13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMPLE POWERFUL CONCEPTS TAUGHT IN INNOVATIVE WAY, November 6, 2003
This book is focused on explaining 23 different models of profitability that different firms have followed. The author uses the realtionship between a wise mentor and an eager mentee to take the reader through the process of understanding the different models. The book is aimed at describing and giving the reader some insight into each model; it is not an in depth analysis of profitability. Given its aim, it is well written.
It is not a step by step process to apply at a business. This is a book to make a manager reflect, not follow. Each chapter is one story that describes a model; the style seems to follow the general outline of Harvard Business School cases, which, given the author's professorship there, is not so surprising.
I highly recommend it to someone looking for an entertaining read that will make one reflect. However, disregard the recommendation that you go through one chapter per week. It is too little, I think I would probably lose the book by the 3rd week. It is, instead, a book to be read in 3 days, and be referred back for ideas.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Addition to My Business Library, October 3, 2002
As a recent MBA graduate, I found this book to be far more valuable than most strategy texts I had read in school. While the focus is on explaining different profitability models, the lessons learned are easily applied to new ways to think about your enterprise. The book encourages the reader to read a chapter a week and suggests other books to read and thought exercises to do. While I'm sure this would be the ideal way to go through the material, I found the book suitable and enjoyable to read quickly. The writing is clear and to the point. And while comparisons to "The Goal" are unavoidable, I found the balance of storytelling and teaching in "Art of Profitability" to be skewed toward teaching. As a result, Slywotzky provides the reader more bang (quality insights) per page without compromising the books readability. Highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Your Average Business Book, May 26, 2006
The author weaves a story into his rundown of 23 profit models by having a young executive learn at the feet of a mystical guru over a year-long period. As the student gains insight, he grows in confidence and ability--good thing, too, since the company he works for is hopelessly messed up.
This highly accessible book is helpful on several levels.
First, it provides solid overviews of 23 important profit models: what they are, how they work, and why they work. Case studies and anecdotes provide illustration in case some of Master Zhao's explanations aren't sufficiently clear.
Second, it reminds us that profit is at the center of everything in business. The dialog between teacher and student illustrates how easy it is for business leadership to ignore that seemingly obvious principle.
Third, Mr. Slywotzky gives us a learning model we can apply to any problem, business or otherwise. He teaches the arts of listening, holding back, asking the right questions, analzying numbers, and extrapolating sound conclusions from particular facts, even small and seemingly unrelated ones. If you're interested in further study, he supplements his book with a reading list you won't see in an ordinary business book bibliography.
Probably the learning model is the most valuable aspect of the book: teach a man to fish, etc... Fascinating reading for entrepreneurs and executives in organizations of any size.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No