"Jennings has laid it out for you, Mr./Ms. Corporate Executive. Now do you have the guts to implement what he says? This book is in the same class as Good to Great. I wish I had written it."

--Guy Kawasaki, CEO, Garage Technology Ventures author of The Art of the Start

"We have tried to incorporate the lessons of this book. Keeping a $7 billion company nimble and light on its feet is the key to success."

--William D. Zollars, Chairman, President & CEO, Yellow Roadway Corporation

Tradition says there are three ways to grow a company’s profits: fire up the sales team with empty promises, cut costs anddownsize, or cook the books. But what if there’s a better way-a way that nine amazingly profitable and well-run companies are already embracing.

Jason Jennings and his research team screened more than 100,000 American companies to find nine that rarely end up on magazine covers, yet have increased revenues and profits by 10 percent or more for ten consecutive years. Then they interviewed the leaders, workers and customers of these quiet superstars to find the secrets of their astoundingly consistent and profitable growth.

INTRODUCTION

SECTION ONE: Think Big

SECTION TWO: The Building Blocks

1. Down to Earth

2. Keep Your Hands Dirty

SAS Institute

3. Make Short-Term Goals and Long-Term Horizons

Sonic Drive-in

4. Let Go

Cabela’s

5. Have Everyone Think and Act Like an Owner

Koch Industries

6. Invent New Businesses

Dot Foods

7. Create Win-Win Solutions

Medline Industries

8. Choose Your Competitors

PETCO Animal Supplies

9. Build Communities

Strayer Education

10. Grow Future Leaders

O’Reilly Automotive

SECTION THREE: The QUAD: A Self-Evaluation

and Ranking

SECTION FOUR: The Research

SECTION FIVE: Charts

Conclusion by lead researcher, Brian Solon

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INDEX