Industry Transformers [Paperback]

Dan Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2008

How are Dan Sullivan's clients transforming their industries? How are they able to innovate in such valuable ways that they actually transform the marketplaces in which they operate, and create new streams of revenue that their competitors never knew existed? The answer lies in eight ingredients. In this book, join Dan as he interviews nine entrepreneurs from different industries who are all experiencing extraordinary success at packaging and selling their intellectual capital. From cleaning jet planes to giving young people life-changing educational experiences, these entrepreneurs are all succeeding because they have created their own ''Unique Processes,'' combining their wisdom with a keen ability to see through to the real unmet needs of their prospects and clientele. Interspersed with the interviews are the eight ingredients that pave the way to ''the best of all entrepreneurial worlds,'' in which there is freedom to innovate, no serious competition, and seemingly endless room to grow. By combining his insights with these eight engaging stories, Dan Sullivan creates a vision of a new way of being an entrepreneur in the 21st century one that will surely attract many others seeking the freedom, adventure, and happiness that is the promise of an entrepreneurial life well-lived.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Sullivan is the founder and president of The Strategic Coach Inc. and creator of the Strategic Coach® Program, which helps accomplished entrepreneurs reach new heights of success and happiness. He has over 30 years of experience as a strategic planner and coach to entrepreneurial individuals and groups. He is author of over 30 publications, including The Great Crossover®, The 21st Century Agent, Creative Destruction®, and How the Best Get Better®, and co-author of The Laws of Lifetime Growth and The Advisor Century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: The Strategic Coach Inc. (March 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897239149
• ISBN-13: 978-1897239148
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,076,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should you buy a book of testimonials? Yes - you should, November 4, 2008

By 

David Rachford "David Rachford" (CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Industry Transformers (Paperback)

I got this book during my first year of being a participant in "The Strategic Coach" Program.

So let me start out by saying that I've Drunk the Kool-Aid - and I'm a fan of Dan Sullivan's Strategic Coach Program. Beyond being a fan, I've benefited greatly from what I've learned in the Strategic Coach program, and Dan Sullivan's books and audio programs.

"Industry Transformers" profiles several individuals who have truly transformed their businesses. The book is basically an interview format, and by reading the interviews, one can gain insight and inspiration; along with action ideas to transform your business.

Author and markeitng guru Dan Kennedy says that books are crumby products; but excellent sales letters. In some respects, Industry Transformers is a collection of Dan Sullivan's and the Strategic Coach's best performing clients; and these are testimonials of the clients success applying the principles and methods outlined in Dan Sullivan's programs.

But that said; These people truly have transformed their businesses and industries; and these success stories are full of clues and ideas that will help almost anyone's business.

I learned a lot from this book - and I believe that by reading case studies of successful people, one gains insight and inspiration to change one's own business.

I recommend this book, I read it in one long evening; I was so inspired by the stories I couldn't put it down.

Recommended highly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 8 ways to write your own ticket as an entrepreneur, September 20, 2010

By 

K Donlin (Twin Cities, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Industry Transformers (Paperback)

Author Dan Sullivan interviews 8 highly successful entrepreneurs, each of whom has created a "Unique Process" for their companies.

A Unique Process lets entrepreneurs deliver their skills and experience in distinction ways. They can:

* differentiate themselves from competitors and avoid commoditization;

* establish profitable, unbreakable relationships with clients; and

* charge more, while continually developing proprietary "intellectual capital" to sell.

All of which makes for a virtuous circle.

There are 8 ingredients that transform unique-process entrepreneurs into industry transformers. Any one of these can transform your business:

Ingredient #1: Overcoming Adversity

They treat their uncertainty, anxiety and fear as fuel for personal achievement. They treat shortcomings and shortfalls as opportunities to grow. They treat obstacles as opportunities to change their thinking and methods. And they treat failures, breakdowns, and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve.

Ingredient #2: Passion

Successful entrepreneurs realize their greatest satisfaction comes from seeing other people succeed as a result of their wisdom and skill. Also, their greatest purpose lies in creating new capabilities of their own to make themselves of even greater use to their clients and the world at large.

Ingredient #3: Differentiation

You can differentiate your business by first understanding that the problem is never the problem (in Sullivan's words). In other words, customers never really want to buy your widget, purchase your technology or sign up for your class. What they want is peace of mind before and satisfaction after you make the sale. Beyond that, customers want greater enjoyment, satisfaction, and excitement in their lives. It's your job to give it to them.

Ingredient #4: Value Creation

Successful entrepreneurs follow the value-creation formula LRC, which stands for Leadership, Relationship, and Creativity.

* With leadership, you are giving clients a clear sense of direction in a world of confusing choices.

* With relationship, you provide the confidence your clients need to make important decisions. In a sense, you are holding their hand under difficult circumstances.

* With creativity, you continually find new ways to meet the needs and desires of your clients.

Ingredient #5: Transformation

Whether they say so or not, many of your clients want to transform their lives. They don't just want a new widget or gadget. They want dramatic change -- they want to become new, better, different people. When you are the only one who understands your clients' deepest desires and you deliver something that meets those desires, you help transform them.

Ingredient #6: Bypass

There's no need to worry about competitors when you can go around them. Entrepreneurs who bypass the competition spend little energy and time worrying about how "everybody" does it in their industry. Instead, continually innovate new ways to achieve extraordinary results. They define and meet the client's needs in ways that competitors don't. So, they have no competition.

Ingredient #7: Intellectual Capital

It's not enough to have creative, new ideas. You have to capture, package, and sell them so that others can use them and the marketplace knows where those ideas came from. Your packaged creativity creates intellectual capital that sets your business part, while creating new revenue streams. Another virtuous circle.

Ingredient #8: Monopoly

The full term is a value creation monopoly. It's defined as the permanent and practical ownership of a market niche that no competitor can comprehend or duplicate. It's the final ingredient and happens when you do everything else correctly, using your unique process to dominate your marketplace.

Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Genius, June 28, 2008

By 

Mr. G. Graham (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Industry Transformers (Paperback)

I can confidently say this is the most profound book I have read on the subject of entrepreneurship PERIOD!

The book is eight interviews with clients of 'The Strategic Coach' program who have completely transformed the playing fields in their industries. Dan Sullivan has put these interviews conveniently into eight sections that define industry transformers and provided his extremely unique and valuable commentary at the start of each section.

It's extremely profound to read about these entrepreneurs who are in industries such as carpet cleaning, accounting, mortgage brokering etc. which a lot of people would consider boring industries, completely transform them into extremely interesting and fun businesses.

Another insight I got from the book is how entrepreneurship can change the world. These entrepreneurs aren't in the game just to make money for themselves but they are actually changing the world and when you read the interviews, you really understand that fact on a deep and profound level.

This book isn't just about changing industries, it's also a journey that allows a person to become the best person that they can through entrepreneurship.

Paraphrasing one of the interviewees "The Strategic Coach is an eco-system for personal development." I completely agree with this statement and I would strongly urge you to purchase this book.