---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Enduring great companies preserve their…"
description: "\"“Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png"
---

#  Enduring great companies preserve their core values and…

![“Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. This is the magical combination of “preserve the core and stimulate progress.” quote by James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png)

> ““Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. This is the magical combination of “preserve the core and stimulate progress.””

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Successful companies keep core values while constantly adapting strategies to changing markets.

**In simple terms:** Preserve core, embrace change.

Key Takeaway

Balance tradition with innovation.

Themes

leadership adaptation values

Mood

strategic pragmatic

Type

business inspirational

When to use this quote

- business transformation
- product development
- market entry

Key Concepts

strategic management organizational culture

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you identify core values?
- When should you pivot strategy?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on core may hinder agility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Changing World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-world/) [Companies Preserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companies-preserve-1886631/) [Core values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/core-values/) [Enduring Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enduring-great-832571/) [Great Companies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-companies/) [Preserve Core](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserve-core-1886632/)

## Related quotes

> [Preserve the core, and let the rest flux. In their wonderful bestseller Built to Last, authors James Collins and Jerry Porras make a convincing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/preserve-the-core-and-let-the-rest-flux-in-their-wonderful-bestseller/)

[Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/)

> [“Enduring great companies don’t exist merely to deliver returns to shareholders. Indeed, in a truly great company, profits and cash flow become like blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-collins/enduring-great-companies-don-t-exist-merely-to-deliver-returns-to/)

[Jim Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-collins/)

> [In an ironic twist, I now see Good to Great not as a sequel to Built to Last, but more of a prequel. Good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/in-an-ironic-twist-i-now-see-good-to-great-not-as-a-sequel-to-built/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [To be an enduring, great company, you have to build a mechanism for preventing or solving problems that will long outlast any one individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/to-be-an-enduring-great-company-you-have-to-build-a-mechanism-for/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Men cling to life even at the cost of enduring great misfortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/men-cling-to-life-even-at-the-cost-of-enduring-great-misfortune/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Not one of the good-to-great companies focused obsessively on growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/not-one-of-the-good-to-great-companies-focused-obsessively-on-growth/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“THE “FLYWHEEL EFFECT” The good-to-great companies understood a simple truth: Tremendous power exists in the fact of continued improvement and the delivery of results.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-flywheel-effect-the-good-to-great-companies-understood-a-simple/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Great companies foster a productive tension between continuity and change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/great-companies-foster-a-productive-tension-between-continuity-and/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Those who build great companies understand that the ultimate throttle on growth for any great company is not markets, or technology, or competition, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/those-who-build-great-companies-understand-that-the-ultimate-throttle/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“The good-to-great companies did not focus principally on what to do to become great; they focused equally on what not to do and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-good-to-great-companies-did-not-focus-principally-on-what-to-do/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Good-to-great companies set their goals and strategies based on understanding; comparison companies set their goals and strategies based on bravado.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/good-to-great-companies-set-their-goals-and-strategies-based-on/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [In determing "the right people," the good-to-great companies placed greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, specialized knowledge, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/in-determing-the-right-people-the-good-to-great-companies-placed/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Change your practices without abandoning your core values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/change-your-practices-without-abandoning-your-core-values/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [The best CEOs in our research display tremendous ambition for their company combined with the stoic will to do whatever it takes, no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-best-ceos-in-our-research-display-tremendous-ambition-for-their/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“The good-to-great leaders understood three simple truths. First, if you begin with “who,” rather than “what,” you can more easily adapt to a changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-good-to-great-leaders-understood-three-simple-truths-first-if-you/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

## More by James C. Collins

> [No matter what. Wherever your mind wanders, it seems to turn up at the same Field of Dreams. It's the vision you wake up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-matter-what-wherever-your-mind-wanders-it-seems-to-turn-up-at-the/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“This might not sound very exciting (inventory management is not something that tends to rivet readers), but think of it this way: Imagine walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/this-might-not-sound-very-exciting-inventory-management-is-not/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“Merck • Corporate social responsibility • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company • Science-based innovation • Honesty and integrity • Profit, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/merck-corporate-social-responsibility-unequivocal-excellence-in-all/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Greatest danger is not failure, but be successful and not know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/greatest-danger-is-not-failure-but-be-successful-and-not-know-why/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“If you have the right people on the bus, they will be self-motivated. The real question then becomes: How do you manage in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-they-will-be-self-motivated/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“2. Core purpose is an organization’s most fundamental reason for being. It should not be confused with the company’s current product lines or customer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/2-core-purpose-is-an-organization-s-most-fundamental-reason-for-being/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [The drive for progress doesn't wait for the external world to say "It's time to change."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-drive-for-progress-doesn-t-wait-for-the-external-world-to-say-it/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [The secret to a successful retirement is to find your retirement sweet spot. The sweet spot is where your passions, what you do best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-secret-to-a-successful-retirement-is-to-find-your-retirement/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/managing-your-problems-can-only-make-you-good-whereas-building-your/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Creative leadership impact increases in your 50's. When I turn 50 I want to say, "Nice start!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/creative-leadership-impact-increases-in-your-50-s-when-i-turn-50-i/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“The fact that something is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” is irrelevant, unless it fits within the three circles. A great company will have many once-in-a-lifetime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-fact-that-something-is-a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-is/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/don-t-take-care-of-your-career-take-care-of-your-people-they-will/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Indeed, the real question is not, "Why greatness?" but "What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?" if you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/indeed-the-real-question-is-not-why-greatness-but-what-work-makes-you/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Not one of the good-to-great companies focused obsessively on growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/not-one-of-the-good-to-great-companies-focused-obsessively-on-growth/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“Compare Bethlehem Steel to Nucor. Both companies operated in the steel industry and produced hard-to-differentiate products. Both companies faced the competitive challenge of cheap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/compare-bethlehem-steel-to-nucor-both-companies-operated-in-the-steel/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Explore all 175 James C. Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

## More Business quotes

> [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/)

[Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/)

> [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/)

[Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/)

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/)

[Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/)

> [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/)

[Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/)

> [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/)

[Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/)

> [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/)

[Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/)

[Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/)

> [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/)

[Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/)

> [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/)

[N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/)

> [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/)

[Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/)

> [It's not just that families can't buy a home or start a business without some savings tucked away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/it-s-not-just-that-families-can-t-buy-a-home-or-start-a-business/)

[Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/)

> [I'm not into business at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-mercury/i-m-not-into-business-at-all/)

[Freddie Mercury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-mercury/)

> [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

[Browse all 39,016 Business quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. This is the magical combination of “preserve the core and stimulate progress.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "James C. Collins"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/enduring-great-companies-preserve-their-core-values-and-purpose-while/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Business"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/enduring-great-companies-preserve-their-core-values-and-purpose-while/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/james-c-collins-2276_business_enduring-great-companies-preserve-their_1783912.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and…” — James C. Collins",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "James C. Collins",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Enduring great companies preserve their core...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/enduring-great-companies-preserve-their-core-values-and-purpose-while/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/enduring-great-companies-preserve-their-core-values-and-purpose-while/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
