Business Planning Books

The full title of the book by Elliot Wagonheim is

Fire, Aim…Ready: Management: The Start at the End Approach to Crushing Competition, Crafting Culture, and Cementing Relationships

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it 3 Stars.

Here is my review.

What stories do you want your customers and employees to tell about your business?

I’m been aware of the old planning adage that “you should start with the end in mind and work backwards” for many years. It’s a very useful way to look at things and sometimes I work both ways. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Jane Horan is

“The One Page Business Plan: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Write a Business Plan“.

In my review posted to Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a Four Stars rating. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

A very interesting way to develop or summarise your plans for a business

This is very different from other business planning books I’ve read. It solves a problem which puts many small business owners off the idea of business planning because of the time required.

The typical business plan is long on words and numbers but this does what it says on the tin. While it’s short on words, it is deep in the most important thing – the quality of thinking which goes into creating a successful business. [continue reading…]

The complete title of this book by Paul Barrow is

“The Best Laid Business Plans: How to Write Them, How to Pitch Them“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I rated this book as Four Stars. This means that I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Identifies four types of business plan and guides you through what’s needed.

The author recognises four needs for business plans:

1. To raise money – this is usually why most small businesses create a business plan.
2. To get approval for a course of action – from the owner, the board or the holding company.
3. To improve performance.
4. To get third party support – customers, suppliers or a landlord may want reassurance about the intentions of the business.

The purpose of the plan then guides its contents. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur is

“Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers“.

In my review on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means that it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

More style than substance

This is a remarkable triumph of visual design. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book like it before.

I have some criticisms about how easy it is to read and the fact that the content is more style over substance. For one thing, to create space for all the funky images, the words are in a small font. I was OK but I know that some people will struggle.

I really like the idea of the one page Business Model Canvas which is described as “a shared language for describing, visualising, assessing and changing business models.” It looks very useful to summarise your existing business model and for moving towards better ways to create, deliver and capture value. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by David Lavinsky is

“Start at the End: How Companies Can Grow Bigger and Faster by Reversing Their Business Plan“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I rated this book as Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Recommended for inexperienced small business owners.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

On the one hand, it wasn’t the book that I expected to read about reversing planning from an end goal and how to overcome the obstacles and constraints that stand in the way.

On the other hand, I think it is a very good book to help the owners of new and growing small businesses to recommit to the business and it’s packed with practical management tips. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Robert W Bradford and J Peter Duncan with Brian Tarcy is

“Simplified Strategic Planning: The No-Nonsense Guide for Busy People Who Want Results Fast“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Very good book for SMEs who want or need to put together a strategic plan and then implement it.

The full title summarises this book well. It is a very good guide for the management team of any medium sized business which feels lost when thinking about business strategy.

Strategy is one of those words that nearly everyone feels obliged to use but it’s often difficult to put a finger on what it means when you are trying to think strategically or even to prepare a strategic plan. It is hard to see effective strategy in action although when you do see, you are wowed by how well everything fits together. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by David Silverstein is

“Three Steps Ahead: Thinking Strategically to Avoid Unintended Consequences“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Very interesting

By definition, it’s unusual to think about unintended consequences but these are the usually unwanted events that turn a good idea into a bad one. That’s obviously a mistake but how do you think about the unknown unknowns?

Unintended consequences are also a problem with performance measures and incentives. I remember blogging about the time when the Accident & Emergency departments in hospitals were set a target to see people in four hours and it resulted in the measure being gamed by leaving patients in ambulances and tying down these first responders to the hospitals instead of being free to deal with emergencies. [continue reading…]

Your Business Blueprint by Rich Schefren

Book Review  4.5 Stars

Your Business Blueprint is the first Founders Club report and pdf written by Rich Schefren. This is the master-plan for you to design your business.

Let me emphasise three of those words.

Design Your Business

While business owners are encouraged to create business plans,the thinking is often at a level that is too superficial. The plan is written to convince the bank manager to give you the loan or overdraft you want. It doesn’t dig deep into how you can create a business model to create the right business for you.

The right business for you is one that gives you the lifestyle you want in your private life.

Too often businesses evolve, step by step, one decision at a time.

[continue reading…]