The Levene businesses enjoyed strong, assertive, and confident leadership. Its most valued asset was the staff. Profits were used to develop and expand the business which was always prepared to go the extra distance in order to satisfy customers. As it grew the company became a threat in the eyes of some of its key competitors. It was a Company without a Mission Statement, but clearly it was one that had both Vision and a Mission.
Failure is complicated.
The Blitz Theory of Business Evolution however explains how small businesses grow and then shrink. The key focus of any business should be to provide goods and services, and therefore the focus should be much broader than just about making money. Operating officers of any business must really know and understand fully what business they are in. Stick to your knitting. Don't get side tracked away from core activity.