Anthony Abbott

Summary

Key Insights

Success is the result of doing the right things repeatedly, without waiting for the “perfect time” to start.

Humility in leadership means a desire to succeed without the arrogance of believing you are always right.

Commit to continual personal and organisational improvement; aim to exceed expectations.

Treat employees as volunteers — motivate through purpose, recognition, and respect.

Adapt leadership style to different personalities; understand what matters to others and how you can help them.

Leadership is proactive: act like a leader, and you become one.

Clarity is essential: write down objectives, be specific, and identify steps.

View failure as feedback, not defeat. 

Commit to excellence and work single-mindedly on the most important task.

Leaders take responsibility and give credit; they listen carefully and encourage feedback.

Plans may not always work, but the act of planning is critical.

Apply Drucker’s five questions: What is our mission? Who are our customers? What do they value? What results do we seek? What is our plan?

A thorough, living business plan improves success odds; revise it regularly.

Customers are motivated by clear expectations; unclear expectations demotivate.

Manage by objective: state the goal, let the team decide how to achieve it.

Always aim to satisfy and retain customers; small and new businesses must innovate.

The purpose of a business is to create and keep customers (Drucker).

People buy benefits, not products — to save time or money, gain money or reputation, or improve status, security, and well-being.

Understand customer demographics, desires, and fears; use this to shape the marketing mix (product, price, promotion, place, positioning, people).

Be clear about what your product does and the value it delivers; demonstrate cost savings, time savings, or increased profits.

Selling requires identifying needs, presenting persuasively, handling objections, closing, and seeking referrals.

Keep customers by providing value, taking responsibility for mistakes, and defining quality by their standards.

Treat your employees well so they treat your customers well; always go the extra mile.

Strengths

Extremely actionable — packed with practical steps and questions.

Covers all major business functions in an integrated way.

Emphasises both leadership mindset and operational execution.

Rooted in timeless business principles that apply across industries.

Weaknesses

Some advice is familiar to those well-read in business literature.

Relies heavily on lists and checklists, which can feel repetitive.

Assumes a proactive, high-control leadership style that may not fit all organisational cultures.

Reflections

This book serves as a refresher on the fundamentals of building and running a business. I found the emphasis on humility and treating employees as volunteers particularly compelling. It portrays true leadership as service. The reminder to manage by objective, letting the team determine the “how,” is a useful check against micromanagement.

The customer-focused sections reinforce the idea that retention is more cost-effective than acquisition, and that quality is defined by the customer, not by internal standards. Tracy’s insistence on clarity, writing goals, defining steps, and measuring results is a habit worth strengthening.

Conclusion

*Now, Build a Great Business!* is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for leaders and entrepreneurs. It blends leadership principles with tactical execution across planning, marketing, sales, and customer service. While much of the material may be familiar, Tracy’s clarity and structure make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to grow a business in a competitive market.

Book Details

Title: Now, Build a Great Business!: 7 Ways to Maximise Your Profits in Any Market
Author: Brian Tracy
Publication Year: 2010
Genre: Leadership
Reference: Skylark Vol. 4, p. 20

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