Jerry I. Porras is an American organisational theorist, focusing primarily on how companies can improve and maintain high levels of performance by focusing on their core values and a clear goal. He has numerous qualifications, including a BSEE from Texas Western College completed in 1960, an MBA from Cornell University, and a PhD from the University of California. He started his academic career in 1972 at Stanford University, becoming a professor at the Graduate School of Business, where he was Associate Dean from 1991 to 1994. He retired in 1988 and was nominated Lane Professor Emeritus of Organizational Behaviour and Change.
James C. “Jim” Collins is a researcher, author, speaker, and consultant on company management, growth, and sustainability. He graduated in 1980 with a degree in mathematical sciences from Stanford University, before going on to complete an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business. It was here that his research and teaching career started, leading, in 1992 to him receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award. He has worked as a product manager for Hewlett-Packard, a senior executive at CNN International, and with several organisations within the social media industry. In 1995, he founded a management workshop in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts research and teaches executives from companies in social media. He is author and co-author of numerous books based on his personal research, including the bestseller Good to Great. He also contributes to various publications, such as The Harvard Business Review, Business Week, and Fortune.
