Naked Finance, David Meckin

Published by Nicholas Brealey

Buy it now from Blackwell Books

Business finance pure and simple

David Meckin is a Member of the Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and his clients include FTSE-100 companies and international household names.

Despite this he manages to make finance interesting, simple and very nearly enjoyable.

Aimed mainly at non-financial managers – those are the ones expected to have a grasp of budget preparation, be able to understand financial reports and handle cash flow issues with absolutely no training - the book presents complex concepts in plain, almost jargon-free English. To his credit (non-financial) David explains the jargon when he has to use it.

Using simple illustrations of his arguments, he teaches us the skills necessary to manage sales and costs, to make sure cash is there when needed and to manage long term projects. Along the way he also reveals how you measure financial success, how to make real profits and which of the many figures you need to pay proper attention to.

The book is written in a straightforward style that makes it easy to read while still providing a thorough and practical guide to the essentials of business finance.

A worthwhile introduction to the topic that should be on pretty well every manager’s bookshelf.

Sales Promotion, Roddy Mullin & Julian Cummins

Published by Kogan Page

Buy it now from Blackwell Books

How to create campaigns that work

This is the 4th edition of the late Julian Cummins’ comprehensive work, the latest two editions having been revised by Roddy Mullin.

This book is regarded as essential reading both for students of the subject and experienced practitioners wanting to stay abreast of developments in sales promotion issues and techniques.

Sales promotion is probably used more than any other type of marketing effort and when one reads the numerous case studies in this volume it becomes easy to understand why – properly implemented, sales promotion ‘just works’.

The first nine chapters deal with the issues – among them marketing purpose, what the discipline can achieve, how to create and apply promotions and the legal considerations.

The second half of the book consists of a further six chapters on the various techniques available. The more exciting chapters, they deal with off-the-shelf offers and joint-, price-, premium- and prize-promotions respectively. The final chapter is saved for an examination of international promotions.

Complete with a plethora of case studies – 50 in total - plus self study notes and questions, this is about as comprehensive an introduction to the subject and text book as can be imagined. Little wonder it is a core text of the Institute of Sales Promotion’s diploma course.

50 Prosperity Classics, Tom Butler-Bowdon

Published by Nicholas Brealey

Buy it now from Blackwell Books

How to attract, create, manage and share prosperity

Well, he’s done it again! How he manages to read so many books is a mystery. This is the fifth of his ‘Classics’ books which means 250 leading examples of self-help, success, spirituality, psychology and now prosperity manuals neatly summarised for us.

How many books must Tom have read to distil these collections? Thousands is the answer; and we should be truly glad that he has because this series represents an invaluable short–cut for the seeker of enlightenment.

With regard to the latest entrant, it is a cornucopia of wisdom expertly appraised and delivered in a digestible format. From world famous classics of the genre to obscure ‘worst sellers'; from Carnegie and Hill to Branson and Trump, Tom Butler-Bowdon has scoured them all to bring us this invaluable reference work.

Treat it with respect. It will point you to those authors who speak your language; those writings that could spark off your own innate ability to create for yourself a prosperous life in all senses.

I really can’t put it better than John Randolph Price (one of whose books features so maybe he has an axe to grind), “A treasure chest of golden nuggets to use in realising a life more abundant.”

Tales of Talent, Guy Ellis

Published by Bookshaker

Buy it now from Blackwell Books

Talent management from a different perspective.

High profile HR consultant Guy Ellis takes a break from his global client list and turns his hand to writing a fairy story for grown ups. Or, more accurately, a series of short tales designed to help managers understand their role better.

Regular readers will know that stories are not my favourite method for getting messages across; I could tell you what to do with your cheese and your fish! However, Guy’s style has a certain charm and the messages he brings are certainly worthy of consideration.

The story element concerns an ambitious young boy, Janus, who is desperate to become wise. Encouraged by his queen, Janus visits various members of the royal household and each imparts a share of the knowledge he seeks.

Stripping away the layers, this book is all about the importance of people to every organisation; something to which we all pay lip service and yet few take the appropriate actions. Stressing teamwork, planning, motivation, appropriately benign management and, above all, a proper sense of humility, Mr Ellis admirably supports his case that

“Organisations are simply a group of people with shared interests or purpose.”

A useful addition to the manager’s bookshelf – and an easy read to boot!