Getting Bigger by Growing Smaller: A New Growth Model for Corporate America

By Thomas T., Contributor Stallkamp and Joel M. Shulman

Book Overview

Large, mature companies always become trapped at some point in the declining stages of what has become known as the corporate life cycle. Historically this barrier to continued growth has been, and is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0130084220
• ISBN13: 9780130084224
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: FT Press
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended!

"Bigger is not always better" sounds right, but the patina of sweat on executive foreheads in boardrooms worldwide stems from the mandatory requirement to increase short-term revenues constantly in ever greater amounts. The problem with the corporate fixation on bigness is that size often brings a less desirable quality: unresponsiveness. That helps explain why the lifespan of the average Fortune 500 corporation is about 50 years. Now comes author Joel M. Shulman to suggest a mechanism your company can use to avoid that burnout lifecycle. In a sophisticated book targeted to tactical thinkers, he proposes that you consider the Strategic Entrepreneurial Unit (SEU). He explains that establishing a diverse portfolio of small-scale entrepreneurial enterprises within a parent organization can help convert a large, unwieldy corporation into a more enterprising, forward-looking company. And, then, he tells you how. This capably written, insightful manual is very soundly based on practical business realities and experience. We recommend it highly to business strategists and executives who guide the long-term well being of their companies.

Growth the way it should be

Getting Bigger mixes the best of the past with the hope for the future. The results form a harmonic combination that is likely to influence corporate horizontal expansion strategies for the years to come. The author presents corporate venture arms in simple language and in a revolutionary light. Shulman speaks of a new breed of corporate venture arms (named Strategic Entrepreneurial Units) without the obligatory `harvest' period, designating them as the key to providing continued flexibility and expansion to corporate America as well as small town America. The author hits it dead on the head with Strategic Entrepreneurial Units and shines as one of America's elite financial minds. Daniel DaletThe International Bank of Miami, N.A.

The Future Path of Business Growth

For anyone involved in all areas of business, going into business, planning to expand their own business, or growing a corporate company, this book is essential. Joel Shulman presents a successful formula for business growth through Strategic Entrepreneurial Units, which combine the entrepreneurial will with corporate know-how and capital to form a working growth model. I highly recommend this book for those who want to understand and apply a modern and effective business growth strategy.

Move over Jim Collins

This book really tells you what you need to know about the BEST way for big businesses to grow. AND it's engaging and easy to read. I read it on the flight between London and New York, and recommended it to my friends on both sides of the Atlantic. The last time I was this excited about a book was when Jim Collins came out with BUILT TO LAST. This book belongs in the same league with Collins (and Christensen's) books! The "Strategic Entrepreneurial Unit" is going to be of interest to entrepreneurs and executives from big companies.

A very innovative book!

This is a very good book. It flowed well and had a number of innovative perspectives. Anyone who is currently working for a large business or who someday wants to work with a large business should definitely read this book.