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

· Sold by Penguin
4.5
48 reviews
Ebook
176
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

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 specialising in doing one thing better than anyone else. * Repeatable: generate recurring revenue by engineering products that customers have to repurchase often.

Ratings and reviews

4.5
48 reviews
Anthony Felton
April 22, 2022
This is a story book. The lessons the book teaches are taught through fictional characters experiencing fictional events. I don't like this approach. The book is very long winded as a result. You're supposed to read this story of Alex, relate to him, and do as he does on his journey to make his business saleable. Thing is, you need to take it all at face value. There's no data or research to back up the claims. Or more importantly to understand them at any level. As I go through this journey myself I discovered the importance of data and standard operating procedures. Neither of these are explained in any real detail in the book. They don't even go by their proper names. The book simply isn't specific enough to be useful or even adaptable to your own circumstances. Its just a story. I'm half way through and reading about Alex making a sandwich for himself at a beach house. It's irrelevant, time consuming and vague. Won't be finishing it.
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A Google user
November 19, 2013
I wasn't sure I had the right book when it was clear I was reading a work of fiction. But I quickly realized the method of teaching and really loved it. Excellent detail. Would recommend this not only to sellers but also people trying to get some positive cash flow in their tired business.
6 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
December 15, 2016
The book was referred to me by another entrepreneur. I was just starting my business, First Page Solutions, as an SEO agency and Built to Sell made me realize how agency production could be set up with a system to enable higher profits and a guaranteed profitable exit plan. I read it the first time after getting it from my local library, now I'm buying it for my chief consultant and hoping he will understand our future as I see it!
6 people found this review helpful
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About the author

John Warrillow is the author of Built To Sell: Turn Your Business Into One You Can Sell. Throughout his career as an entrepreneur, John has started and exited four companies. Most recently he transformed Warrillow & Co. from a boutique consultancy into a recurring revenue model subscription business, which he sold to The Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD) in 2008. He is the author of Drilling for Gold and in 2008 was recognized by BtoB Magazine's "Who's Who" list as one of America's most influential business-to-business marketers.

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