Shut Up and Listen Book Summary

Book Summary

15 min

Audio available

Brief Summary

Have you ever been so frustrated you wanted to scream? It's a feeling that the author and successful business owner Tilman Fertitta can relate to. He has a wealth of knowledge about how to become successful in business - and many stubborn entrepreneurs refuse to listen to his advice. Here’s your chance to be wiser than they were. With tips on every topic of business ownership, from choosing a business partner to securing a reasonable lease agreement, he covers it all. Read on to learn what to do when a your restaurant customer orders breakfast at 9:00 pm (and why this matters, even if you’re not in hospitality), why a lot of orders can kill a business if you’re not careful, and when 5% can be greater than 95% (and how this can spell trouble for your company).

About the Author

Tilman Fertitta is an American businessman and television personality. He is the chairman, CEO, and sole owner of Landry’s Inc, one of the largest restaurant corporations in the United States. He owners the NBA’s Houston Rockets. He is worth 4.5 billion dollars and is the 153th Forbes’ 400 list wealthiest American. He is the chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System. He became the star of Billion Dollar Buyer on CNBC. He attended Texas Tech University. He lives with his wife in Houston with their four children.

Topics

Entrepreneurship Management & Leadership

Shut Up and Listen Book Summary Preview

Have you ever been so frustrated you wanted to scream? It's a feeling that author and successful business owner Tilman Fertitta can relate to: and it's the inspiration behind the title of his book Shut up and Listen. Fertitta is the 153rd richest person in America, with a variety of accomplishments under his belt. He is the sole owner and founder of Feritta Entertainment, which owns casinos, hotels, and popular restaurants. He owns the Houston Rockets, and has starred in his own reality show, Billion Dollar Buyer. So, why does he want to scream? He has a wealth of knowledge about how to become successful in business - and many stubborn entrepreneurs (usually to their detriment) refuse to listen to his advice. Here’s your chance to be wiser than they were. Read on to see the common blind spots many entrepreneurs have, with many tips along the way. Including: what to do when a customer orders breakfast at 9:00 pm, why a lot of orders can kill a business, and when 5% can be greater than 95%.

Vigilance is key

Failure to plan for future threats can bring your business to its knees. In order to plan for the future, be honest with yourself about where you are. Be realistic about your product, your competition, and what you’re capable of. Once you have a firm realistic grasp of your business, plan accordingly. When the author works on his show, Billion Dollar Buyer, he has excellent products presented to him all the time. However, in spite of the fact that the product and pitch are brilliant, there is often some area where are missing the target: and that key area can often spell failure for business owners. Make sure to be vigilant and honest with yourself about where you might be missing the mark in your own business.

What are the key areas he often sees missing? Read on to find out!

Hospitality Matters

Think about how frustrating it is when you order something from a restaurant and they are out, or when you miss the brunch menu by ten minutes… but you still can’t eat. Now, think about your customers. Consider the times when your customers have a need that inconveniences you or your company. How do you respond?

Listen to your customer: When your customers talk to you, nothing but they should matter. And when they tell you about a problem… well, as the author says, “it's free to be nice”. Make the customer feel special. That's the most important thing. You can do that by following through on your commitments. Do what the customer says you should, not what you think it's right. You might love a product you created, but think about what your customers would want. Oh, and as far as products go: cater to the masses - not the classes. Listening to your customer means considering the broader the appeal of your product. The more universally useful your product is, the more people will want it, and the more it will...