Finance on a Beermat [Paperback]

"'Mike Southon and Chris West helped entrepreneurs with The Beermat Entrepreneur and corporate types with The Boardroom Entrepreneur. And now they're here to help you and me.' Stephen Fry 'I recommend this entertaining and thoughtful book to all management eager to make a difference to their companies and to the world around them' Sir John Rose, CEO, Rolls Royce 'Mike Southon and Chris West helped entrepreneurs with The Beermat Entrepreneur and corporate types with The Boardroom Entrepreneur. And now they're here to help you and me....' Stephen Fry 'A truly practical guide for everyone' Michael Hartig, Corporate Director, Larger Business, Barclays Bank"

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

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 Mike Southon and Chris West, the Beermat Entrepreneurs, 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 minimise risk while maximising 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 / SME sector.

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

'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

'I love the Beermat series because they are the only guides written for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs who have already been through what I face every day. Finance on a Beermat is no different and in my opinion is the best of the series so far. Brilliant!'

Richard Dennys, Managing Director, BrilliantWeekends.co.uk

'If you want to get someone to invest in your business, read this book'

David Beer CA, Chairman and Founder, Beer and Partners

Jointly written by Mike Southon and Chris West, the Beermat Entrepreneurs, and two experienced finance directors, Stephen King and Jeff Macklin, Finance on a Beermat demystifies all aspects of finance for start-ups and SMEs: accounts, management information, planning, cash control, funding. It takes you from the basics of the 'P & L' and balance sheet to the psychology of selling a business - and does so in plain English. Finance on a Beermat a practical, hands-on book for entrepreneurs, owner-managers and anyone keen to understand the essential role of accountancy and finance in modern business success.

'My eyes glaze over at the very mention of financial matters, so I'm extremely happy that Mike, Chris, Steve and Jeff have written this book for me and anyone else who gets scared at the very mention of money'

Dan Germain, Co-Founder, innocent drinks

'The finance function isn't just a "rear-view mirror", but an essential tool for the ambitious business. Here's a book that really understands this, and explains in jargon-free English how to get the best from it'

Paul Walker, Chief Executive, The Sage Group plc

Mike Southon is a serially successful entrepreneur. He co-founded a consultancy in 1984, and sold it five years later to what is now Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. He is an active independent consultant, and has been a keynote speaker at conferences all over the world for Microsoft, IBM, Novell, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and many others.

Chris West is a writer and journalist. He also works in PR and Marketing, and is currently involved in his own start-up enterprise.