The Checklist Manifesto vs Built To Sell

Introduction

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande and Built to Sell by John Warrillow are two widely popular books that offer invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and business owners. While The Checklist Manifesto focuses on the power of checklists, Built to Sell offers advice on how to build a business that can be sold. In this blog post, we’ll compare and contrast these two books and explore the lessons they offer.

The Checklist Manifesto

The Checklist Manifesto argues that checklists are powerful tools that can help reduce errors, improve safety, and increase efficiency in various industries, including medicine, aviation, and construction. The book outlines the history of checklists, describes how they have been used in different fields, and provides examples of how they have saved lives and prevented disasters. The author emphasizes that checklists need to be simple, precise, and easy to use, and that they should be tested and refined over time.

Built to Sell

In contrast, Built to Sell is a guidebook for entrepreneurs who want to create a business that can operate without their constant involvement. The book offers practical advice on how to build a business that can be sold to a new owner or scaled up for growth. It suggests that entrepreneurs should focus on creating a company that offers a unique value proposition, has a defined target market, and generates recurring revenue. The book also recommends creating systems and processes that are easy to understand, so that the business can operate smoothly without the owner’s constant input.

The Comparison

While both books focus on the importance of processes and systems, The Checklist Manifesto emphasizes the use of checklists as a tool for reducing errors, while Built to Sell recommends the creation of processes that can be easily replicated and understood by others. The two books can be complementary in many ways, as checklists can be seen as one aspect of a larger process, and can help ensure that a process is being followed correctly.

In conclusion, both The Checklist Manifesto and Built to Sell offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business owners. By using checklists and creating systems and processes that are easy to understand and replicate, businesses can operate more efficiently, reduce errors, and increase profitability. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a pilot, or a business owner, the principles outlined in these two books can help you improve your performance and achieve your goals.