Recessions are known for breaking companies, but just as often, they make them, according to this new report by Bain & Company. Bain's long-term study of more than 700 firms found twice as many companies made the leap from laggards to leaders during the last recession as during surrounding periods of economic calm. This article cites the report's three key findings: recessions "shuffle the deck" more than boom times do; gains and losses show up early; and gains or losses made during the bad times tend to endure.