Jim Collins Books

Built to Last (1994) examines 18 extraordinary and venerable companies to discover what has made them prosper for decades, in some cases for nearly two centuries. This groundbreaking study reveals the simple but inspiring differences that set these visionary companies apart from their less successful competitors.

Built to Last is meant for every level of every organization, from CEOs to regular employees, and from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and charitable foundations. The timeless advice uncovered in this book will help readers discover the importance of adhering to a core ideology while relentlessly stimulating progress.

• Anyone interested in how visionary companies have stayed successful for over a century
• Anyone who wants to make their company, organization, department or team more purposeful
• Anyone who wants to find tangible tools to drive progress, foster innovation or communicate values with their organization

The world is an uncertain place, constantly changing and often chaotic. While many companies are unable to survive in this chaos, some companies are not only able to survive in these shifting conditions but even thrive in them. Great by Choice analyses why these companies succeed while most others fail. 

Great By Choice is the result of exhaustive, in-depth research into the business environment. It argues that success is not the result of a company being more innovative, bold or open to taking risks, nor is it a result of mere luck or chance. Success in fact comes from a mixture of discipline, evidence-based innovation and a fear of failure that borders on paranoia. It is this recipe, rather than luck, which enables certain companies to become great.

• Anyone looking for the secrets of long-term success in business
• Anyone wanting to know the role that luck or chance plays in achieving success
• Anyone wanting to know how great companies thrive even in turbulent environments 

In How the Mighty Fall, influential business expert Jim Collins explores how even successful companies can suddenly collapse, especially if they make the wrong decisions. He also offers leaders advice to prevent them from making the same mistakes.

• Students majoring in business
• Anyone unsure which businesses to invest in
• Start-up CEOs looking to grow their business long term

Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 (2020) updates Jim Collins and Bill Lazier’s essential 1992 business handbook, Beyond Entrepreneurship for the entrepreneurs, visionaries, and innovators of today. This new edition combines the timeless business advice and strategy of the original text, supplemented with cutting-edge insights and case studies pertinent to today’s business world.

• Office drones who want to break out of their nine-to-five
• Fledgling start-up founders wondering where to, well, start
• Successful entrepreneurs looking to scale up to the big time

Good to Great (2011) presents the findings of a five-year study by Jim Collins and his research team. They identified public companies that had achieved enduring success after years of mediocre performance and isolated the factors that differentiated those companies from their lackluster competitors. These factors have been distilled into key concepts regarding leadership, culture, and strategic management.

• Managers, founders, and executives who want to take their business to the next level
• Leaders seeking to simplify their business strategy 
• Anyone interested in leading a great corporate culture

Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins explores how nonprofit organizations can achieve greatness and have a lasting impact. The book applies the principles outlined in Collins's previous work, Good to Great, to the unique challenges and goals of social sector organizations, offering valuable insights and practical advice.

• Nonprofit leaders seeking to improve their organization's impact
• Individuals working in government or education who want to drive positive change
• Business professionals looking to apply their skills and resources to address social issues