Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (Good to Great Book 2)

Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras revolutionized how leaders think about long-term success. Based on extensive research at Stanford Business School, the authors studied visionary companies like Wal-Mart, 3M, P&G, and Johnson & Johnson, comparing them to less enduring rivals such as Pfizer, Colgate, and Zenith.

They discovered that truly great companies combine constant innovation with a strong core ideology, maintaining a sense of purpose while pursuing bold “BHAGs” (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals). These organizations sustain success by fostering unique cultures, adapting through unplanned progress, and inspiring loyalty across generations.

This updated edition includes a new introduction discussing how these timeless principles apply to global companies, nonprofits, and organizations undergoing transformation—and what visionary leadership means for the future.