Great companies don't prioritise size over mojo - chat with Small Giants author Bo Burlingham

Karmic Capitalist - businesses with purpose

Bo Burlingham's excellent book, "Small Giants", charts the stories of companies for whom being great is more important than being big.

In each case, the founders or CEOs faced very real choices between following tried and tested growth paths or doing something different and keeping their mojo.
Sometimes, that meant rejecting mouth-watering exits.

But they consistently chose greatness. For them, having a company with a soul was more important than entry stakes to the billionaire space-race.

Key patterns he's observed include:

(1) The leaders or founders had clarity on who they were, what they wanted and why;

(2) The companies created intimate relationship with communities in which they worked, including customers;

(3) Employees always came first;

(4) They figured out their commercial model, including cash flow, flexibility and balance sheet;

(5) They invariably had leaders and owners who love what they do.

{Unsurprisingly, exactly aligned with our own Build on Purpose framework for leading companies}

This was a delightful conversation. Bo's experience and analysis encompases not just lessons, but more inspiring business stories than could ever fit in one book.

Which I guess is why he's written several!

Enjoy this conversation with Bo on the Karmic Capitalist podcast.

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I host a weekly online workshop with CEOs of SMEs (10 to 100 employees approx) about scaling up, allowing them to step back and do more strategic work, and doing it in line with their values. Max 6 per session so we can have a real conversation.
If you'd like to join me, find a date that works for you here. They aren't charged for - you and I will both get value from the conversation.
Only CEOs / MDs apply - strictly peer-level conversation.