How the mighty fall : and why some companies never give in

This is an excellent book for all CXOs and Corporate Executives to be forewarned about the symptoms and advance warning signs of potential failure. Having experienced slow decline from close quarters, I must admit the stages of decline described by Jim is astonishingly true without any doubt. The

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recent collapse of many companies has provided enough data points for Jim to fine-tune the analysis. It’s heartening to note case studied of companies which have come out second last stage of death and become great again. The advance warnings are like the AWACS and help executives strategize and plan for corrective steps, before it’s too late. There is a big message for the CEO – not to kill the whistleblower, and continue to challenge subordinates more so if all presentations provide a very rosy picture. I would not only recommend this book, but urge readers to apply the logic on the information and signs captured in the corporate life and find out for yourself at what stage of decline if any is your division, your business unit or the company itself.

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While not as compelling as "Good to Great," it is still an interesting (and quick) read. Especially useful are several of the appendices in the back.

Ripped through this over the holiday weekend. Not nearly as good as Mr. Collins classic (Good to Great), it was still interesting and educational to read.

Interesting and well written. Defines 5 stages of company decline and the culture that exists in each.

This timely release is a follow-up to Good to Great, outlining the steps and mistakes that companies make when they start to get into trouble. As with Good to Great, Collins and his group start out with two groups comprised of companies that were solid and financially stable for many years. They

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then compare a group that ultimately fell into serious financial ruin with those who were able to overcome financial challenges. Collins further dissects the stages which precede ultimate ruin and discusses the steps companies can take to pull the company out of a nosedive. We read this book as part of our company's ongoing management team discussions regarding healthy organizational decision making. It lead to interesting discussion regarding the mission, organizational strategies and interpersonal variables related to beneficial decision making. I found this book easy to read and succinct with good examples from real world companies. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in management in an organization, as it gives warning flags that are useful to prevent making what can ultimately become cataclysmic decisions, which are obviously more difficult to overcome later on.

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It's the second part of the title that makes this book particularily interesting, because in many ways - at least in retrospect - it is evident why companies and organizations lose contact with reality: complacency, panic, hubris. Jim Collins attacks the problem very scientifically, and the

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examples are persuasive. This should be required reading for leaders og organizations in any markedleader position. How do you stave off decline, how do you recognize threats, what are the tell tale signs of negative change. How do you avoid coming in that position in the first place. Collins does not answer all questions, but he reinforces my belief that when you are number, act and lead as uf you are number three..

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Interesting book that speaks of the 5 stages of decline that companies normally go thru. The last (5th stage) stage being capitulation, crash and burn. Extensively researched and based on a mountain of empirical facts and data. It's highlights are the interesting essays on how some companies staged

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spectacular comebacks usually under the stewardship of a fearless and unrelenting leader. A good read.

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