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Lasting Greatness In "Good to Great," Jim Collins and his team of business researchers write the prequel to their highly successful volume, "Built to Last." In "Built to Last," they explored how companies sustain greatness once they have it. Of course, the question arises, "What if they have yet to obtain greatness? How do they get there?" "Good to Great" provides the answers. Most of today's popular business, management, and leadership books are written by "superstars" who share their narrative of greatness. While many of these are fascinating, they often lack "repeatability." Their situations are so unique and their stories so personal, that attempting to replicate them in one's own company often leads to disaster rather than success. Collins, on the other hand, provides the raw data and validated research necessary to derive implications that can be translated not only from one business to another, but from one industry to another. Because he derives his conclusions from carefully chosen case studies comparing "successful" and "unsuccessful" companies, his summations have greater credibility. Admirably, he presents his findings in riveting narratives and compelling stories. When he's done, his conclusions not only have the ring of truth, but of common sense. You think to yourself, "Of course, that makes such sense. Why doesn't every company function this way?" Leading a graduate school faculty of 20 members, we've been able to implement these principles into our program. They have helped us to move from creation, to sustained growth, to successful implementation of seven major concentrations. At times, some of his terms ("hedge-hog concept," "doom loop") do cloud the picture with jargon. However, these terms can bring life to the concepts when the original images are kept in mind. This is a small price to pay for such a great contribution to marketplace research. Reviewer: Dr. Bob Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction" and of "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."