Profit Management from The Art of Profitability
Course Objective
This course explores the 23 profit models presented in Adrian Slywotzky’s 'The Art of Profitability' and applies them to real business scenarios. It trains students in strategic thinking, financial insight, storytelling, and business model analysis for consulting and corporate roles. Through structured dialogue, case simulations, and profitability diagnostics, students will learn to design, critique, and optimize profit architectures.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and compare various profit models across industries and business sizes.
- Evaluate profit potential based on market structure, value chain positioning, and customer dynamics.
- Diagnose business model weaknesses and recommend profit-enhancing strategies.
- Communicate profitability concepts using storytelling, analogies, and consulting logic.
- Design sustainable, scalable, and ethical profit models.
Profit Management from The Art of Profitability Syllabus T30
| Session No. | Topics | Tool/Reading/Activity | Skill Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Profitability Thinking | Preface + Introduction | Strategic Mindset |
| 2 | Customer Solution Profit | Ch.1 | Customer-Centric Value |
| 3 | Product Pyramid Profit | Ch.2 | Pricing Architecture |
| 4 | Multicomponent Profit | Ch.3 | Bundling Strategy |
| 5 | Switchboard Profit | Ch.4 | Platform Monetization |
| 6 | Time Profit | Ch.5 | Speed-to-Profit Strategy |
| 7 | Blockbuster Profit | Ch.6 | Winner-Takes-All Models |
| 8 | Profit Multiplier | Ch.7 | IP & Reusability |
| 9 | Entrepreneurial Profit | Ch.8 | Early Risk vs. Reward |
| 10 | Installed Base Profit | Ch.9 | Aftermarket Economics |
| 11 | Local Leadership Profit | Ch.10 | Geographic Niche |
| 12 | Specialist Profit | Ch.11 | Focus Advantage |
| 13 | Experience Curve Profit | Ch.12 | Cost Learning |
| 14 | Cycle Profit | Ch.13 | Asset Rotation |
| 15 | After-Sale Profit | Ch.14 | Lifecycle Extension |
| 16 | Hidden Profit | Ch.15 | Profit Leakage Identification |
| 17 | Pricing Profit | Ch.16 | Margin Strategy |
| 18 | Relative Market Share Profit | Ch.17 | Competitive Positioning |
| 19 | Knowledge/Standard/Integration Profits | Ch.18–20 | Systems Thinking |
| 20 | Profit Architecture Design Workshop | Final Project Presentations | Strategic Synthesis |
Textbook & Resources
Primary Resource:
- The Art of Profitability by Adrian Slywotzky
Supplementary:
- HBR Profit Model Cases, McKinsey Profitability Frameworks, Sector Reports