Running a business is never easy. More often than not it’s a roller-coaster ride through a range of hazards and difficulties. But one thing is for sure: life will rarely, if ever, be dull. This book has one single purpose – to help you build a better business.

Here you will find a wide-ranging resource of valuable information for anyone involved in running a business, wherever they are on the roller-coaster. This book contains not only basic information that is all too often overlooked when we are busy taking care of business, but also useful insights into just about every area of business management.

I have written this book in what I feel is an easy-to-understand manner. It is based on the advice I’ve been giving through the Business Link network over a number of years and follows those frequently asked questions that business managers throw up, together with advice gathered from some of the leading lights in the business community.

But if there’s one piece of advice I feel it’s necessary to give to would-be business owners and entrepreneurs it’s that you must enjoy it. If you’re not enjoying running your business you can’t expect to do it well. More often than not the high points on the ride will more than compensate for the lows as the excitement of reaching a goal brings a surge of adrenalin which drives us all forward.

There are many people who have in some way contributed to this book, not least of all the many well-known business people who have kindly given me their time. Kate Santon, in editing it, has put it into a format of easy-to-follow sections for which I’m tremendously grateful; her patience in dealing with a writer/journo whose attitude to deadlines is to work right up to them could not go without mention and thanks. Nikki Read at How To Books can’t be allowed to escape. She has been guilty of constantly encouraging me with ideas over a number of years and has always provided a listening ear, which has finally led to this book appearing. Thank you, Nikki.

But after twenty years on that roller-coaster of business life I couldn’t fail to mention my silent co-producer, my wife Jackie. She has been there through all those ups and downs. But more importantly, for twenty years and more she has encouraged the writer in me. Without her love and support this book wouldn’t have been written.

I hope that as you read this resource book you will find it useful and valuable in helping you to build a better business.

Author: What does it take to succeed in business today?