This book addresses the issues concerned with the achievement of world class competitiveness by major international companies. It is the story of creating success where failure was endemic and demonstrating that so-called Japanese management techniques can be applied elsewhere by other western companies to attain market supremacy. It is a book based on personal experience but related to theory and thus is of use to the reader trying to change where they work for the better as well as providing answers to a number of commonly asked questions: * Why are the Japanese so consistently successful? * Can we compete and become World Class using our culture and Japanese management techniques? * Is there a manufacturing future for the UK and Europe in the face of competition from the Pacific Basin? * How do we achieve world class competitiveness? How do you start this in your business? 'I learnt a great deal from (Becoming World Class) and I would be surprised if there is ... anybody who wants to do business with the Japanese or to succeed in world competitive terms who will not find something worthwhile in this book.' - Sir John Harvey-Jones

Embarking on a cruise from Gibraltar and heading off to Barcelona, Rome and Pisa and Florence, eight passengers meet at dinner and, from that moment on, their lives are inextricably linked as they cruise between beautiful cities and historic sites. So, let's meet our companions for dinner... Nat Mbele, American businessman, who left his wife but found only guilt; Maude, retired schoolteacher, who has never previously left Scotland and now feels all at sea; Mark, divorced with two children, wants to expand his life, but will a cruise bring him the new horizons he is hoping for? Veronica, already living in the south of France, recently lost her third husband and has learnt that money is nothing without love; Retired barrister, Ralph, always on the lookout for a good time... especially if it involves sex, but at what cost? Liz, a spinster with a successful career in the city but a yearning for more; Darren, computer whizz kid from the East End, who struggles to fit in; and Charlotte, recently divorced, and far from over it... Thrown together, and crisscrossing the sea, all eight have a chance to change, but will they get their problems shipshape before the final port? Or could they be disembarking with more baggage than when they weighed anchor?

Opportunities always exist for those with skills and relevant experience to create and build a business of their own. And if it's a service industry that you are offering it is possible to start from your home with very little or no capital outlay. Many one person start-ups are capable of providing significantly higher income than is provided through employment - and they have the potential to grow. This book sets out the essential aspects of running a small business, and explains the commercial frameworks that apply for trades, professions, personal and management services, agencies, trading activities and creative concepts. It includes: * Defining your market and studying the competition * Specifying your product or service * Pricing and marketing your product or service * Calculating risk and breakeven * Budgeting and keeping records * Using other services and professionals * Understanding the basics of commercial law * Structuring your business for tax efficiency * Employing staff * Acquiring or renting property * Dealing with expansion

This book will help you come to terms with redundancy; then help you to examine all your employment options. One of these will be self employment, and you'll discover a number of opportunities that are available to specialist and experienced managers from a wide variety of backgrounds. For those wanting to start their own business it looks at the different options for starting a product-based or service-based business, or for buying a franchise or an existing business. Whichever route you choose, you will find help and advice on studying and defining your market, raising finance, building your business and managing the ongoing admin.