The Art of Profitability

By: Adrian Slywotzky

Narrated by: Scott Mosenson, Jack Ong, Adrian Slywotzky - introduction

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

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, best selling author Adrian Slywotzy tells the story of eccentric strategy teacher David Zhao and his young student. Each of the book's 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 protégé.

Enter the classroom. Discover the art. And learn which form of profitability will help your company succeed today and grow tomorrow.

©2002 Mercer Management Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (P)2003 Time Warner AudioBooks. A division of the AOL Time Warner Book Group.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Business Information/Educational, 2003

"It's an attractive and refreshing concept that taps into the Zen of business." (Publishers Weekly)
"Harvard professor Adrian Slywotzky...brings a holistic approach to the making of money." (AudioFile)

Great book - you will listen to it at least 2x.

It is a long and informative case study - just like learning in B-school.

Learn from the master!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The characters made a facinating and instructional book that was really fun to listen too. It was not what I expected from a "business" book. Bring a notepad to write down the assignments that Steve gets. It really is a great instructional book for a "newbie" to business and profit.

important elements of an mba program

This was a terrific book. The lessons provide important ways to view what a business is and what it can be. In addition, the author recommends many outside readings that can greatly expand the listener's learning.
Although the teacher/student approach is a bit quirky, it is very effective.
The only thing this book omits is people management...if you want to read one of the best on managing people, read Andy Grove's High Output Management.

great book

very well done, entertaining, and lots of good info.. get this one!

The Art of Profitability (Unabridged)

This is really good book, and it has been presented well. It gets you to think differently about how to create more profit in your organization.

Fact or fiction - A good listen either way

I was tempted to give this four stars because I had a hard time distinguishing whether the fictional characters in the book were discussing real business examples or whether these were fictional as well.

Having said that, I gave it a five star rating because it is well read (I found the reader's affected oriental accent to be useful in distinguishing between characters but some might find it annoying, perhaps even offensive), more entertaining than most business books and, most of all, each of the 21 profit models explained in the book had real world application. That last item is my criteria for giving any business book a high rating.

The Art of Profitability got me to thinking about my own companies profit model and that prepared me well for conversations with upper management. That was the tie-breaker, any book that helps me impress my superiors gets a favorable judgement.

I just wish I knew if all the examples quoted were factual...

simple ideas well told

The models of profit are easily understood with simple real life examples throughout. The downside is the weak narration of the student. I felt like giving him one in the knackers. Despite this the book offers some good ideas, and models to think about in business life - its not going to change your life, but will make you think about your business.

Profitability and Business Models - Good Read

What did you love best about The Art of Profitability?

This book is a guide - a story - an approach to finding profit centres in your business.

In the story form, the book is gripping - the back story sometimes makes you feel the real challenges in applying a profit models in your business.

As a guide - you feel the need to learn more about the profit models and how they have been derived. Not all profit models described can be adapted to your industry straight away, but they are good starting point for discussions and insights from the book might help you build a profit model which can work for you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

In my opinion both Steve and Zhao are interesting. While reading you will find yourself trying to get ahead of Steve to answer a question which the learned Zhao has asked.

Any additional comments?

I think this AudioBook also needs the companion Kindle Book to get the best of both worlds.

Bus school without the drudgery of the MBA

This is a great business book. I am the owner, operator of a very small professional business and so most of the content dies not directly apply to my business. But gaining a greater understanding of how the whales (and sharks) swim around this little minnow is quite illuminating. And entertaining.

Well done, well worth listening.

A great book for both experienced and beginner. As a business owner I frequently get caught up in the day to day decision process without a purpose. This book helped me refocus on the real goal, profit. A must read for any entrepeneur.