Deborah Meaden is known to millions for her straight-talking, no-nonsense approach on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den. A brilliant entrepreneur herself, she knows exactly what questions to ask and what pitfalls to avoid when deciding whether or not to invest in a new venture. In Common Sense Rules, Deborah shares the secrets of her success, drawing on years of experience to offer advice that is both candid and straightforward. How do you turn a bright idea into a commercial proposition? How do you inspire others to get on board? How do you ensure that a setback doesn’t become a disaster? Above all, how do you make sure that you stay focused and achieve the goals you’ve set yourself? Some of Deborah’s insights come from observing the successes – and the failures – of others. Many more, though are drawn from her own life and business ventures. She shows, for example, how an early stint as a bingo caller in a holiday park gave her a crash course in customer relations. She frankly and honestly analyses why her first enterprise, which started so promisingly, turned sour. And she explains why turning down a multi-million pound offer for her chain of holiday parks was the best decision she ever made. As direct and to-the-point on the page as she is in the Den, Deborah Meaden is a superbly clear-sighted and experienced observer of business success, and her book is guaranteed both to inform and inspire.
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'A refreshingly sensible look at an area plagued by hype and mythology'
-- Management Today
-- Management Today
Book Description
Common-sense business advice from the straight-talking Dragon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Bowes
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Deborah Meaden is an experienced and highly successful businesswoman who has recently become well known to the general public thanks to the 'Dragons' Den' television series. Unusually, in a literary field dominated by celebrity entrepreneurs, she possesses qualities that make her book about running a business useful. In particular, she has no time at all for business school jargon. She writes in an unfussy and literate manner that communicates her meaning very directly.
In fact Meaden has little patience with a whole series of popular myths about entrepreneurship - many of them pedalled by would-be entrepreneurs who seem to have spent more time reading how-to manuals than actually running a business. This is the first book about entrepreneurship that I've encountered that is absolutely clear about the personal qualities and commitment required, and has no truck with the comforting notions that 'anyone can do it' or that hard work alone will inevitably result in success.
Throughout the book, Meaden illustrates her thoughts about business with examples drawn from her own experience and that of other successful entrepreneurs, as well as contestants from the programme. The main theme that emerges is that success in business is not rocket science, but a matter of knowing and following 'common sense rules' - handily gathered in an Appendix. Neglecting these rules pretty well guarantees failure - or temporary success for the wrong reasons, which leaves the business vulnerable when circumstances change.
Meaden covers a wide range of topics, bringing her gimlet eye to everything, including matters from which she admits most entrepreneurs instinctively shy away: how to make employees redundant, whether to employ family members, how and when to recognise that the moment has come to fold a business. The book also includes a detailed account of how to write a business plan that is far more realistic than most. Her description of the character of a true entrepreneur - the competitiveness, the optimism, the can-do attitude - even the vanity - is disarmingly accurate, but explains why these people must be the way they are to succeed. In fact, if a reading of this book only persuades you that you don't fit the bill, Meaden may have saved you a great deal of heartache. Recommended, particularly for anyone toying with the idea of starting their own first business.
In fact Meaden has little patience with a whole series of popular myths about entrepreneurship - many of them pedalled by would-be entrepreneurs who seem to have spent more time reading how-to manuals than actually running a business. This is the first book about entrepreneurship that I've encountered that is absolutely clear about the personal qualities and commitment required, and has no truck with the comforting notions that 'anyone can do it' or that hard work alone will inevitably result in success.
Throughout the book, Meaden illustrates her thoughts about business with examples drawn from her own experience and that of other successful entrepreneurs, as well as contestants from the programme. The main theme that emerges is that success in business is not rocket science, but a matter of knowing and following 'common sense rules' - handily gathered in an Appendix. Neglecting these rules pretty well guarantees failure - or temporary success for the wrong reasons, which leaves the business vulnerable when circumstances change.
Meaden covers a wide range of topics, bringing her gimlet eye to everything, including matters from which she admits most entrepreneurs instinctively shy away: how to make employees redundant, whether to employ family members, how and when to recognise that the moment has come to fold a business. The book also includes a detailed account of how to write a business plan that is far more realistic than most. Her description of the character of a true entrepreneur - the competitiveness, the optimism, the can-do attitude - even the vanity - is disarmingly accurate, but explains why these people must be the way they are to succeed. In fact, if a reading of this book only persuades you that you don't fit the bill, Meaden may have saved you a great deal of heartache. Recommended, particularly for anyone toying with the idea of starting their own first business.
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By Booksmith
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've read all the books that the Dragons have produced to date. They all have something to offer but this is by far the best of them all. Very readable style with lots of good practical advice. Recommended!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By M. R. Taylor
Format:Hardcover
Fantastic book, the title says it all. Full of good sense and lots of ideas for business novices and the experienced. Makes you look at practices and ideas with a fresh eye. A very good read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
common sense rules what you really need to know about business
This is a super book no nonsense straightforward advice that not only applies to business , but can actually help with aspects of every day life too, written in nice easy to read... Read more
Published 16 days ago by MS PINK FLUFF
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Well worth a read for anyone considering going into business or for anyone who needs a little inspiration. Great value too.
Published 1 month ago by The Fashion House
1.0 out of 5 stars
Snooze
There is absolutely nothing in this book that you could not find on a top ten business set up list from Google. Furthermore it is dry, dull and shamelessly self promoting.
Published 3 months ago by Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
You have to buy so many books at GCSE level and AS level so buying secondhand benefits your purse, the planet and the student! Would recommend to all year 9-13 pupils and parents.
Published 4 months ago by Anne
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read for aspiring business owners...
Deborah Meaden writes directly and honestly about her experiences in business. It's an easy read and well worth spending a few hours digesting and thinking about what Deborah has... Read more
Published 4 months ago by TobyToby
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very dry
I thought this was a biography but it clearly isn't. I haven't finished it 'cos I don't need business advice.
Published 5 months ago by SueCrofts
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ok book by a neat woman... but I struggled to finish
After reading Alan Sugar's What You See is What You Get, I picked up this book to see what a dragon - and a successful business woman - had to say. Was disappointed. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Deborah T
3.0 out of 5 stars
Takes a while to get going
I found the book very slow in getting to the point, hence the 3 star rating.it may suit some people but not me, so did not finish the read...
Published 6 months ago by Iq3man
1.0 out of 5 stars
Suppose it was to be expected
I Me Myself. All the way through. Very disappointed with this book. Doesn't give the information claimed but merely delivers a written rambling about life on Dragons Den. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sunnydays
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not great
A little disappointed with this book, not as inspirational as I thought it would be so far! Overall ok, unfortunately for me I didn't get past the first two chapters as it didn't... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Miss. A
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