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The New Business Road Test: What Entrepeneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan [Paperback]

John Mullins
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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The New Business Road Test: What Entrepreneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan The New Business Road Test: What Entrepreneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan 4.7 out of 5 stars (6)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall; 1 edition (8 May 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0273663569
  • ISBN-13: 978-0273663560
  • Product Dimensions: 23.5 x 15.5 x 1.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 446,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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John W. Mullins
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Product Description

Review

"...shows how to road test ideas and opportunities before writing a business plan and improve the chances of winning both customers and capital" Business Monthly, July 03

"...does provide a reality check for anyone poised to jump into a new venture without thinking. Readers will enjoy discovering the nuggets of wisdom embedded in the case studies." Financial Times, July 03

"The New Business Road Test

is a great read: thought-provoking, and not 'business-lite' like so much entrepreneurial advice. It's also digestible for a manager in the thick of things, something many books overlook. The questions John Mullins asks are relevant to new ventures and existing businesses looking to move forward, and this book will help you do just that. "   Max Aitken Chief Executive, Ratio One

Product Description

So you have a business idea. How can you assess whether it will work? Whether it is worth backing by investors, and worth backing with your future?   

The New Business Road Test

shows you how to test your idea before writing your business plan. It will help you to make sure that the business you build is based on a winning idea, enabling you to invest your time wisley and pitch to investors and customers with confidence.

Building on lessons learned by studying numerous entrepreneurs and investors, John Mullins sets out a practical framework for evaluating new business ideas. The book identifies seven domains for the assessment of any market opportunity and guides you through how to test and improve your idea. Above all, it will help you to answer the essential question of whether your idea is worth a business plan and worthy of a successful eneterprise.

No budding entrepreneur should leave the day-job or face an investor without having read this book.

"The New Business Road Test is a great read: thought-provoking, and not 'business-lite' like so much entrepreneurial advice. It's also digestible for a manager in the thick of things, something many books overlook. The questions John Mullins asks are relevant to new ventures and existing businesses looking to move forward, and this book will help you do just that. "   Max Aitken Chief Executive, Ratio One


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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
5 star:
 (21)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Got a business idea? Read this book NOW..., 20 Aug 2003
By 
Matt (London, London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The New Business Road Test: What Entrepeneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan (Paperback)
I fully recommend this book to anyone serious about investing time and/or money in a new business. It lays out a method for developing a thorough understanding of any concept, its market and its industry... but more than that... "The New Business Road Test" helps gauge how to give a new business the very best chance of success.

I first met John Mullins a year ago on the Entrepreneurship Summer School at London Business School. As the course's architect and lead tutor, he helped me bring to bear the "7-Domains" framework on what I thought was a winning concept. Were it not for his teaching, I may well have made a huge mistake. As it was, he helped me understand in advance the difficulties I would likely be faced with, and more importantly, his coaching helped me identify a far more achievable opportunity.

The book is thorough but at the same time an easy read. That's not to say answering the questions raised about a new venture is easy. It isn't. But John's messages are always thoughtful and resoundingly practical. He has a great ability to present complex interrelated issues in a logical way, which speaks to his many years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience. Buy the book- it's great. I use it all the time.

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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A grief saving reality check, 19 May 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The New Business Road Test: What Entrepeneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan (Paperback)
I had already written my business plan before reading this book - what a waste of time. It was quite embarrassing to re-read it after reading Mullin's book. It was all about my product without thinking about the market I'd be operating in and the industry I'd be competing in. It actually said, "there is no competition". As Mullin's points out - there's no such thing as no competition - and if there really isn't any there will be soon - so what are you going to do to stay ahead. Fortunately I think I've managed to tweak my idea in light of what the book recommends, and also I've realised that I don't have all the skills needed to make it work - and found someone to employ who can fill the skills gap (there's a really good chapter about making sure management team - i.e. me - is well connected within the industry, with suppliers etc - time to get out and network). The book hasn't made me a millionaire yet but my business has a lot better chance of surviving than it would have if I hadn't read this book. The best twenty odd quid I've spent on my business.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, easy-to-read, sound advice, 23 July 2003
This review is from: The New Business Road Test: What Entrepeneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan (Paperback)
Mullins has been nominated for, and won, several prestigious teaching awards for many reasons – one of them is empathy. He can deliver a clear message by communicating at his audience’s level better than almost anyone. This skill is incorporated into this book really well. The New Business Road Test is a very readable and practical guide targeted primarily at entrepreneurs or anyone considering a new opportunity – whether they be students, entrepreneurs, middle managers, housewives or executives. All would benefit from the research and underlying principles in this book. And Mullins is not just a sit-behind-a-desk kind of guy… he’s been out there and done it himself.

Ever wonder why so many startups fail? One nice take-away for me was drawing a distinction between two very misused words: “market” and “industry”. They are definitely not the same and this book teaches you to examine each clearly and separately, which immense benefits. Many businesses fail because they only identify a great MARKET but it’s in a lousy industry – or vice versa (internet startups ring a bell?). And what about the person or people who will form the management team? The book will guide you to critically assess the team from several perspectives – most which will be new to most people.

Each chapter in the book concludes with a checklist of practical questions to ask yourself if you’re considering a new venture. The chapters are littered with practical quotations and real-world examples from many sources – including several mini case studies.

If you’re worried or intimidated about writing a business plan, don’t be. I would recommend reading this book and following the underlying principals contained within it. If anything, this book will give you a lot more confidence and a solid understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your potential business plan, should you decide your idea is worth continuing to write about. I can find no weaknesses, give it a 10 out of 10, and would recommend it to my mother!

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