Corporate-finance

THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR ANYONE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN REENGINEERING CONCEPTS, METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES.

The book was written probably some 15 years ago, when Real Options barely existed and the only tools available to consultants were efficient frontier and NPV. The treatment of risk vs. return is very simplistic, NPV concept does not hold any more (ROV is a way to go). In summary: an outdated book.

It's a book about strategy. The author shows how to establish a value-creating business portfolio stategy, stressing the importance of developing different strategic alternatives, including possible aquisitions, and assesing the risk involved. The book is an excellent choice for those facing the definition of an optimal non-financial portfolio.

Michael Allen has portrayed the real meaning of portfolio management in a manner that is readily accessible to business executives. His concept of "full value" is a challenging one for anyone charged with creating value where portfolios of products, business units, R&D projects, and so on, are involved.

I had this book i college and now just ordered it to refresh my memory. Hopefully I think it is as now as I thought 10 years ago..

When you are in marketing, you have to stay on top of every aspect all of the time. So many business/marketing plan books are either not complete, current, too technical or not technical enough! I took this book out from my local library, and I like it so much, I am purchasing it. I find it easy to read -- the layout is wonderful including special tip boxes throughout that address everything from plan pitfalls to buzzwords. (One does need to learn the current lingo after all -- it is changing so fast.) There are also solutions to basic questions like: Should I go for venture capital or look for strategic partnerships? Top all this off with a helpful listing of Small-Business Friendly Banks. Like I said, this book is a pleasant surprise.

Business Plans For Dummies covers the strategy of putting a business plan together, Business Plans Kit For Dummies covers how to put a business plan to work! This kit covers business plans for every stage (and every type) of business: e-business, sole proprietorships, small businesses, service companies, high-tech companies, non-profits -- even business plans for middle managers and restructuring a company. It emphasizes methods for obtaining funding and sources to tap for capital, and explains how to formulate business plans according to the planned business model -- bricks-and-mortar vs. e-business. It also includes updated terminology and jargon from the business planning and venture capital industries, and shows you how to gear specific plans for businesses in different phases of development (i.e., startup, expansion, etc.).

The book itself is a very basic rundown of starting a business running and keeping it going. The info presented is quite basic, and not very detailed. BUT, the enclosed CD is FULL, FULL, FULL of forms, government documents, sample by-laws, etc., etc., etc. Having all these forms at your disposal is invaluable. It's a terrific book and CD.

Like a lot of people, I am a BIG fan of the first Business Plans for Dummies book. It got me started thinking about going out on my own a few years ago. Well, this new Kit book is a great addition. It's particularly useful as a real hands-on guide to putting together a business plan and then making it work. Every chapter has checklists and other forms that take you through the process step by step, as well as "case study" type examples that really bring the information alive. It's full of updated examples of businesses that have succeeded (and how they did it.) And it also contains terrific analyses of business plans that didn't quite make it (and why.) As a small business owner myself, I was surprised to learn as much as I did from the chapter devoted to small businesses. UNLIKE a lot of other business planning books, this one tackles the subject with real authority along with a great sense of humor. I think this is an essential book for anyone who is putting together a business plan for the first time. I even used the trial business planning software that comes on the CD-ROM to choose the program that would work best for our company. And that's made completing the business planning process even smoother.

I'm a business planning consultant and a client just gave me a copy of this book. Way too basic, not enough help on the most important part of any business plan: the financials. If you want to get funded, look for a better book.

Many people starting a business have no prior business experience and have taken no college or university courses on business. Bill Gates is a guy that comes to mind. Everyone needs a basic plan.

Unfortunately when you start you might be in a hurry. You might have a compelling technical product that customers are ordering and suddenly you are thrust into a situation where you must manage a company. It can start so fast that you are playing catch-up. So a good idea is to have a good accountant and maybe an MBA consultant that one can talk to.

But in the end you make the decisions. This book is a nice quick summary of making a plan and a place to start. For $15. it is a bargain and do not be fooled by the price. There is lots of good stuff in this book. It is one of the cheapest thing in the office as I am sure you are aware..

For what it is three or four stars.

Jack in Toronto

I've done a number of business plans in my time and bought this book as a gift for a friend who wants to start her own business. I purchased it because it includes all of the basics needed to develop a business plan that will guide you as you start and build your business and will also give you the credibility you need to secure outside financing. This is a very good step-by-step guide for those completely new to business and an excellent refresher guide for those who already know the basics.

And, by the way, you can skip the companion Dummies book called Business Plans Kit, which covers the same ground as this book but includes a CD-ROM that doesn't add much value. The truth is, this book is cheaper and offers just as much help as the larger and more expensive kit version.