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288 Jim Collins, William Lazier: BE 2.0

Learn how to turn your business into an enduring great company by focusing on timeless principles and embracing change.

Duration: 13 hours
53 minutes
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Jim Collins, William Lazier: BE 2.0

Summary

"BE 2.0" is a book by Jim Collins and William Lazier that builds on the principles of their earlier book, "Built to Last," and provides practical guidance for business leaders looking to create enduring great companies. Drawing on extensive research and analysis of successful companies, the authors identify a set of timeless principles that are essential for building and sustaining greatness, including the importance of having a clear and compelling purpose, hiring and developing the right people, and creating a culture of discipline and commitment. The book also highlights the need for companies to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances, while remaining true to their core values and mission. With a focus on practical strategies and real-world examples, "BE 2.0" provides a roadmap for leaders looking to transform their organizations and achieve long-term success.

About

Title: "BE 2.0: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company"

Authors: Jim Collins, William Lazier

Publishing Year: 2020

Publisher: Harper Business

Length in Hours: 13 hours and 53 minutes

5 main ideas

  1. Building an enduring great company requires a focus on timeless principles, including a clear and compelling purpose, the right people, and a culture of discipline and commitment.
  2. Embracing change and adaptability is crucial for long-term success, but must be done in a way that stays true to the company's core values and mission.
  3. Leaders must be willing to make tough decisions and take risks in order to achieve greatness, while also maintaining a sense of humility and commitment to continuous improvement.
  4. Creating a culture of learning and innovation is essential for staying ahead of the competition and adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
  5. Success is not guaranteed, and even great companies can fall from grace if they become complacent or fail to adapt to changing circumstances.
Jim Collins, William Lazier: BE 2.0

5 funny quotes

  1. "Running a business is like riding a bike – you have to keep pedaling to stay upright."
  2. "Change is like a rollercoaster ride – it can be scary at first, but it's exhilarating once you get the hang of it."
  3. "Success is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow – it's elusive, but worth chasing."
  4. "Strategy is like a game of chess – you have to think several moves ahead to anticipate your opponent's next move."
  5. "Innovation is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you're going to get."

5 thought-provoking quotes​

  1. "Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice."
  2. "A company's culture is like a magnet that attracts and repels – it draws in the right people and repels the wrong ones."
  3. "The most successful companies are those that embrace change and adaptability, while also staying true to their core values and mission."
  4. "The greatest enemy of innovation is success."
  5. "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge."

5 dilemmas

  1. The tension between short-term results and long-term growth, and the challenge of balancing the two effectively.
  2. The need for companies to adapt to changing market conditions and disruptive technologies, while also staying true to their core values and mission.
  3. The challenge of developing and retaining the right people, and how to identify and cultivate the characteristics that lead to success.
  4. The potential for complacency and lack of discipline to derail even the most successful companies, and how to maintain a sense of urgency and focus on continuous improvement.
  5. The challenge of scaling a company and maintaining its culture and values as it grows.

5 examples

  1. The story of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and his leadership in transforming the company into a more innovative and customer-focused organization.
  2. The example of the St. Louis-based retailer Menard's, which has achieved long-term success by focusing on core values such as low prices and customer service.
  3. The story of Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, and his commitment to innovation and customer value in building one of the world's most successful e-commerce companies.
  4. The example of the Mayo Clinic, which has achieved enduring greatness by prioritizing patient care and developing a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
  5. The story of Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox, and her leadership in turning around the struggling company by focusing on customer needs, innovation, and disciplined execution.

Referenced books

  1. "Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company" by Jim Collins and William Lazier
  2. "The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen
  3. "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries
  4. "Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't" by Verne Harnish
  5. "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable" by Patrick Lencioni

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"In business, as in life, there are no guarantees – but there are always opportunities."

Jim Collins, William Lazier: BE 2.0

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