If you are starting or selling your own business, or wanting to expand your company, business plans are essential. Get expert guidance on how to make an impact with your business plan and successfully communicate your strategic vision. Whether it is to raise finance, sell a business or develop a specific project, this is your one-stop guide to producing the most professional and convincing business plan for a new venture. This 7th edition now features even more practical exercises, useful templates and top tips to help you write a comprehensive and compelling plan, as well as content on digital developments such as crowdfunding, online retailing and digital marketing. The Creating Success series of books... Unlock vital skills, power up your performance and get ahead with the bestselling Creating Success series. Written by experts for new and aspiring managers and leaders, this million-selling collection of accessible and empowering guides will get you up to speed in no time. Packed with clever thinking, smart advice and the kind of winning techniques that really get results, you'll make fast progress, quickly reach your goals and create lasting success in your career.

A new book to help senior executives and boards get smart about risk management The ability of businesses to survive and thrive often requires unconventional thinking and calculated risk taking. The key is to make the right decisions-even under the most risky, uncertain, and turbulent conditions. In the new book, Surviving and Thriving in Uncertainty: Creating the Risk Intelligent Enterprise, authors Rick Funston and Steve Wagner suggest that effective risk taking is needed in order to innovate, stay competitive, and drive value creation. Based on their combined decades of experience as practitioners, consultants, and advisors to numerous business professionals throughout the world, Funston and Wagner discuss the adoption of 10 essential and practical skills, which will improve agility, resilience, and realize benefits: Challenging basic business assumptions can help identify "Black Swans" and provide first-mover advantage Defining the corporate risk appetite and risk tolerances can help reduce the risk of ruin. Anticipating potential causes of failure can improve chances of survival and success through improved preparedness. Factoring in velocity and momentum can improve speed of response and recovery. Verifying sources and the reliability of information can improve insights for decision making and thus decision quality. Taking a longer-term perspective can aid in identifying the potential unintended consequences of short-term decisions.

An essential guide to business valuation and bankruptcy

"Business Valuation and Bankruptcy" helps you-whether you are an accountant dealing with a troubled company, a lender, an investor, a bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer/financial advisor, or a private equity player-to focus on solving everyday and case determinative disputes when creditors, lenders, and debtors have differing views of value.

Introducing valuation issues early on in the restructuring/bankruptcy process so you can plan accordingly, this book offers
Many real life case examples, case descriptions, and tables to demonstrate the applicable sections of the Bankruptcy LawsA review of the methods, applications, pros and cons of restructuring with the basic tools to understanding itA description of the life cycle of a troubled company and the various stages of a restructuringAn analysis of the valuation issues that confront practitioners in the real world of application of the law

"Business Valuation and Bankruptcy" is written in terms that are common to bankruptcy professionals and is essential, timely reading for players in the bankruptcy and restructuring environment.

The economic climate, new regulations and developments both here and abroad have totally changed the face of today's mergers and acquisitions. Completely rewritten and updated, it examines realistic strategies and goals for the 1990s that must be addressed in order to achieve a successful acquisition program. Includes coverage of the post-acquisition process, chapters on restructuring financially troubled companies, and unique strategies that apply to niche acquisitions. It also features new material on international mergers, the pros and cons of partial buy-ins, cross-border alliances, financing options and covers issues (strategic, legal, financial and regulatory) that can affect a deal of any size.

A practical, accessible introduction to the evolving electric power industry

As the industry environment transforms from a completely regulated setting to a broader, deregulated marketplace, new market participants must understand planning and operations of power systems to effectively participate in markets. This industry overview provides a description of utility operations and traditional planning, and then explains asset management, investment analysis, and risk management within the context of a market environment. Written to provide a broad, working knowledge of the industry, Electric Power Planning for Regulated and Deregulated Markets:

Includes descriptions of generation and transmission network equipment

Provides an overview of the regulatory framework, system design, and systems operations for ensuring reliable delivery of power

Presents system planning across different time horizons with the objective of minimizing power production costs

Explains the principles and architecture of a market environment, coupling operational imperatives with financial transactions

Addresses approaches of various participants, including power producers, retailers, and integrated energy companies toward bidding in day ahead markets, managing risks in forward markets, portfolio development, and investment analysis

Provides numerous examples addressing cost minimization, price forecasting, contract valuation, portfolio risk measurement, and other challenges

Examines past news events and explains what went wrong at Three Mile Island, the Northeast blackout of 2003, and the California energy crisis

This is an ideal reference for professionals in the public and privatepower service sectors, including engineers, lawyers, systems specialists, economists, financial analysts, policy analysts, and applied mathematicians.

Essential guidance on the revised COSO internal controls framework

Need the latest on the new, revised COSO internal controls framework? "Executive's Guide to COSO Internal Controls" provides a step-by-step plan for installing and implementing effective internal controls with an emphasis on building improved IT as well as other internal controls and integrating better risk management processes. The COSO internal controls framework forms the basis for establishing Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and internal controls specialist Robert Moeller looks at topics including the importance of effective systems on internal controls in today's enterprises, the new COSO framework for effective enterprise internal controls, and what has changed since the 1990s internal controls framework.Written by Robert Moeller, an authority in internal controls and IT governancePractical, no-nonsense coverage of all three dimensions of the new COSO frameworkHelps you change systems and processes when implementing the new COSO internal controls frameworkIncludes information on how ISO internal control and risk management standards as well as COBIT can be used with COSO internal controlsOther titles by Robert Moeller: "IT Audit, Control, and Security, Executives Guide to IT Governance"

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, every corporation has to assert that their internal controls are adequate and public accounting firms certifying those internal controls are attesting to the adequacy of those same internal controls, based on the COSO internal controls framework. "Executive's Guide to COSO Internal Controls" thoroughly considers improved risk management processes as part of the new COSO framework; the importance of IT systems and processes; and risk management techniques.

This book examines women's financial activity from the early days of the stock market in eighteenth century England and the South Sea Bubble to the mid-twentieth century. The essays demonstrate how many women managed their own finances despite legal and social restrictions and show that women were neither helpless, incompetent and risk-averse, nor were they unduly cautious and conservative. Rather, many women learnt about money and made themselves effective and engaged managers of the funds at their disposal. The essays focus on Britain, from eighteenth-century London, to the expansion of British financial markets of the nineteenth century, with comparative essays dealing with the US, Italy, Sweden and Japan. Hitherto, writing about women and money has been restricted to their management of household finances or their activities as small business women. This book examines the clear evidence of women's active engagement in financial matters, much neglected in historical literature, especially women's management of capital. .

Managers responsible for spending public money in health and social welfare are facing unprecedented pressures to deliver better services against a background of fierce competition for resources, profound organizational change and the creation of internal market places. In this practically-directed book, William Bryans explains how business principles can be applied in the public service context to enable managers to meet this challenge. The author demonstrates how it is possible to create a surplus for service development by effective strategic management of external and internal financial environments, operational management of workloads and resources, and tactical intervention to limit budget fluctuations to tolerable levels. Each chapter includes a purpose statement, an outline of relevant theory and practice, a keypoint summary and a case study based on real world situations.

"Major gifts are at the heart of any coordinated, successful fundraising effort. Julie Walker shows you how to do it all-- find the prospects, staff the program, and ask for the money. The sidebar stories and real-world examples sprinkled throughout the book are entertaining, yet still make a point. I would buy it for the advice and keep it for the anecdotes."
--Duris Holmes, Chairman of the Board Benjamin Franklin High School New Orleans, Louisiana

Part of the AFP/Wiley Fund Development Series, Nonprofit Essentials: Major Gifts is a professional guide to major gift fundraising, concisely presented in a format that is accessible, lively, and easy-to-read. With in-depth advice from experienced fundraiser Julia Walker, this book takes the reader from the early stages of establishing a program through the core elements of all major gift programs: identifying and rating prospects; preparing the case; training volunteers; cultivating donors; making the ask; and providing recognition and stewardship for the gift. Its nuts-and-bolts presentation focuses on how to create a prospect-centered program that develops the capacity to engage and solicit donors, effectively based on their unique interests and needs.

The Oxford Handbook of Pensions and Retirement Income is the only comprehensive review available of the latest research, policy-related tools, analytical methods and techniques, and major theoretical frameworks and principles of pension and retirement income. Featuring over forty contributions from leading academic and professional experts, the handbook draws on research from a range of academic disciplines to reflect on the implications for current and future provision of pension and retirement income of demographic ageing, the changing financial circumstances of nation states, and globalization. An indispensable desk reference for researchers and practitioners in the area, it is also essential for policymakers and those with broad interests which include this very important area. Contributors: William C. Apgar, Camila Arza, Anthony Asher, Vickie L. Bajtelsmit, Armando Barrientos, Rob Bauer, Gary Burtless, John Y. Campbell, Gordon L. Clark, Adam Creighton, E Philip Davis, Johan J. De Deken, Zhu Xiao Di, Richard Disney, Bernhard Ebbinghaus, Robin Ellison, Ewald Engelen, Gosta Esping-Andersen, Teresa Ghilarducci, Tryggvi Thor Herbertsson, Roy P.M.M. Hoevenaars, Tony Hope, Yu-Wei Hu, Paul Johnson, Andre Laboul, Florence Legros, David McCarthy, Warren McGillivray, Carmelo Mesa-Lago, Marilyn Moon, Alicia H. Munnell, John Myles, David Neumark, Naohiro Ogawa, J. Michael Orszag, Hanam S. Phang, John Piggott, Eduard Ponds, James Poterba, Neha Sand, Steven Sass, Julian Savulescu, Tom B.M. Steenkamp, Annika Sunden, Noriyuki Takayama, Patricia Thane, Ian Tonks, Bart van Riel, Steven F. Venti, Luis M. Viceira, Noel Whiteside, Geoffrey Whittington, David A. Wise, and Juan Yermo.

In recent years, concerns over the effectiveness of public administration have encouraged the widespread measurement and management of 'performance'. But is performance management an appropriate model for public sector organizations, and has it proved successful? Moreover, how do the principles of performance management affect how public bodies operate, and the way they relate to the wider community? In this important text, the viability of performance management in public sector organizations is systematically assessed across a number of international case studies. The book provides a framework through which models of performance management can be understood in terms of both their impact within a public sector organization, and the effects that have been seen in countries with contrasting administrational contexts. Managing Performance - International Comparisons critically examines the effects of performance management models in the public sector, and assesses their future evolution. It is an important book for all students and researchers with an interest in management, public administration and public policy.

In recent years, concerns over the effectiveness of public administration have encouraged the widespread measurement and management of 'performance'. But is performance management an appropriate model for public sector organizations, and has it proved successful? Moreover, how do the principles of performance management affect how public bodies operate, and the way they relate to the wider community?

In this important text, the viability of performance management in public sector organizations is systematically assessed across a number of international case studies. The book provides a framework through which models of performance management can be understood in terms of both their impact within a public sector organization, and the effects that have been seen in countries with contrasting administrational contexts.

Managing Performance - International Comparisons critically examines the effects of performance management models in the public sector, and assesses their future evolution. It is an important book for all students and researchers with an interest in management, public administration and public policy.

The new edition of Business Analysis and Valuation builds on the strong success of the first IFRS edition, providing students with the knowledge of how to use financial statement information to assess a firm's financial performance, value, and creditworthiness. The text is primarily aimed at Masters and upper-level undergraduate programs in business and builds a bridge between accounting and finance, therefore making it accessible to both finance and accounting students. The distinctive strengths of this text include a large number of real-world cases used to illustrate theory; the step-by-step analysis methodology, and the extensive discussion of strategy analysis. The presentation of material is based on business analysis before financial analysis, which ensures that financial analysis is approached in a real-world manner and is driven by strategy. The pedagogy is geared toward helping students to develop strong practical skills using current applications and supported by the extra interactive material on the companion website.

The remarkable growth of financial markets over the past decades has been accompanied by an equally remarkable explosion in financial engineering, the interdisciplinary field focusing on applications of mathematical and statistical modeling and computational technology to problems in the financial services industry. The goals of financial engineering research are to develop empirically realistic stochastic models describing dynamics of financial risk variables, such as asset prices, foreign exchange rates, and interest rates, and to develop analytical, computational and statistical methods and tools to implement the models and employ them to design and evaluate financial products and processes to manage risk and to meet financial goals. This handbook describes the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field in the areas of modeling and pricing financial derivatives, building models of interest rates and credit risk, pricing and hedging in incomplete markets, risk management, and portfolio optimization. Leading researchers in each of these areas provide their perspective on the state of the art in terms of analysis, computation, and practical relevance. The authors describe essential results to date, fundamental methods and tools, as well as new views of the existing literature, opportunities, and challenges for future research.

A corporate manager typically oversees several ongoing projects and has the opportunity to invest in new projects that add wealth to the stockholders. Such new projects include expanding the corporation's existing business, entering into a new line of business, acquiring another business, and so on. If the firm does not have sufficient internal capital (cash) to finance the initial investment, the manager must enter into a transaction with outside investors to raise additional funds.In this situation, the manager of a public corporation faces two key decisions:Modern corporate finance theory, originating with the seminal work of Merton Miller and Franco Modigliani, has demonstrated that these decisions depend on the information that the manager and investors have about the firm's future cash flows.In this book, the authors examine these decisions by assuming that the manager has private information about the firm's future cash flows. They provide a unified framework that yields new theoretical insights and explains many empirical anomalies documented in the literature.

Planning and Budgeting is one of the hottest topics in accounting; global spending on budgeting software is booming and is predicted to continue to grow throughout this decade. It's big business.
This book focuses on 'Driver-Based' budgeting (ie using external and internal non-financial drivers to predict live item expenses). The book shows the benefits that Driver-Based Budgeting brings and as such is a 'tool kit for change'. Case studies and worked examples are used throughout to ensure understanding, as well as checklists on implementation issues.
Transform the process of implementing new budgeting software with Driver-Based Budgeting
Shows how organisations can slash the time and cost involved in preparing their annual budget
Accountants learn how to manage uncertainty and quickly assess the impact of both internal and external changes

Student-friendly and international in scope and relevance, this book provides an accessible introduction to the economics of small business for those with little knowledge of economics.

Economics, alongside other disciplines and interacting with them, has some important insights to offer and it is in this context that The Economics of Small Firms examines the formation, survival, growth and financing of small businesses, spatial variations in business formation, the economic role of small businesses, and key policy issues.

This informative text is an essential purchase for anybody studying business and management who is eager for an easy-to-use and engaging overview of economics, entrepreneurship and small business.

Trade finance is of great importance in the commercial world, for both students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and practitioners. The choice of countries in export trade is often perception-based: trade with government departments or public institutions is seen as much safer than with private entities and the choice of countries is often based on that perception of risk.

This book:

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• addresses issues and topics which are relevant to all jurisdictions in the world
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• explains the various types of trade finance, how they may be raised and the legal issues pertaining to them
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Value for those wanting to understand the legal issues of sources of trade finance in both the developed and developing countries, this book will interest students studying the interaction between law and commerce.

Student-friendly and international in scope and relevance, this book provides an accessible introduction to the economics of small business for those with little knowledge of economics.

Economics, alongside other disciplines and interacting with them, has some important insights to offer and it is in this context that The Economics of Small Firms examines the formation, survival, growth and financing of small businesses, spatial variations in business formation, the economic role of small businesses, and key policy issues.

This informative text is an essential purchase for anybody studying business and management who is eager for an easy-to-use and engaging overview of economics, entrepreneurship and small business.

The authoritative resource for understanding and practicing valuation of both common fixed income investment vehicles and complex derivative instruments-now updated to cover valuing interest rate caps and floors.

This topical and timely book presents and innovative approach to dealing with the complexities of cost planning in PFI. PFI/PPP projects have a significantly different costing environment from conventionally procured projects, requiring cost analysts to use their expertise and innovative thinking to develop whole-life cost solutions that deliver value for money to the client, thus improving public building assets performance. Abdelhalim Boussabaine provides a thorough grounding in the theory of PFI, from its early evolution through to examples of current projects. In particular, the rationale for private financing of public services, arguments for and against PFI and 'value for money' mechanisms are discussed. The book presents an innovative framework for whole-life value and calls for changes in the way whole life cycle value is perceived, created and exchanged. Cost Planning of PFI and PPP Building Projects provides the reader with existing knowledge as well as present innovative thinking for future development and management of PFI/PPP cost planning processes. Given the importance and novelty of this book, academics, professionals, undergraduate and postgraduate students will find this book valuable.

Most entrepreneurs interested in buying a business naturally assume they need large amounts of cash to work a deal. In fact, there are other ways to fund an entrepreneurial venture, particularly through seller financing. This simple, straightforward guide covers every possible source of financing available for wannabe business owners, how to deal with sellers, and how to use asset financing, selling equity, and asset protection. "Buy Your Own Business with Other People's Money" shows that you don't have to be rich to buy a business; you just need to be creative in financing your new business. For everyone who dreams of owning a business one day, this book has the answers.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to accounting and finance, and is used on a variety of courses including BTEC Higher National, undergraduate degree, RSA and LCCI. In the fourth edition there have been significant changes to the structure and content to reflect the requirements of the new BTEC Higher National in Business and Finance. New material has been included on the use of spreadsheets, and updated information on recent developments in financial and management accounting. In response to feedback from lecturers, answers to multiple-choice questions and other selected questions have now been included at the back of the book.

This indispensable resource explains principles of financial planning and financial psychology to help teens and young adults make good financial decisions now and achieve their financial goals. Financial literacy for savvy teens and young adults means meeting them where they are, which is in high school and college. It also means understanding how they differ from their Gen X and elder millennial parents. For example, they tend to be debt-averse, thrifty, and responsible but may err on the side of taking too little risk, such as not investing early enough. This book uses economics and psychology to help Generation Z students make better decisions throughout their lives and especially in their formative years. Financial Literacy for Generation Z addresses decisions students have to make while still in school, after graduation, and later, with the greatest emphasis on the decisions closest at hand to them. It encompasses not just money talk-for example, how much to contribute to your 401(k)-but also decisions that are directly connected to money, such as choosing a major and a career, building a credit record, and managing your first real income. Honors the range of financial goals from simply being comfortable through becoming rich Provides case illustrations of how young people of different personality types engage the financial world Offers references to information on modern and reputable websites including NerdWallet.com and CreditKarma.com Includes plenty of "street smart" advice

Until now there were no published analyses of the recent solvency work conducted in Europe, specifically the risk categories proposed by the International Actuarial Association (IAA). Answering the insurance industry's demand in the wake of the EU Solvency II project, Solvency: Models, Assessment and Regulation provides a concrete summary and review of solvency and inspires additional work in the field. Following an introduction to the concept, the first section of the book provides a historical review of solvency, detailing solvency regulation and accounting within the EU. A review of the steps leading to Solvency II looks at accounting, supervision, the actuarial field, the first phase of Solvency II, international approaches to banking, and the solvency systems of 12 major nations. The second section explores the current basis for solvency modeling, focusing on the valuation of assets and liabilities, dependency and various conservative approaches, as well as a baseline and benchmark approach. This section also provides examples of risk structure and the effects of diversification. The final section discusses groups and internal modeling as it relates to EU Solvency II. It addresses insurance groups, financial conglomerates, reinsurance, the importance of internal modeling and stress testing, and the current state of the second phase of EU Solvency II.