In 'Small Giants,' Bo Burlingham explores the fascinating world of successful companies that prioritize principles over profit. These organizations choose to stay small rather than chase growth at any cost, focusing instead on craftsmanship, customer relationships, and community impact. Through riveting case studies, readers discover the unique cultures and values that set these companies apart. What motivates these leaders to defy conventional business wisdom? Uncover the inspiring stories that challenge the notion that bigger is always better.
By Bo Burlingham
Published: 2016
""You don’t have to be big to be great; you just have to be great at being you.""
How maverick companies have passed up the growth treadmill — and focused on greatness instead. It’s an axiom of business that great companies grow their revenues and profits year after year. Yet quietly, under the radar, a small number of companies have rejected the pressure of endless growth to focus on more satisfying business goals. Goals like being great at what they do, creating a great place to work, providing great customer service, making great contributions to their communities, and finding great ways to lead their lives. In Small Giants, veteran journalist Bo Burlingham takes us deep inside fourteen remarkable companies that have chosen to march to their own drummer. They include Anchor Brewing, the original microbrewer; CitiStorage Inc., the premier independent records-storage business; Clif Bar & Co., maker of organic energy bars and other nutrition foods; Righteous Babe Records, the record company founded by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco; Union Square Hospitality Group, the company of restaurateur Danny Meyer; and Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, including the world-famous Zingerman’s Deli of Ann Arbor. Burlingham shows how the leaders of these small giants recognized the full range of choices they had about the type of company they could create. And he shows how we can all benefit by questioning the usual definitions of business success. In his new afterward, Burlingham reflects on the similarities and learning lessons from the small giants he covers in the book.
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“"You don’t have to be big to be great; you just have to be great at being you."”
Small Giants
By Bo Burlingham
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Bo Burlingham is an esteemed author and editor, well-known for his insightful exploration of entrepreneurship and business culture. He has served as the editor-at-large for Inc. magazine and authored several notable works, including 'Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big', which highlights businesses that prioritize purpose and culture over rapid growth. Burlingham's writing style is characterized by a blend of practical advice and compelling narratives, providing both inspiration and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders.
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