The Start-up Survival Guide
The Start-Up Survival Guide - Advice that should be at least read if nothing else for those hoping to run their own business.
Author: Chris Lilly
ISBN: 0273708325
Having been harbouring thoughts of running my own business for a while now, I thought reading this book may give me a couple of pointers, but I expected to have to get through a lot of drivel to get to the golden nuggets of information, thankfully that was not the case with this book. Even before the introduction, there is a list of top 10 survival tips for starting your own business.
When you first read the book it is quite scary; it really hammers the points home about what will make your business sink or swim, no matter if you’re wanting to set up a small ‘nic nac’ shop or you’re the next Richard Branson, but it doesn’t do it in the ‘you should not be doing this’ way, it is more of a honest and frank discussion, the sort you would hope to get from a Aunt or an Uncle who has done it all already!
Each chapter can be read as a book or you can easily just dip into the chapters as a reference book. At the end of each chapter there is a useful summary page to ensure you have got the most important bits, and these are also useful as a reference to check things against. The only slight downside is that it would be nice to have some real examples or case studies, but that is a very minor point when you see how easy it is to apply what is written in the book to your own examples in the world today.
The biggest thing is that the author, Chris Lilly, really wants you to succeed, it is evident throughout the book. He is quite blunt in telling you that it really boils down to cash. No matter how good your intentions or whatever, if you don’t have any cash then you haven’t got a business, and he also tries to get you to remember why you’re doing it and not to forget those around you, which I think is a very good point.
In conclusion, this is not just another self help book; it is a book that is jam packed with advice that should be at least read if nothing else. There is something for everyone, no matter what size business you’re planning, and I would even think there is stuff there for people who currently own their own business who are looking to scale up their enterprise or branch out. Finally it is a good read for business in general; the realities that are presented in this book are applicable to any business, no matter what the size and thus can be a useful reference for anyone looking at any form of management.
After reading this book, will I start up my business? Well, we will have to wait and see, but at least now I have a plan of what is required so watch this space!!Reviewer: Barry Kirby MIET
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