Product Description

Are you afraid of finance? If so, don't worry. You're in good company: many entrepreneurs and small business owners are the same. And now, here is the book for you. Jointly written by Beermat Entrepreneur Chris West and two experienced finance directors, Stephen King and Jeff Macklin, "Finance on a Beermat" demystifies the whole topic. It shows you how to turn finance from something scary, dull, backward-looking or incomprehensible (sometimes all four!) into a clear, powerful and proactive tool for building businesses. Cash is the lifeblood of every small business - but how do you control it?How do you minimize risk while maximizing the potential of your business? What do you need to know about taxes, NI and PAYE? When people start using accountancy-speak, when do you need to listen, and when can you ignore them? What sort of people make the best finance directors for growing businesses? And if you are a finance specialist looking to escape the corporate/professional grind and get involved in enterprise, how do you go about it? Unlike most finance books, "Finance on a Beermat" is aimed purely at small and growing businesses. It is accessible, comprehensive and written from many years' experience in the start-up sector.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240049 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
'At last, a finance book that entrepreneurs can actually enjoy, understand and use'Jason Porter, Co-founder, Friends Reunited

From the Inside Flap
‘Every new business owner should read this book’
Andy Raynor, Chief Executive, Tenon Group

‘Another must-read from the inspirational team that brought us other Beermat classics. As always, easy to digest but stays with you forever’
Matt Williams, Founder and MD, Making Waves Communications

‘Finance on a Beermat builds a much-needed bridge between finance professionals and working entrepreneurs’
Tony Gibbens, Senior Private Banker, Coutts & Co

‘At last! Finance truly demystified. Credit to the Authors for turning a boring subject full of jargon into something more palatable.This book should rank as an entrepreneur’s "best friend" when getting to grips with the financial issues of starting and running their business’
Gita Patel, Director, Stargate Capital

‘Finance on a Beermat is the latest in the superb Beermat series; a must for all entrepreneurs, a great source of tips for existing organisations and a ready made set of handbooks for companies that are already true Beermat businesses!’
Joe Nicholson, Managing Director, Anvil Software Ltd

‘Finance and financial management are the very foundations of any business: it’s critical that every business owner or leader gets this one right. The authors’ advice in this excellent volume should be essential reading for any new, or even any existing, business’
Garry Mumford, Senior Partner, Insight Associates

‘All entrepreneurs need to understand finance to make sense of their business and to help realise their ambitions. This book is an excellent introduction to what is for many a daunting subject – it is approachable, concise and relevant’
Tim Jones, former Chief Executive, NatWest Retail Banking

‘Finance can be a minefield for the entrepreneur. Here is a clear, expertly-drawn map that will lead you safely through it. Every new business owner should read this book’
Chris Stevens, Managing Director Eteach UK Ltd

‘A book on finance that I could understand and actually enjoyed reading. Hallelujah!’
Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, NewcastleGateshead Initiative

'Many entrepreneurs will never find finance as sexy as design, marketing or sales, but this book de-mystifies an essential area of business and expertly lays out a clear path through what is often seen as a minefield. Another classic Beermat book which should be compulsory reading for all new businesses' Steve Procter, CEO, iTAGG

From the Back Cover
The Beermat Entrepreneurs are highly successful small business advisers, and in Finance on a Beermat they offer brilliantly straightforward and practical guidance on how to understand and take control of your company's finances. Ranging from coverage of the nuts and bolts of everyday business (how balance sheets work, what VAT returns involve) to advice on drawing up a business plan, their advice will be invaluable to anyone involved in running a company or small enterprise.

The Beermat guides: helping you build a great business

Customer Reviews

Flattening the Fear about Finance
The simple explanation of double entry book keeping and the way it links with the balance sheet and profit and loss statement was magical - the easiest to understand exposition I have read in 20 years.

As a regular deliverer of a 2 day training workshop for Business Advisers on behalf of the Institute of Business Advisers (IBA)and similar courses, I was delighted to read this book and will now be giving away copies (bought from Amazon) on our future Flattening the Fear about Finance programmes.

The whole book is a delight. It is easy to read, makes finance fun, is accurate, useful and peppered with great examples, as well as emphasising the important bits all business people need to know.

Entrepreneurs, SME's need to know this ...
I have been running my own company for 18 months and struggled with balance sheets, profit & loss and backend finance until now!

A must buy to confront your demons! Finance explained in a simple, pragmatic format! Enjoy ....

An excellent read with sound practical advice
If you are running (or thinking of starting) an SME business in the UK, give this book a try. Some very sound, clearly explained advice to help you make it. As they say, everything ends up in the accounts eventually!!