About Prime:

Prime is the optimal position on the Lifecycle, where the organization finally achieves a balance between control and flexibility. Prime is actually not a single point on the Lifecycle curve. Instead, it is best represented by a segment of the curve that includes both growing and aging conditions. Sometimes the Prime organization is more flexible than controllable, and sometimes it is not flexible enough.  

About The Fall:

The Fall is positioned at the top of the Lifecycle curve, but it is not the place to be. Companies in the Fall stage have started to lose their vitality and are aging. When an organization first begins to age, the symptoms won't show up on its financial reports. In fact, the opposite is true. Fall companies are often cash rich and have strong financial statements.

About Aristocracy:

The effects of the steady decline in flexibility, which began in Prime, start to become more obvious in Aristocracy. Because it has neglected to pursue long-term opportunities, the company's focus becomes increasingly short-term. For the most part, its goals are financially orientated and low-risk. With less of a long term view, the climate in an Aristocratic organization is relatively stale.