Business Diagnosticsª 2005

About the Book

Business Diagnostics™ is an invaluable reference for today's business owner. The authors have devised a unique framework that allows company owners and managers to complete a powerful external and internal evaluation of their corporate health. This indispensable book provides insights and reference sources covering a broad spectrum of business issues from raising equity, obtaining financing, implementing growth strategies and surviving when times get tough.

You will learn to:

• Complete an effective external 'size-up' of your business environment and industry sector
• Critically examine your key functions - Finance, Marketing, Operations, Human Resources and Technology - using a unique and concise evaluation of your strengths and what need to be fixed
• Assess your Customer focus
• Hone your diagnostic and evaluation skills by reviewing a fictional company and then completing a 'size-up' to assess the health and prospects of a company experiencing growth challenges
• Enhance your equity raising proposals and avoid the many pitfalls that confront participants in this complex process
• Submit an effective and successful bank financing proposal by understanding the risk assessment that commercial bankers use to separate the winners from the losers
• Complete and initial valuation of your company (or one that you intend to purchase) by considering four key valuation techniques and the due diligence process that needs to be followed
• Simplify the business and strategic planning process by reviewing the 'Seven Ways To Create An Effective Business Plan'

About the Author

An accountant, Richard Mimick
A banker, Michael Thompson
An IT professional/entrepreneur, William Smith

Richard Mimick is President and CEO of Professional Practice Management Services Limited, a management consulting and executive development firm based in Victoria. B.C. Canada. Rich holds a CPA (USA Chartered Accountant) designation and commenced his consulting career with Andersen Consulting.

His academic appointments include Chair and Professor at the world ranked Ivey Business School, Director of Royal Roads University Business Programs, and Director of University of Victoria's Executive Programs.

Rich has designed, developed and delivered consulting engagements and executive programs for Canadian, American, European and Asian clients. His areas of expertise are strategic management, finance and marketing strategy.

Rich has received international recognition for his outstanding teaching abilities and is known for his exceptional ability to turn complex topics into understandable practical learning.

Mike Thompson has over 20 years' commercial banking experience gained in the U.K, Ontario and British Columbia Canada.

His academic credentials include and Honors degree in Economics from the University of Manchester and a Diploma in Land Economics from the University of British Columbia.

Professional certifications include Fellow of Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC).

Mike has taught Business Strategy courses at both the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University and has developed a number of successful business planning and risk assessment seminars for business and professional associations.

William E.Smith Special Mathematics degree from Kings College, London; MBA from the University of Victoria in Canada; Member of the British Computer Society (MBCS) and a UK Chartered Systems Engineer (C.Eng).

Smith has extensive qualifications and experience from over 30 years working in the IT industry throughout the globe. Smith began his career at IBM and recently completed three years at Microsoft EMEA in the position of Finance Industry Manager for Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa. He left Microsoft in May 2001 to take the position of COO with ICT, a start up company focused on the Core Banking opportunities in Financial Services.

Over the years Smith has worked with and managed some of the world's best programmers and systems designers. During this period Bill has incubated two ISV's (software development companies) which built their successes around Microsoft products. One was focused on Home Automation and the second on Cardiology.

Bill took both companies public and gained a huge amount of experience as a CEO and as a fundraiser in high technology. Throughout his career Smith has traveled the world extensively and is just as at home project managing a virtual banking system, designing a .NET service, arranging manufacturing capability in China, as in setting up distributors in Japan or Amsterdam, or even arranging financing in New York, Kuwait or Silicon Valley.