizes the book around practical strategies, each supported by short vignettes featuring Centurion businesses. While I’m not typically a fan of anecdotal storytelling (unless it’s rooted in full narrative history), I found these segments to be both entertaining and insightful. The CEOs and owners featured in the book offer sharp, memorable wisdom, and Becker wisely gets out of the way, letting their voices carry the message without overanalyzing or diluting their ideas.

At the heart of Becker’s message is the power of leaders to establish a clear company culture—and the importance of allowing that culture to guide every decision. He draws examples from industries as different as financial services and gaming to illustrate how a strong, values-driven culture can keep a business steady through challenges and change. Conversely, he highlights companies that drifted from their core beliefs, showing the costly impact that misalignment can have on longevity and success.

Though the book is aimed at business leaders, I found its lessons equally relevant to my work in education. Building culture, valuing relationships, and staying rooted in core beliefs are essential practices for any organization striving for meaningful and sustainable success. Becker’s guidance is accessible, adaptable, and broadly applicable.

I enjoyed The Long Game not only for the fascinating histories of the companies it highlights, but also for its central reminder: even in a world where profit often drives decisions, enduring success still depends on purpose, values, and consistency.

[Amy Navarre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the Next Big Idea Club for providing a complimentary copy of The Long Game. This voluntary review reflects my honest personal opinions.
In The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies, Eric Becker offers an insightful examination of organizations that have thrived for over a century. Although the book is relatively concise, it is incredibly dense with information, offering a rigorous deep dive that, while informative, can feel more like a textbook than a narrative, requiring significant effort and focused attention to get through rather than a quick skim. At times, the density can make the prose feel a bit dry, which might be a hurdle for those looking for a more engaging narrative.
What makes this playbook particularly effective is that Becker draws from a wide array of industries, providing a well-rounded perspective on how these principles apply across the entire business landscape. This variety ensures the insights aren't just niche anecdotes, but rather a comprehensive look at the foundational strategies required for true institutional longevity.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with entrepreneurial aspirations or those currently on a C-suite path. Because Becker moves beyond surface-level advice, it serves as a valuable resource for leaders who want to move past short-term gains and build a legacy. Whether you are launching a startup or steering an established corporation, the cross-industry examples provide a practical roadmap for sustainable growth in an ever-changing market. While the insights are top-tier, readers looking for a breezy 'business-lite' book or quick inspiration might find the heavy data and historical analysis a bit daunting.
Ultimately, The Long Game is a rewarding challenge for any reader looking to trade quick fixes for a timeless blueprint of business success.

[José Enrique Meza Cancino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It’s an easy and enjoyable read — the author keeps things simple and uses plenty of real examples that you can actually relate to. Throughout the chapters, you’ll find tons of useful insights on how different companies faced and solved problems that still feel relevant today.

What I found most interesting is how the author connects the strategies used back then with how they still apply in today’s business world. It really shows that some challenges (and smart solutions) are timeless.

Overall, it’s a great book if you like learning through stories rather than heavy theory. It’s clear, engaging, and full of lessons that make you think about how businesses — and even people — adapt over time. Definitely worth adding to your reading list!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to find a business book as engaging and tangible as this one. From the very first pages, the stories feel deeply human and refreshingly real. Drawing on lessons from some of the most enduring companies across industries, the author weaves together insights from leaders and his own experiences. Each “play” is not just instructive but relatable, leaving any reader with practical takeaways to apply to their own leadership journey.

[Eric Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good principles and discussion on what makes a business experience longevity. Love the idea of the sample research group being businesses that had been established for over 100 years. It’s a bit high level but principles are overall.