top of page

Built To Last vs Good To Great: We Ask Chat GPT For An Analysis

We run two books by Jim Collins through Chat GPT to see what the difference is.


Below is the paperback version of Built To Last. Currently $11.99 on Amazon and has a 4.6 star score on over 2000 ratings.

Built to last book

Below is the hardcover of Good To Great. Currently going for $15.50 on Amazon and it has a 4.5 star score on over 8000 ratings.

Good to great book

Now let's see what Chat GPT thinks when we ask it to make a comparison between the two books...


"Built To Last and Good To Great are two influential business books written by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. While both books offer valuable insights into building successful and enduring organizations, they focus on different aspects of business excellence.

  1. "Built to Last": "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" was first published in 1994 by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. This book examines the characteristics and practices of long-standing, exceptional companies. The authors conducted extensive research and analysis to identify companies that have outperformed their competitors and sustained their success over time. They coined the term "visionary companies" to describe such organizations.

Key concepts in "Built to Last" include:

  • Core ideology: Visionary companies have a well-defined and enduring set of core values, purpose, and mission that guide their decisions and actions.

  • Clock building vs. time telling: These companies focus on building sustainable systems and processes rather than relying on individual leaders' charisma or short-term strategies.

  • BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals): Visionary companies set ambitious long-term goals that inspire and align their employees.

  1. "Good to Great": "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't" was published in 2001 by Jim Collins. This book focuses on how companies can transition from being good to truly great. Collins and his team of researchers studied a group of companies that experienced prolonged periods of average performance followed by a transformative breakthrough that propelled them to exceptional results.

Key concepts in "Good to Great" include:

  • Level 5 leadership: Great companies are led by humble and determined leaders who put the organization's interests before their own.

  • Hedgehog Concept: Companies achieve greatness by focusing on what they can be the best at, what drives their economic engine, and what they are deeply passionate about.

  • The Flywheel Effect: Similar to a giant flywheel, great companies build momentum through consistent effort and accumulation of small wins, eventually leading to breakthrough success.

While "Built to Last" emphasizes the long-term vision and enduring qualities of successful organizations, "Good to Great" explores the transformational processes that enable companies to transition from mediocrity to greatness. Both books offer valuable insights and can be complementary in understanding how to build and sustain successful businesses."


It sounds like the books make a great one two combo. The Good To Great gets you to next level, and Built To Last finds a way to keep you there. Not bad for two books that are both under $20.


Built To Last - https://amzn.to/3PPBtOU


Good To Great - https://amzn.to/3NKeFNz


NOTE: All price and review info is based on the time of posting. The numbers may have changed since the creation of this article. Don't forget to always research everything yourself before you buy it, don't just take our word for it. All links to Amazon on this page are part of the Associates program which gives us commissions, thanks for your support!


bottom of page