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HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers (HBR Guide Series)
£12.20
DON’T LET YOUR FEAR OF FINANCE GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SUCCESS
Can you prepare a breakeven analysis? Do you know the difference between an income statement and a balance sheet? Or understand why a business that’s profitable can still go belly-up? Has your grasp of your company’s numbers helped―or hurt―your career?
Whether you’re new to finance or you just need a refresher, this go-to guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to master the fundamentals, as all good managers must.
The HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers will help you:
- Learn the language of finance
- Compare your firm’s financials with rivals’
- Shift your team’s focus from revenues to profits
- Assess your vulnerability to industry downturns
- Use financial data to defend budget requests
- Invest smartly through cost/benefit analysis
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Harvard Business Review Press (2 Oct. 2012) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1422187306 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1422187302 |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 1.91 x 22.86 cm |
by Robert Morris
This is one of the first volumes in a new series of anthologies of articles previously published in Harvard Business Review, in this instance ten of them, in which their authors share their insights concerning a major business subject, in this instance explaining basics for managers.
As is also true of volumes in other such series, notably HBR Essentials, HBR Must Reads, and HBR Management Tips, HBR Guides offer great value in several ways. Here are two: Cutting-edge thinking from 25-30 sources in a single volume at a price (about $12.50 from Amazon in the bound version) for a fraction of what article reprints would cost.
The material was selected to help those who read this book improve in areas that becoming fluent in the language of finance and economics, comparing/contrasting one’s firm’s financials with those of the competition, sizing up vulnerability to industry downturns, shifting focus from revenues to profits, using financial data to justify budget requests, avoid running out if cash (and going out of business), preventing costs from “killing” the bottom live, investing shrewdly according to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, “selling” a brilliant idea with its ROI, and avoid excessive faith in the numbers, whatever they may be.
The material in this volume is organized within three sections. All of it is of outstanding quality and value and some of it is of special interest to me, as indicated:
Section 1, Finance Basics: Don’t Be Afraid
Of Special Interest: “The Fundamental Laws of Business” (Pages 33-39)
How to get a grip on any company, regardless of size or location David Stauffer
Section 2, Making Good Decisions – and Moving the Numbers
Of Special Interest: “Working Your Assets to Boost Your Growth” (Pages 63-71)
Focus your supply chain on customers’ needs — and increase your return on invested capital
Miles Cook, Pratap Mukharji, Lorenz Kiefer, and Marco Petruzzi
Section 3, The Limits of Financial Data
Of Special Interest: “The Five Traps of Performance Measurement” (Pages 139-151)
What they are — and how to steer clear of them
Andrew Likierman
Readers will also appreciate the provision of a before-and-after “Finance Quiz” with correct answers provided (Pages 5-8 and then Pages 153-157). My guess (only a guess) is that the material of greatest value to non-finance managers is provided in Section 1.
by Rodolphe Ibaressongo
item received with many thanks
by NoniTait
Gives you all the key tools for a good understanding of finance and dusts away the myths. It also reassures you that most struggle with the basics – so you’re not alone! The only weakness – US terminology.
by Ellie
Delivery on time great condition
by Gil Silva
Useful to start learning
by Amazon Kunde
Excellent
by Kelly B.
Good