summary ofSmall GiantsBook by Bo Burlingham

first KEY POINT

Choice without limits

What is the main difference between corporations and small giants? Unlike the former, smaller companies can avoid the scenario of mass expansion and engage in their unique entrepreneurial pathway. Sounds unrealistic? As Nelson Mandela once said, it always seems impossible until it’s done.Owner and CEO of the Anchor Brewery, Fritz Maytag, led the company with a rich history. When its future was critically endangered, the entrepreneur made a game-changing decision. He narrowed the focus to one outstanding product and won. Then, Maytag struggled because his beer was the best, and everyone wanted it, so he decided to expand. Eventually, he realized that it was the craziest idea; expansion was not what he wanted; he loved Anchor Brewery the way it was.But how do business people come to such pivotal solutions? And how do they draw the voices that whisper, ‘Go global! Go global!’? How, after all, do they resist the temptation of becoming rich and famous? Some businesspeople see the chance to turn away from the beaten track due to sudden enlightenment, while others have to take the wrong turn and get lost before finding themselves.The owner of an organic energy bars production company, Gary Erikson, realized that ‘entering a new level’ was not his life dream. Maytag and Erikson were a few milliseconds from making the wrong decision: the brewery owner was about to release million-dollar stocks to the market. At the same time, the food manufacturer intended to sell the company. Before setting the deal, which, fortunately, didn’t happen, Erikson was devastated. The man had to experience a panic attack to realize that his desires mattered more than the commonly accepted idea of triumphant success.

This summary will help you discover the components of long-term entrepreneurial success. It turns out you don't need to dominate the world or consistently strengthen financial indicators. You’ll also understand how the context and external factors affect business decisions and how to navigate a company independently.