By HEATHER DOUGLAS
No business should start up without a copy of Small Business Survival Tactics - nor should it operate without one within easy reach.
This home-grown book is crammed full of useful, easy-to-find and easy-to-understand information that can make a real difference to your bottom line.
The first chapter covers topics
such as which factors contribute to small business success and survival, how to escape common pitfalls, and how to develop your business - in short, how to keep ahead.
Other chapters detail such topics as managing the legal maze (including what to do when a customer sends a cheque for less than he or she owes, and how you can best limit your liability), how to go about choosing business advisers and the ever-thorny issue of involving family.
There is also up-to-date information on the internet, trends and future business options, as well as practical advice on buying or selling a business.
The depth of information makes the book suited not only to those just starting out or considering going into business by themselves, but also to old hands who are interested in expanding their businesses or developing their understanding of various aspects of running a business.
The sections on "accounting and other scary topics" and "keeping your cash" are particularly detailed and practical, giving business owners good how-to advice and an insight into the financial side of their businesses.
Whether you want to find out how to keep good records, understand financial analysis and ratios, or get a grasp on why your bank balance differs from your net profit, this book provides lots of information.
Glen Senior is recognised as one of New Zealand's leading experts on small-business matters, and has designed and delivered training programmes since 1989. Ian McBride is an author and publisher and has taught business communications skills to many small-business people. Small Business Survival Tactics is the second book the pair have written together, and an excellent companion to the highly acclaimed Marketing your Small Business in New Zealand.
* Enterprise Pub., 2000
* Heather Douglas is managing director of Home Business New Zealand.
