The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies (The Portable MBA Series) [Paperback]

William D. Bygrave (Editor), Dan D'Heilly (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047118229X | ISBN-13: 978-0471182290 | Publication Date: June 23, 1997 | Edition: 2

The crucial link between theory and practice

In The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies you'll meet people who have used the business theories and practices presented in The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship to start and run their own entrepreneurial ventures. You'll get a real sense of what it takes to conceive, develop, finance, and operate a business, and how particular elements, such as business plans and financial forecasts, function in the real world. These case studies cover a broad variety of service and product industries: retail, wholesale, mail order, and Internet. You'll discover the trials and rewards of starting a travel agency, launching a new glass-cleaning product, setting up a fashion Web site, and selling women's hosiery through direct mail. Other studies cover ventures in the computer industry, the restaurant business, automobile service franchising, and business consulting.

Each case study is illustrated with exhibits --financial statements, business plans, sample contracts, and more --and many are supplemented with end-of-chapter questions that help you analyze the viability of each entrepreneurial venture and test your ability to respond to the challenges you'll face in pursuit of your own entrepreneurial dreams.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book is a collection of cases about starting and growing new ventures. It deals with entrepreneurs, their opportunities, and the resources they need to create their ventures. Sample case studies include a plan for a health food restaurant, a computer company, a software development company, and a travel agency. Each study takes an in-depth look at the trials and tribulations of starting a business; some case studies conclude with study questions designed to help students analyze the viability of each entrepreneurial venture. Exhibits are also included throughout the book to further help students understand the various aspects of business including product advertising and financial statements. These case studies can be used as a supplement to "The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship."

From the Back Cover

The crucial link between theory and practice

In The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies you'll meet people who have used the business theories and practices presented in The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship to start and run their own entrepreneurial ventures. You'll get a real sense of what it takes to conceive, develop, finance, and operate a business, and how particular elements, such as business plans and financial forecasts, function in the real world. These case studies cover a broad variety of service and product industries: retail, wholesale, mail order, and Internet. You'll discover the trials and rewards of starting a travel agency, launching a new glass-cleaning product, setting up a fashion Web site, and selling women's hosiery through direct mail. Other studies cover ventures in the computer industry, the restaurant business, automobile service franchising, and business consulting.

Each case study is illustrated with exhibits —financial statements, business plans, sample contracts, and more —and many are supplemented with end-of-chapter questions that help you analyze the viability of each entrepreneurial venture and test your ability to respond to the challenges you'll face in pursuit of your own entrepreneurial dreams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (June 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047118229X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471182290
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An okay collection of case studies, February 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies (The Portable MBA Series) (Paperback)

This book is an "okay" set of case studies. I say okay because there is no real cohesive structure to the book and the case studies themselves are a little stale, most harking back to the early and mid nineties. Of course, since the book was published in 1997, this is to be expected. If I had had the foresight, I would have either waited for another edition (if one is forthcoming) or look for another one. Aside from the dated material, the case studies were written by many different people. This reduces the book's usefulness as a study tool, or even a good read. Personally, I would have liked to have a little analysis by the authors. I'd have to rate this book as average.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Cases Covered, March 29, 2000

By 

Mike Makkar (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies (The Portable MBA Series) (Paperback)

This book can be considered above average. However, it does not cover too many cutting edge technology related cases that interests the today's entrepreneur. Nonetheless, the book can be a starting ground to kick-start anybody's little venture and avoid some of the mistakes covered in the cases.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, July 31, 2011

By 

J. R. Oreskovich (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship Case Studies (The Portable MBA Series) (Paperback)

this book does a great job exposing issues that entrepreneurs go through. It does so by using real instances in real businesses. definite buy