Built to Last

What is it about?

This is a classic business book renown for it’s case studies of large organisations. Built to Last is the result of a research project looking at the factors organisations adopt to foster innovation, market expansion, employee engagement and leadership development. Although it is a couple of years old now the premise of the cases remains the same. If you want to learn about building a “visionary company” this is an aspirational book to own.

Why should I read it?

Built to Last covers the key pillars of sustainable business growth. It addresses approaches to innovation, developing organisational culture, the importance of strategy and alignment with company values to ensure success. It’s a great read if you are in a leadership role in a large corporate organisation – almost required reading in bigger organisations. It’s thought-provoking for smaller sized businesses and business owners and would require some adaptation to a smaller work environment.

Is it a challenging read?

Yes, this is a complex book that requires concentration. However, underpinning the research are lots of examples from actual businesses and this makes the concepts much easier to apply to current work environments. Although it may seem a bit dry in parts, it is worth the push for the holistic view of organisational culture needed to lasting success.