BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Another Way…Building Companies That Last…and Last…and Last
Author: Dave Whorton with Bo Burlingham
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
List Price: $32.00
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication Date: May 2025
ISBN: 979-8-89279-113-7
Reviewer: Mark Wettreich, PMP
Review Date: July 2025
Introduction
Dave Whorton’s Another Way: Building Companies That Last… and Last… and Last chronicles his winding career journey as a venture capitalist and the evolution of his thinking toward what he calls “Evergreen Companies.” In contrast to Silicon Valley’s conventional “get-big-fast” model, Whorton makes a compelling case for building enduring, multi-generational businesses that are profitable, self-sustaining, and values-driven.
Through engaging anecdotes drawn from both his personal experiences and the stories of other business leaders, Whorton demonstrates how his philosophy of long-term growth gradually took shape. Rather than focusing on rapid scaling, outside capital, and quick exits, he champions a thoughtful, principle-driven approach.
At the heart of this vision lies the Tugboat Institute, which Whorton founded to bring together leaders committed to the Evergreen model. The institute serves as a community where members can exchange ideas, learn from one another, and support the creation of companies designed to endure for generations.
Overview of Book’s Structure
In his early career, Whorton was mentored by some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent dealmakers. Their playbook was familiar: raise as much outside capital as possible, grow at breakneck speed, pursue an IPO as the ultimate exit, and worry about profitability—or ignore it—until later.
Rejecting this formula, Whorton presents what he calls the “7 Ps” Principles of Evergreen Companies, which form the backbone of the book:
More…
To read entire Book Review, click here
How to cite this work: Wettreich, M. (2025). Another Way…Building Companies That Last…and Last…and Last, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pmwj156-Sep2025-Wettreich-Another-Way-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Mark Wettreich, PMP
Dallas, Texas, USA
Mark Wettreich is an accomplished project leader whose career spans more than 20 years across venture capital, technology, cybersecurity, project management, and public company governance.
Based in Dallas, Texas, he has held senior leadership roles including Chairman and board member of several publicly traded Canadian companies, bringing a strategic, global perspective to his work.
Today, he applies that experience as a Project Manager for a leading Texas-based cybersecurity managed services provider.
A certified Project Management Professional since 2016, Mark also serves as Vice President of Education for the Dallas Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI). In this role, he drives professional development initiatives, delivering educational programs, webinars, and mentorship for one of the largest PMI chapters in the world.
Known for his collaborative approach and passion for developing people, Mark thrives on building connections, sharing knowledge, and helping others achieve lasting success.
Connect with Mark:
_________________
Editor’s note: This book review was the result of a partnership between the PM World Journal and the PMI Dallas Chapter. Authors and publishers provide books to the PM World Journal Editor; books are delivered to the PMI Dallas Chapter where they are offered free to PMI members who agree to provide a review within 45 days; book reviews are published in the PM World Journal and PM World Library. Reviewers can normally claim PDU’s for PMP recertification upon publication of their book reviews.
PM professionals can also author a review of a PM-related book independently purchased or received from authors. Those book reviews can also be published in the PMWJ, with authors then able to claim PDUs or CEUs for PM recertifications. If you would like us to publish a book review or are an author or publisher of a project management-related book, and would like the book reviewed, please contact editor@pmworldjournal.com.
