Identifying and attracting the right kind of investor can be a difficult process. Venture Capital Funding gives a step-by-step guide for small and medium-sized businesses to obtain venture capital – from building a management team through the maze of due diligence procedures.

Though the book is firmly rooted in UK and EU practice, US entrepreneurs will nonetheless find the discussion of the nuts and bolts of venture capital of interest. The practicalities of competing for, and winning, additional capital are broken down into key areas, such as: the significance of the business plan, types of investor, targeting and attracting a funder, negotiation and initial valuations, the due diligence process, and the available investment vehicles. It also explores the many reasons why companies seek out additional funding, and discusses the points in the business life cycle when such injections are appropriate.

- Amazon.com Review

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“…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

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Personal account of a versatile entrepreneur. on film, dance festivals, retailing in the changing context of Indian consumerism. lots of useful information on the Indian way of business and contemporary Indian culture.

This is one of my favorite book as I am very keen on understanding Retail Business. The author writes his journey from Patloon to Panatloons & how he started and expanded his retail business. The Story of Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, Central and the Great Indian Consumer.

There are some nice pointers in the book, about business, about making decisions, about making mistakes and above all about holding on to your principles.Some of them are:-

- once you are in business, take no shit and give no shit.

- Allow your employees to make mistake. The only way to learn a business is by making mistakes, by destroying capital that you built after countless number of sleepless nights. The pinch will make you do it allover again with greater agility and determination.

- Once you have made a mistake, accept it and get out of it fast. Don’t put bad money after good money.

- The deciding factor between winning and losing is “understanding of the customer”.

- Treat people who work with you with respect

- Get out of your bloody shell of hubris and start learning things. then unlearn them to relearn new things. Thats actually how you stay on top.

Must read for every Entrepreneurs venturing into retail business.

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From Publishers Weekly
Unabashedly inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s bestselling The Tipping Point, the brothers Heath—Chip a professor at Stanford’s business school, Dan a teacher and textbook publisher—offer an entertaining, practical guide to effective communication. Drawing extensively on psychosocial studies on memory, emotion and motivation, their study is couched in terms of “stickiness”—that is, the art of making ideas unforgettable. They start by relating the gruesome urban legend about a man who succumbs to a barroom flirtation only to wake up in a tub of ice, victim of an organ-harvesting ring. What makes such stories memorable and ensures their spread around the globe? The authors credit six key principles: simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions and stories. (The initial letters spell out “success”—well, almost.) They illustrate these principles with a host of stories, some familiar (Kennedy’s stirring call to “land a man on the moon and return him safely to the earth” within a decade) and others very funny (Nora Ephron’s anecdote of how her high school journalism teacher used a simple, embarrassing trick to teach her how not to “bury the lead”). Throughout the book, sidebars show how bland messages can be made intriguing. Fun to read and solidly researched, this book deserves a wide readership. (Jan. 16)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School—While at first glance this volume might resemble the latest in a series of trendy business advice books, ultimately it is about storytelling, and it is a how-to for crafting a compelling narrative. Employing a lighthearted tone, the Heaths apply those selfsame techniques to create an enjoyable read. They analyze such narratives as urban legends and advertisements to discover what makes them memorable. The authors provide a simple mnemonic to remember their stickiness formula, and the basic principles may be applied in any situation where persuasiveness is an asset. The book is a fast read peppered with exercises to test the techniques proposed. Some examples act as pop quizzes and engage readers in moments of self-reflection. The book draws on examples from teachers, scientists, and soldiers who have been successful at crafting memorable ideas, from the well-known blue eye/brown eye exercise conducted by an Iowa elementary school teacher as an experiential lesson in prejudice following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., to conversations among Xerox repairmen. Readers who enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink (2005) and The Tipping Point (2000, both Little, Brown) will appreciate this clever take on contemporary culture.—Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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“C.K. Prahalad argues that companies must revolutionize how they do business in developing countries if both sides of that economic equation are to prosper. Drawing on a wealth of case studies, his compelling new book offers an intriguing blueprint for how to fight poverty with profitability.” –Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft (2004) An idea can change the world…*How to serve the world’s poorest people and make a profit *New strategies and tactics for building winning businesses in today’s emerging markets *New bottom of the pyramid trends in technology, healthcare, consumer goods, finance, and beyond*Insights from top CEOs succeeding in emerging markets*New and updated case studies–from Jaipur Rugs’ revolutionary supply chain to Reuters’ data services for farmers Five years ago, C.K. Prahalad’s The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid showed companies how they could reignite profits and growth by serving the world’s five billion poorest people. Hundreds of firms have successfully taken that path–building large, profitable businesses that are reducing poverty and eliminating human misery at the same time. Now, Prahalad has updated his extraordinary book to reflect the lessons of the past five years: business-building strategies, techniques, and innovations proven to work in emerging markets. The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid: doing well by doing good or doing good by doing well! Inspired by C.K. Prahalad’s breakthrough insights in the original edition of The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, a wide variety of firms are identifying, building, and profiting from new markets among the world’s poorest people–while at the same time helping eliminate poverty and human misery. Five years after this book’s first publication, Prahalad’s ideas are no longer isolated instances of innovations. They are proven, widely practiced “reality.” In this 5th Anniversary Edition, Prahalad updates his book to give readers a picture of how this idea is being implemented in poor regions around the world. Prahalad also offers an up-to-the-minute assessment of key questions such as: Is there truly a market? Is there scale? Is there profit? Is there innovation? Is this a global opportunity? Five years ago, executives could be hopeful that the answers to these questions would be positive. Now, as Prahalad demonstrates, they can be certain of it. *Solving the unique problems faced by bottom of pyramid customers How to make a profit by helping people escape poverty and misery*Breakthrough forms of innovation for emerging markets From rugs to cellphones, finance to energy, supply chains to state-of-the-art technology*Building new ecosystems for wealth creation You can’t do it alone–but you can do it together*Scaling up to impact the enterprise–and society Beyond “micro-businesses”.

“The Bottom of the Pyramid belongs at the top of the reading list for business people, academics, and experts pursuing the elusive goal of sustainable growth in the developing world. C. K. Prahalad writes with uncommon insight about consumer needs in poor societies and opportunities for the private sector to serve important public purposes while enhancing its own bottom line. If you are looking for fresh thinking about emerging markets, your search is ended. This is the book for you.”
– Madeleine K. Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State

- Amazon.com Review

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What does it take to turn ideas into action? What are the elements of a perfect pitch? How do you win the war for talent? How do you establish a brand without bucks? These are some of the issues everyone faces when starting or revitalizing any undertaking, and Guy Kawasaki, former marketing maven of Apple Computer, provides the answers.
The Art of the Start will give you the essential steps to launch great products, services, and companies—whether you are dreaming of starting the next Microsoft or a not-for-profit that’s going to change the world. It also shows managers how to unleash entrepreneurial thinking at established companies, helping them foster the pluck and creativity that their businesses need to stay ahead of the pack. Kawasaki provides readers with GIST—Great Ideas for Starting Things—including his field-tested insider’s techniques for bootstrapping, branding, networking, recruiting, pitching, rainmaking, and, most important in this fickle consumer climate, building buzz.

At Apple, Kawasaki helped turn ordinary customers into fanatics. As founder and CEO of Garage Technology Ventures, he has tested his iconoclastic ideas on real- world start- ups. And as an irrepressible columnist for Forbes, he has honed his best thinking about The Art of the Start.

From Publishers Weekly
Kawasaki (Rules for Revolutionaries) draws upon his dual background as an evangelist for Apple’s Macintosh computer and as a Silicon Valley venture capitalist in this how-to for launching any type of business project. Each chapter begins with “GIST” (“great ideas for starting things”), covering a variety of facets to consider, from identifying your customer base and writing a business plan to establishing partnerships and building brand identity. Minichapters zero in on particular jobs that will need doing, while FAQ sections address the questions readers are most likely to have: Kawasaki covers the basics in an effectively casual tone. Much of the advice, however, consists of generic banalities—start your company’s name with a letter that comes early in the alphabet, use big type in presentation slides for older businessmen with declining eyesight, and avoid writing e-mails in all capital letters—that can be found in any mediocre guide. Fortunately, Kawasaki does rise to the occasion here and there. He goes into great detail when it comes to raising capital and offers effective methods for sorting through the nonsense associated with interviewing prospective employees.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: Amazon.com

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The first two chapters is perhaps the most unique feature of this book. The first one is – When do I know I am ready. Its a carefuly crafted list of questions one should ask before starting a company. They from a critical bunch, since each one of these questions can be formulated as “top resons of why my startup may fail”.

The second chapter talks about the Profile of an Entrepreneur. By reading about and listening to many successful entrepreneurs in the past, one could draw some patterns about what makes them click. This chapter does the same, by presenting some of the must-haves of estimating whether you can make it through the rough roads of a startup.

Overall, I’d suggest this book for anyone who is in a doubt of whether to start a company.

Source: Amazon.com

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In 1968, a young man named Richard Branson began an improbable journey. From opening a tiny record store, called Virgin Records, on the second floor of a building in London, Richard went on to become the head of one of the world’s most universally recognized and respected groups of companies. The Virgin name has become a truly global brand and Richard its charismatic public face. His story is awe-inspiring, breathtaking, and often just plain fun. From airlines to mobile phones, round-the-world balloon flights to space travel, a Caribbean island and a South African game reserve, it’s clear that Richard Branson is having the time of his life. Some people say that everything Richard touches turns to gold. But the truth is, behind the fun-loving persona lies a dedicated and dynamic businessman who has sweated buckets for every dollar he’s made. He has taken his share of falls, just like all of us, and picked himself up and gotten right back into the game. And throughout it all—working, succeeding, failing, trying again—Richard Branson has indeed been having fun. He hasn’t done it all alone. He has learned from and been inspired by many remarkable people, from politicians, scientists, writers, and co-workers to his own mother and father. Screw It, Let’s Do It shares some of Richard Branson’s lessons in life and business that range from good, practical advice to more esoteric inspirations—all of which have made the head of Virgin Group what he is today, including:

Just do it—Believe whatever you want to achieve can be achieved.
Have fun—Have a positive outlook, and when something stops being fun, move on.
Be innovative—The system is not sacred:Think creatively.
Have sex appeal—Create excitement in everything you do.
Do some good—Change the world, even in a small way.

It’s hard to read about his journey and not catch his motivational bug and zest for life—to act positively, to change for the better and join him in his enthusiastic and life-affirming visions for the world. Screw It, Let’s Do It also presents Branson’s vision for the future, a future in which we each fully embrace the responsibility to do no harm to our environment, to hold our hands out to those in need, to work in unity for the great and pressing concerns of our time. It’s up to successful companies may like Virgin to lead the way in a more socially responsible—and in fact, wholly revolutionary—approach to business.

Engaging, funny, utterly absorbing, and above all, inspiring, Screw It, Let’s Do It serves as a template for personal and business growth, a guidebook for anyone who wants to grab life by the horns and take a wonderful ride, living—as Richard Branson surely does— life to its very fullest.

About the Author
Sir Richard Branson is founder and chairman of the Virgin Group. In 2006, Branson committed all future profits of Virgin’s transportation interests to renewable energy initiatives; this commitment is expected to add up to $3 billion over the next ten years. Branson lives on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

Source: Amazon.com

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In this autobiography, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson says one of his prime business criteria is “fun.” Fun made Branson a billionaire, and few business memoirs are one-billionth as fun as Branson’s, nor as niftily written. Not only does it relate his side of near-death corporate experiences, it tells how the chairman literally cheated death by gun, shipwreck, and balloon crash.

Branson’s empire–now encompassing interests in an airline, pop music, soda pop, e-commerce, and financial services–began when the dyslexic 16-year-old dropped out of school in 1968 to found the British magazine Student. His headmaster said, “I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.” Briefly imprisoned for dodging customs selling records, Branson got his first million by releasing Tubular Bells, a maverick recording all the stuffy executives rejected. (1998′s Tubular Bells III puts the series’ sales over 20 million.)

Despite wild tales of Branson’s wife-swapping and Keith Richards fleeing naked from Branson’s studio at gunpoint with another man’s woman, the most shocking parts of the memoir concern British Airways’ James Bond-like “dirty tricks” campaign against Virgin Atlantic, resulting in the biggest award for damages in English history.

Though it’s filled with famous names, witty quotes, and pulse-pounding accounts of lunatic balloon adventures, it is as a business thriller that the book really scores. His instinctive bet-the-ranch tactics could cost him all, or earn another billion. Either way, Branson will likely remain the most entertaining entrepreneur in Europe. –Tim Appelo

Source: Amazon.com

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“The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life,” writes Malcolm Gladwell, “is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do.” Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell’s The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject.

For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a “Connector”: he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere “wasn’t just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston,” he was also a “Maven” who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day–think of how often you’ve received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you.

Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the “stickiness” of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue’s Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell’s closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that “tipping point,” like “future shock” or “chaos theory,” will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows–or at least knows by name.
–Ron Hogan

From Publishers Weekly
The premise of this facile piece of pop sociology has built-in appeal: little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or “tipping point” is reached, changing the world. Gladwell’s thesis that ideas, products, messages and behaviors “spread just like viruses do” remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of “word-of-mouth epidemics” triggered with the help of three pivotal types. These are Connectors, sociable personalities who bring people together; Mavens, who like to pass along knowledge; and Salesmen, adept at persuading the unenlightened. (Paul Revere, for example, was a Maven and a Connector). Gladwell’s applications of his “tipping point” concept to current phenomena–such as the drop in violent crime in New York, the rebirth of Hush Puppies suede shoes as a suburban mall favorite, teenage suicide patterns and the efficiency of small work units–may arouse controversy. For example, many parents may be alarmed at his advice on drugs: since teenagers’ experimentation with drugs, including cocaine, seldom leads to hardcore use, he contends, “We have to stop fighting this kind of experimentation. We have to accept it and even embrace it.” While it offers a smorgasbord of intriguing snippets summarizing research on topics such as conversational patterns, infants’ crib talk, judging other people’s character, cheating habits in schoolchildren, memory sharing among families or couples, and the dehumanizing effects of prisons, this volume betrays its roots as a series of articles for the New Yorker, where Gladwell is a staff writer: his trendy material feels bloated and insubstantial in book form. Agent, Tina Bennett of Janklow & Nesbit. Major ad/promo. (Mar.)

Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Source: Amazon.com

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