Collins and Porras examined very successful long-lasting companies like Johnson & Johnson, 3M, and Procter & Gamble and discovered that each had a strong sense of purpose beyond just making money. They found that these companies had a set of core reasons for their existence to guide and inspire the organization for decades or even a century into the future.

1. Collins and Porras examined the
success of venerable companies such as
John & Johnson, 3M and Procter &
Gamble, they discovered a sense of
purpose at each of the companies, a
“set of fundamental reasons for a
company’s existence beyond just making
money” a good purpose should serve to
guide and inspire the organization for
years, perhaps a century or more.
http://765waystowin.blogspot.in/2014/05/six-weapons-of-influence-3-and-4-of-