It’s interesting talking to founders of companies about where they’d like their companies to get to. There seems to be an implicit assumption that it should be grow, grow, grow, sell. Probably a result of the insane valuations and exits of those Silicon Valley companies, small in number, but large in PR column inches. Pursuing something else is often taken as a lesser goal.
But really, although exit is absolutely a valid outcome, it really isn’t the only one. Growing a company that feeds you and your family, your employees and theirs, creates value for your customers and contributes to the community is just as noble an outcome.
And that’s something I love about this description of those companies from Small Giants Community and Bo Burlingham who authored the book on which the community is based.
“Companies that favour greatness over growth.”