Resisting the Temptation to Grow
Author Bo Burlingham says the success of a business shouldn't always be measured by size: Sometimes small is better
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Conventional business wisdom holds that size and growth equal success. However, author Bo Burlingham challenges that notion by chronicling 14 small, successful, privately-held companies in his book (Portfolio). The book looks at companies such as microbrewery Anchor Brewing, energy-bar maker Clif Bar, and folk singer Ani DiFranco's record company, Righteous Babe Records, and examines the success some small companies achieve by taking the road less traveled and focusing solely on being the best at what they do.
staff writer Stacy Perman recently spoke with Burlingham about (first published in 2005 and reissued this year in an updated version). Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: