The Definitive Business Plan: The fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs [Paperback]

Richard Stutely (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0273659219 | ISBN-13: 978-0273659211 | Publication Date: May 3, 2002 | Edition: 1

Accessible to both the entrepreneur and the experienced executive, this second edition of The Definitive Business Plan is the fast track to intelligent business planning. This international bestseller is THE ultimate guide to business planning. Whether your goal is to launch a new business or secure corporate support for a new venture, it will help you build a plan capable of driving and directing a robust business.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Definitive Business Plan: "Truly a practical guide to better business planning. The book is friendly and easy to read. An indispensable corporate tool." - Peter N. Tan, Senior Vice President, Hambrecht & Quist "If this book had been available 30 years ago, life would have been a lot easier." - Mike Brooke, Entrepreneur and Private Venture Capitalist "This is the most user-friendly book covering the business planning process that I have seen"- Reginald May, formerly Deputy Chief Executive, Access Credit Card Company, Vice President, American Express Distribution Strategy ESG and Chairman 4M+ Associates Ltd "A comprehensive, clear and rigorous framework. Invaluable for both practitioners and MBA students alike. This is the guide to business planning in rapidly changing times." - Lakis C. Kaounides, Director, MBA in the Management Technology and Electronic Business, City University Business School, London

From the Back Cover

A good business plan is the difference between success and not even getting the chance to try.

This international bestseller is THE ultimate guide to business planning.

Whether the goal is raising start-up or development finance for a new business, requesting venture funding from a corporate parent or directing operational management, The Definitive Business Plan will help you deliver the information that the decision-makers are really looking for.

Accessible to the newcomer and detailed enough for the experienced planner, this book explains how to tailor a plan for specific readerships and to meet specific objectives. It helps focus attention on strategic planning and on strategic and operational controls.

If you want to part people from their cash you need a business plan that has the substance to stand up to close examination without falling over. The Definitive Business Plan will make sure your plan is good enough to start, run or revitalise any business enterprise.

"Truly a practical guide to better business planning. The book is friendly and easy to read. It is especially helpful in developing the correct thought process, which is so essential to effective strategic planning. An indispensable corporate tool."

— Peter N. Tan,
Senior Vice President, Hambrecht & Quist

"Richard Stutely's Definitive Business Plan provides the missing link between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists: essential reading for those who need to bridge the knowledge gap. If this book had been available 30 years ago, life would have been a lot easier."

— Mike Brooke,
Entrepreneur and Private Venture Capitalist

"Richard Stutely's clear, no-nonsense writing style, and his mastery of the subject make this a very valuable book indeed. The relation of the material to non-profit organizations has definitely helped me in my role at the Chamber."

— Martin F. Brecknock,
Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines

"This is the most user-friendly book covering the business planning process that I have seen. It covers the subject in a comprehensive manner and brings some new insights to bear on this very important issue. It is also a very good read as a result of all the anecdotes scattered throughout the book. I strongly recommend it to all those concerned with business plans particularly in the financial services sector."

— Reginald May,
formerly Deputy Chief Executive, Access Credit Card Company,
Vice President, American Express Distribution Strategy ESG
and Chairman 4M+ Associates Ltd

"Recent turbulent events in the technology markets have shown the critical importance of conventional business planning.  This book provides a comprenhensive, clear and rigorous framework for developing and implementing a business plan that sets out an overall strategy, together with detailed operational and financial plans.  Invaluable for both practioners adn MBA students alike.  This is the guide to buisness planning in rapidly changing times."

— Lakis C. Kaounides,
Director, MBA in the Management Technology and Electronic Business,
City University Business School, London

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: FT Press; 1 edition (May 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0273659219
• ISBN-13: 978-0273659211
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,517,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Believe me, this IS the definitive business plan book..., November 12, 2000

By 

Claudia Romo Morillo (Mexico City, Distrito Federal Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Definitive Business Plan: The Fast-track to Intelligent Business Planning for Executives and Entrepreneurs (Paperback)

Here you have a man named Richard Stutely who was the Minister of Finance in UK, and has worked in their Stock Market Board, first rate banks and schools. He is also a very prolific writer for The Economist.

What would you expect of a book from him?.

Well, he writes in a very simple, easy to read manner. But almost in every sentence and thought one can see, feel, understand and then apply years of top management wisdom.

I consider myself an expert on this subject, I live from it, I teach and I am also a consultant. I've read thousands of ideas and walked through many best practices myself. But this IS the book.

Why?

1- It is honest 2- It teaches you to know yourself first, then where you want to go, then to know the world around you, make a strategy and finnaly how to present your way towards profits managing the risks 3- Then he shows you a very simple and important lesson; how to get your plan approved 4- And finnaly, how to avoid putting the plan in a shelve and instead how to use it for every day operations guidance 5- A book for all- no previous knowledge required 6- You can use all the chapters or costumize it for yourself 7- It is the backbone of all the other guides and software do-it-yourself in one minute type

If you want to DO IT and also UNDERSTAND what you are doing read this 300 pages beauty.

(you'll made yourself and the world business community a big favor)...

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brilliant, December 5, 2002

By 

"austin_ed" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Definitive Business Plan: The fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs (Paperback)

Written for serious professionals, and assumes a modicum of intelligence, out of all the books claiming to assist in designing a business plan, this is the only one that actually comes close to anything serious. Have a look at the sample pages to see what I mean.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and also more internationally oriented, December 12, 2002

By 

Klaus Kühn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Definitive Business Plan: The fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs (Paperback)

I find this book way superior to many other books on the subject. At the same time, it approaches business plans with small boxed anecdotes and an easy-going attitude (alla "...for dummies" but a far better level). Also differences between British and U.S. accounting terms are explained, giving the book a touch of international reach. At all times you have the feeling of being in company with a very talented and experienced author.