Bo Burlingham

Bo Burlingham is an American business journalist, author, and speaker known for covering small businesses and entrepreneurs. He is the Editor-at-Large of Inc. magazine and has written several books including Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up, Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top, and authors the EMyth blog. A sought-after expert on small business leadership, Burlingham has been featured on radio and television programs, including CNBC and The Wall Street Journal Digital Network.

Burlingham began his career as a journalist in 1970 writing for Forbes Magazine. He later went on to become an editor for Inc. Magazine, covering small businesses, entrepreneurship, and leadership. During his time at Inc., Burlingham visited more than 600 small companies and documented their stories. This research eventually led to the publication of Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, which is a compilation of lively company profiles and interviews in which Burlingham provides insight on how small businesses with less than one hundred employees or gross revenues of less than 25 million can attain and sustain success. This book has been read by thousands and looks at fifteen companies that made a conscious choice to remain small and how they were able to maximize their efficiency, improve customer service, and generate above-average economic profits.

In addition to his work as an author, Burlingham is a frequent speaker at engagements throughout the world. He is invited to provide insight and solutions to leadership challenges based on his extensive research of small businesses. Burlingham focuses on strategies that help small businesses become successful without sacrificing their core values, such as employee morale and customer service. He has also contributed to numerous publications such as Fast Company, Chief Executive, and the Harvard Business Review.

One of Burlingham’s more recent books is called The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up. This book profiles 40 entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who have dealt with a variety of challenges, from growth spurts, to personnel problems, and legal troubles. Many of these entrepreneurs run start-ups and have managed to become successful through a combination of hard work and good decisions. Burlingham emphasizes a combination of grit, creativity and smarts to tackle any problem.

Another on of Burlingham’s latest books is entitled Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top. The book offers advice and insights to entrepreneurs on how to exit their companies with a legacy of success and satisfaction while maximizing the value of their venture. Finish Big helps readers make the right decisions to ensure that the end result of their business is both financially rewarding and personally satisfying.

Bo Burlingham’s work has been influential in the business world and beyond. His books and articles are celebrated for their insight and their ability to empower new and seasoned entrepreneurs. Through his career as a journalist and author, Burlingham has documented and shared the journeys of countless small businesses and provided a blueprint for success that can be applied by any entrepreneur striving for success.