The Art of Profitability (Paperback)

~ Adrian Slywotzky (Author) "September 21. Steve Gardner sat quietly in a forty-sixth-floor office in downtown Manhattan..." (more)
Key Phrases: Customer Solution, Mount Fuji, Time Profit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This compact tome from consultant Slywotzky (The Profit Zone) offers 23 business lessons via the tale of a manager's quest to learn the "art of profitability" from David Zhao, a wise master. It's an attractive and refreshing concept that taps into the Zen of business. The author cautions readers to "please read only one chapter per week... Think about it. Let it stew." His advice, centered around the mantra that the path to profitability lies in fully understanding the customer, is valuable- e.g., watch out for cracks in a business's foundation, because they can quickly lead to a collapse. Slywotzky has tried to make his text seem ancient, even timeless, by featuring the cliché of the wise sage and the eager pupil, and this forced effort may frustrate some readers looking for a quick fix. But those seeking a new alternative to tired business manuals should revel in Zhao's fable-like teachings.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

What do Barbie dolls, Nokia phones, and American Express credit cards have in common? They all represent a powerful business model called pyramid profit. How about Intel, Microsoft, and Stephen King? They all exploit another model called value chain position profit. THE ART OF PROFITABILITY reveals the invisible but important governing principles that can mean the difference between business failure and success. Writing with wit and provocative insight, bestselling author Adrian Slywotzy tells the story of eccentric strategy teacher David Zhao and his young student. Each of the book's twenty-three chapters presents a lesson from the exuberant and always challenging master-and a profit paradigm that will open your mind to the many ways to make profit happen. You'll understand-from a different perspective-how your company and your competitors generate profit...which business models can be best applied to your profit-making strategy...what specific actions your organization can take in the next ninety days to improve its bottom line...and more. With scores of examples from today's global marketplace, a weekly assignment, and an eclectic business reading list ranging from Obvious Adams to Einstein's Dreams, THE ART OF PROFITABILITY invites anyone in business to engage in the lively exchange between mentor and protege. Enter the classroom. Discover the art. And learn which form of profitability will help your company succeed today and grow tomorrow.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446692271
• ISBN-13: 978-0446692274
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,930 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLE POWERFUL CONCEPTS TAUGHT IN INNOVATIVE WAY, November 6, 2003

By	Denis Benchimol Minev "Amazonia" (Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Profitability (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Addition to My Business Library, October 3, 2002

By	Stephen Boord "sboord" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Art of Profitability (Hardcover)

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.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to UNDERSTAND PROFITS look no further, October 2, 2002

By	"darlunia" (san francisco, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Profitability (Hardcover)

this is one of the best books on strategy I have seen and read. QUite frankly it is comparable to Goldratts "The Goal". This should be a required reading for every executive, business owner and marketing strategist.
I have purchased 10 copies of this book to distribute among my friends, BUY IT and READ IT and you will know why it can be ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS as you move from CHAOS TO CONFUSION in the world of how PROFITS CAN BE MADE