Jim Collins explains his observations on companies that are "built to last" and how they went from "good to great."

With the passion reflected in Built to Last, a book that has made the Business Week best-seller list five years running, management educator, author, and researcher Jim Collins gave the keynote address opening McIntire's second annual spring symposium April 27, 2001. Corporate leaders from around the world discussed Collins' visionary attributes as they related to their own companies and others in multiple panels after the keynote address.

Collins explained the reasons why truly exceptional companies stand head and shoulders above their competitors—findings that he and his Stanford University Graduate School of Business research team discovered during more than six years of intensive research. He also previewed fundamental insights about leadership and related concepts that can turn good companies into great ones from his upcoming book, Good to Great.

Speaking to the University and extended business community audience in Old Cabell Hall, Collins acknowledged the persuasive powers of Associate Dean for Center Development and Research George Overstreet in bringing him to the University. Overstreet responded that "it is an awesome compliment to the University and the School to have these incredible speakers and such a great audience."

Overstreet, Visiting Professor of Real Estate David Hartzell, Center for the Management of Information Technology Director Ryan Nelson, and Executive Director of McIntire Centers Elizabeth Harvard were key in coordinating the symposium. The event was sponsored by the Center for Growth Enterprises, the Center for the Management of Information Technology, and the planned Real Estate Center at the University of Virginia.

"As I sat in the audience, I was struck by the fact that our School was hosting and achieving such a powerful, grand, high-quality event," Harvard said. "This kind of endeavor sets a tone of high aspirations and serious achievement that will set our School apart from all others."

Jeffrey C. Walker (McIntire '77), Michael D. Parker, James S. Turley, and Macon F. Brock discuss creating and sustaining visionary firms from the CEO perspective at the second annual spring symposium.

Corporate leaders from around the world participated in four panel discussions that followed the keynote address.

"It was an outstanding day on all dimensions," said Dean Carl Zeithaml. "The extraordinary morning session highlighted by Jim Collins' presentation and the CEO panel discussion was thought-provoking and entertaining. The afternoon sessions focused our attention on a variety of important issues and industries and engaged a new set of alumni and friends in McIntire and U.Va. Our symposia continue to be high-value-added events with respect to intellectual capital and alumni and corporate relations."