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Book review - GOOD TO GREAT - By Sam Krishnan | Management Consultant

First published in 2001, Jim Collins’ Good to Great continues to be a guiding light for business leaders seeking long-term success. Why has it stood the test of time? Because the core principles it shares are grounded in human behavior, discipline, and focused strategy—ideas that don’t expire. Let’s look at three of the most powerful insights from the book and why they still matter today.

1. The 3 Circles: Clarity in What Matters Most

At the heart of Good to Great is a simple but powerful framework—three intersecting circles:

• What you can be the best in the world at (core competency),
• What you are deeply passionate about, and
• What drives your economic engine (what people will pay for)?

When businesses align all three, they find clarity and purpose. It’s not about doing everything well—it’s about doing the right thing exceptionally. Many businesses fail because they spread themselves too thin or chase trends instead of sticking to what truly makes them great.

2. The Hedgehog Concept: Focus Wins

Inspired by the ancient parable of the fox and the hedgehog, Collins uses the “Hedgehog Concept” to describe companies that beat their competition by focusing on one big idea. Like the hedgehog, they don’t get distracted by shiny new things. Instead, they focus relentlessly on what they can do best, what they love, and what makes them money.

This level of focus is what transforms a good business into a great one. It requires discipline to say no to opportunities that don’t fit. But over time, this focus builds strength, reputation, and real momentum.

3. The Flywheel: Building Momentum Over Time

One of the most relatable concepts in Good to Great is the Flywheel. Great companies don’t become successful overnight. Like a heavy flywheel, it takes consistent, small pushes over time to get things moving. But once momentum builds, it becomes unstoppable.

The key here is consistency and patience. Every positive action—hiring the right people, refining your strategy, delighting customers—adds a little more speed to the flywheel. Eventually, the business starts generating its own energy, leading to sustainable growth.

Conclusion: How a Business Coach Can Help You Apply These Ideas

While the ideas in Good to Great are simple, they’re not always easy to apply. That’s where a business coach can help. A coach provides an outside perspective, helping you identify your true core competencies, align your passions with business goals, and maintain the discipline needed to stick with the Hedgehog Concept. Most importantly, they can help you stay consistent—adding those crucial pushes to your flywheel even when progress feels slow.

In today’s fast-moving business world, staying grounded in timeless principles is more important than ever. With the right guidance, these ideas can help you not just go fast—but go far.

Contact us to grow your business: https://linktr.ee/Samkrishnan.ACTSolutions

Sam Krishnan | Results Guaranteed Business Coach