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Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You | [John Warrillow]
Play Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You

Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You

  • UNABRIDGED
  • by John Warrillow
  • Narrated by Erik Synnestvedt
  • Whispersync for Voice-ready
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  • Regular Price :$20.99
  • Whispersync for Voice

    Listen to Built to Sell, then pick up right where you left off with the Kindle book. Learn more

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  • Average Customer Rating
  • Overall
    (90)
    Performance
    (67)
    Story
    (69)
 
  • LENGTH
    4 hrs and 24 mins
  • RELEASE DATE
    04-29-11
  • AUDIO FORMATS
    About Audio Formats
    2 3 4 Enhanced Audio
 

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Publisher's Summary

A business parable about how to create a start-up that won't trap you when you want to sell it. According to John Warrillow, the number one mistake entrepreneurs make is to build a business that relies too heavily on them. Thus, when the time comes to sell, buyers aren't confident that the company-even if it's profitable-can stand on its own. To illustrate this, Warrillow introduces us to a fictional small business owner named Alex who is struggling to sell his advertising agency. Alex turns to Ted, an entrepreneur and old family friend, who encourages Alex to pursue three criteria to make his business sellable:

  • Teachable: focus on products and services that you can teach employees to deliver.
  • Valuable: avoid price wars by specializing in doing one thing better than anyone else.
  • Repeatable: generate recurring revenue by engineering products that customers have to repurchase often.

©2011 John Warrilow (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

What Members Say

Average Customer Rating

4.4 (90 ratings)
5 star
 (56)
4 star
 (21)
3 star
 (8)
2 star
 (3)
1 star
 (2)
Overall
4.3 (69 ratings)
5 star
 (43)
4 star
 (13)
3 star
 (7)
2 star
 (4)
1 star
 (2)
Story
3.9 (67 ratings)
5 star
 (31)
4 star
 (13)
3 star
 (12)
2 star
 (4)
1 star
 (7)
Performance
  •  
    M. Muin 05-23-12
    M. Muin 05-23-12 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    7
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    19
    2
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Good content, Very bad narration"
    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    I'd recommend buying the real book--not listening to this audio book.


    Would you be willing to try another book from John Warrillow? Why or why not?

    Yes.


    Would you be willing to try another one of Erik Synnestvedt’s performances?

    I'd avoid him as much as possible if I can.


    Any additional comments?

    It was hard to digest the content when you are distracted by the whiny voice that stops/starts without context of the whole sentence or paragraph.

    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Antonio Carlsbad, CA, United States 06-11-11
    Antonio Carlsbad, CA, United States 06-11-11 Member Since 2004
    HELPFUL VOTES
    73
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    56
    9
    FOLLOWERS
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    6
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Dare I say it... Better then E-Myth"

    I have over 280 Audible titles 95% of theme are business\personal Development related and I review very or rate very few as many are the same after awhile. This was a stand out title and now has become an absolute favorite Top 3 by far. I just finished my 1st listen and I will be going back over and over again. Anyone is business to sell or not should own this book. There are many easy to follow actionable items that will give great freedom in your business. If E-myth is the entry class this is the advanced course.

    10 of 11 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Rastein US 02-17-13
    Rastein US 02-17-13 Member Since 2012

    RH

    HELPFUL VOTES
    13
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    69
    31
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    3
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Narrator is awful!"

    Ex of voice: Helloh thereuh. How are youuuah? Wellah. Iam fiynuhhh. Thank youahh.

    The entire book is like this!!!

    The way the narrator speaks is the way they make fun of public speakers. A voice that is comically used in a way that we feel the person is full of themselves, having bloated sentences that extend the last letters of the word. At first I thought it was a joke, then I knew it was legit and it is VERY hard to listen to. Very obnoxious. Hard to listen to! Preview it and see if you can handle it. I wish I had...

    The book is fine, the narrator blows it.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Mike Houston, TX, United States 08-01-12
    Mike Houston, TX, United States 08-01-12 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    6
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    10
    10
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Surprisingly informational with good tips"
    What did you love best about Built to Sell?

    I wasn't sure I would like a fictional company story and tips weaved into this format. It went into good detail and the expert friend, Ted, had good and fairly complex tips. The fictional company was fairly realistic and I liked the part when the seller was fumbling over why he was selling to potential buyers.

    The narrator is a little pole smokey. I have heard him on one other audio book and his delivery is smarmy. The end of most of his sentences sound like questions. You might want to listen to the 5 min sample to make sure you can handle this narrator.

    The content is good for all level of business owners.


    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Jason Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 04-16-13
    Jason Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 04-16-13 Member Since 2008

    ZEN. LDS. GTD. FTW.

    HELPFUL VOTES
    6
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    24
    19
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    8
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "I actually LIKE the narration..."
    What made the experience of listening to Built to Sell the most enjoyable?

    The narrator has a very signature style and it made the so-so story of Built to Sell more listenable. In fact, this is one of the few audiobooks I've listened to twice.

    However, judging by the other remarks, I guess Erik's narration is a love it or hate it proposition. I personally thought it was great.


    Would you recommend Built to Sell to your friends? Why or why not?

    Yes, but with the caveat that the book is a little unrealistic in how fast a business can ramp up revenues (especially a logo design firm).


    Any additional comments?

    Better than E-Myth by a country mile.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Mike Urbana, IL, United States 04-07-13
    Mike Urbana, IL, United States 04-07-13 Member Since 2007
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    15
    2
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Strong content, OK story, irritating narration"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Yes, if I thought they could handle the terrible narration.


    What was most disappointing about John Warrillow’s story?

    It was OK. I'm just not crazy about the story approach. Seems a little bogus, as if the message is, "See, this guy followed the book's advice and look at how successful he was." Just give me the information and let me decide. Or if it's going to be a story, make it something that actually happened.


    Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Erik Synnestvedt?

    Anybody. ANYBODY! My gramma?
    Joel Lefferrt was good with one of these story books.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    Yes, but I couldn't handle the narrator.


    Any additional comments?

    Please make more of an effort to in choosing a narrator. I cannot believe the publisher would have accepted this guy if they had given him an interview. (Unless he's maybe the boss's son in law.)

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Michael Graeme Perth, WA Australia 04-05-13
    Michael Graeme Perth, WA Australia 04-05-13 Member Since 2012

    Medallist

    ratings
    REVIEWS
    1
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "In a word? Appalling."
    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    No. I couldn't even get into the content, the narration was so bad. A giant shame I gather, as many reviewers who have managed to suffer the read appear to have gained from it. I may have to try again, but I'm bot looking forward to it.


    Would you recommend Built to Sell to your friends? Why or why not?

    No, for the reason previously stated.


    Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Erik Synnestvedt?

    Just about anyone.


    If this book were a movie would you go see it?

    No.


    Any additional comments?

    I've suffered only a few less-than-average reads in the months I've been with Audible, but none to the lack of skills this narrator brings to the table. So much so, that after struggling with this, I wonder if this guy passed an audition?

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Holger São Paulo, Brazil 04-05-13
    Holger São Paulo, Brazil 04-05-13 Member Since 2013
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    3
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Very week content, extremely annoying narrator"
    What would have made Built to Sell better?

    More content. The content is very superficial, there isn't actually much advice in it. Read "E-Myth" instead.


    Has Built to Sell turned you off from other books in this genre?

    No.


    Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Erik Synnestvedt?

    Anybody else. This guy has a pronunciation that is very hard to get used to. He lingers on consonants and seems to split sentences as he pleases. Very annoying and extremely distracting.


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    It was nice to indulge in the fantasy of what it will be like to sell a business. But the book will skip how to get there. The story is very naive and simplistic.


    Any additional comments?

    The narrator should be avoided! Listen to a sample first.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Aaron Mount Holly, NC, United States 01-11-13
    Aaron Mount Holly, NC, United States 01-11-13 Member Since 2013
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    1
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Great Book"
    Any additional comments?

    I am refining by business after 16 years in the landscape industry. This book has given me the steps to focus on what we do well in the hopes that we can build a business that is a joy to run as opposed to having a business that runs me. The steps outlined in this book are consistent with what other mentors have suggested to me over the last few years. This book will help you analyze your services and products so that you can narrow them down and focus on the ones that are the most repeatable and profitable. A focused approach will win out every time over a company that tries to be all things to all people. I have read many books in the last 16 years on business, this was by far one of the best I have read!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Bret A. Chilcott Neodesha, KS USA 01-05-13
    Bret A. Chilcott Neodesha, KS USA 01-05-13 Member Since 2012

    Bret C

    ratings
    REVIEWS
    16
    3
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "A MUST read for any business owner!"
    What did you love best about Built to Sell?

    "Built to sell" helps the reader to understand why is it important to grow your business with the intentions of someday selling it, even though you may change your mind. It the long run, you will have a better business. In addition the book causes the reader to reflect on focusing on the one thing the business is good at and developing it. The most difficult thing to learn is not what to do, but what NOT to do to grow your business so that someone will desire to buy it in the future.


    Any additional comments?

    Above all other books - this is a must read for business owners.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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