What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Developing a Highly Successful Company - Hardcover

Helzberg Jr., Barnett C.; Helzberg, Barnett

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471271144 ISBN 13: 9780471271147

Publisher: Wiley, 2003

Synopsis

Expert advice for those who want to create a solid company
Through hard work and determination Barnett Helzberg built his small family owned business-Helzberg Diamonds-into a successful company that caught the attention of Warren Buffett. Buffett was so impressed with the business that in 1995 he decided to purchase Helzberg Diamonds through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway. Helzberg shares his thirty years of experience in running a successful business and outlines the steps needed to prosper within a challenging business environment. Through "helpful hints" and words of wisdom, Helzberg offers a proven road map for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to build a solid company that will stand the test of time. What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett is a comprehensive guide that will help readers get their businesses on the right track.
Barnett C. Helzberg Jr. (Kansas City, MO) was President of Helzberg Diamonds, Inc. from 1962 to 1995, a period during which he expanded his family-owned business to 143 stores in twenty-three states. His business practices have been a key ingredient to the success of Helzberg Diamonds.

About this title

About the Author

BARNETT C. HELZBERG, Jr., former president and CEO of Helzberg Diamonds, Inc. from 1962 to 1995, a period of success during which he led the expansion of the family-owned business from fewer than thirty jewelry stores to 143 stores in twenty-three states. Under Helzberg’s leadership, the company defined the concept of placing jewelry stores in shopping malls and earned a national reputation for profitable, customer-focused operations. Its average per store sales of more than $2 million in 1994 were more than double the industry average. In a November 1994 industry report, Goldman Sachs said Helzberg Diamonds set the industry standard for customer service, calling the company the "Nordstrom of the jewelry business."

From the Back Cover

"Your book is terrific. It contains helpful advice and is easy to read."
—Warren Buffett

"This is 24-carat advice–a real gem for any aspiring entrepreneur."
–Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

"Who better to teach us all about managing and growing a business than Barnett Helzberg? His honesty and upfront perspective on management and business principles should be required reading for a wide audience."
–Henry W. Bloch, Cofounder and Honorary Chairman,
H&R Block, Inc.

"What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett is based on thirty-nine years of hard work and experience. It is interesting and instructive, and I highly recommend it."
–Bob Dole

Although the chances of receiving a phone call from Warren Buffett are small, the chances of developing a highly successful company are better than you may think. All you need to succeed is a burning desire and the right set of entrepreneurial skills. In What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett, Barnett Helzberg shares his thirty years of experience in running a successful business and outlines the steps needed to prosper within a challenging business environment.

From the Inside Flap

Through hard work and determination, Barnett Helzberg built his small family-owned business–Helzberg Diamonds–into a successful company that caught the attention of Warren Buffett. Buffett was so impressed with the business that in 1995 he decided to purchase Helzberg Diamonds through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway–an act that any business owner would consider the ultimate compliment.

Although the chances of receiving a phone call from Warren Buffett are small, the chances of developing a highly successful company are better than you may think. All you need to succeed is a burning desire and the right set of entrepreneurial skills. In What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett, Barnett Helzberg shares his thirty years of experience in running a successful business and outlines the steps needed to prosper within a challenging business environment.

Divided into six information-packed sections–Managing, Decision Making, Hiring, Inspiring, Communicating, and Focusing–What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett provides a step-by-step approach for developing your own entrepreneurial business sense. Filled with over seventy-five gems of entrepreneurial wisdom, each contained in short, readable chapters, this comprehensive guide offers a proven road map for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to build a solid company that will stand the test of time. Through real-life experiences gleaned by Helzberg on his journey as well as honest insights of other seasoned entrepreneurs, you will receive an unparalleled education on what it takes to get on the right entrepreneurial track and stay there.

• Some of the valuable lessons you will learn include how to:
• Keep and build customers
• Overcome and grow from your mistakes
• Hire the right employee(s), lawyer(s), CPA(s), or other professionals
• Recognize great work and motivate associates
• Listen and negotiate
• Understand the business you’re in

Entrepreneurs come in every shape and size, and arise under a variety of different circumstances. Some are made from the moment they open their first lemonade stand. Others are born out of necessity–inheriting a family business or getting laid off. Whatever your situation, What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett will show you how to transform yourself into the entrepreneur you’ve always wanted to become.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471271144
• ISBN 13: 9780471271147
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224