The Breakthrough Company

About the Author

Keith R. McFarland is a distinguished business strategist and author known for his insights into company growth and leadership. He began his career at an early age, becoming an associate dean of the Business School at Pepperdine University at just 26. McFarland then moved into the corporate world, serving as CEO of two technology companies before founding McFarland Strategy Partners. His work focuses on helping businesses transition from initial success to sustained growth. McFarland regularly contributes to Inc. magazine and BusinessWeek, sharing his expertise on business strategies and organizational development. In "The Breakthrough Company," he examines how mid-sized companies can overcome the challenges of scaling up and achieving long-term success.

Main Idea

"The Breakthrough Company" explores the critical factors that enable mid-sized companies to break through the entrepreneurial stage and achieve sustained, scalable growth. Keith R. McFarland argues that while many companies experience early success, only a few manage to navigate the complexities of scaling up to become market leaders. The book is based on extensive research, including interviews with over 1,400 employees and leaders from nine breakthrough companies. McFarland identifies common traits and strategies among these companies, offering a blueprint for others to follow. Key themes include leadership, strategic risk-taking, building a strong company culture, and leveraging networks. The book provides practical advice for business leaders seeking to guide their companies through growth challenges and achieve lasting success.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Quest for Breakthrough Companies
2. Finding the Breakthrough Companies
3. Crowning the Company
4. The Growth Paradox
5. Building the Brand
6. Upping the Ante
7. Surprise, Surprise
8. Building Character
9. The Power of Network
10. Conclusion: The Breakthrough Blueprint

Finding the Breakthrough Companies

McFarland begins by detailing the methodology used to identify the nine companies featured in the book. These companies exemplify the transition from entrepreneurial success to significant market impact. The selection process started with a list of 7,000 companies, narrowed down based on criteria such as revenue growth, profitability, and industry impact. McFarland's team conducted extensive field research, including over 1,400 interviews, to understand the unique strategies and characteristics that set these companies apart. The goal was to identify the factors that allowed these companies to "break through" and sustain long-term growth.