Complete Canadian Small Business Guide

by Douglas A. Gray

It's not easy to start or to run a small business. According to the authors of The Complete Canadian Small Business Guide, "four out of five small businesses cease to operate within three to five years of start-up." Hence the need for a comprehensive compendium of practical information so that you can be one of the few entrepreneurs who make it. Weighing in at more than 600 pages, the Guide covers tactics and strategies for just about every eventuality you might face, from financing to interior decorating. (And because Douglas Gray, who has written 17 other books about small business, is a lawyer, the legal aspects of entrepreneurship are especially well covered.) Each of the 21 chapters is organized with headings, sub-headings, and bullet points--so, while it's not the sort of book to read cover to cover, it is a valuable reference as you face the various issues that confront a small businessperson.

The Guide is generous in providing 36 charts, checklists, and forms you might need: letters to collect bad debts, a sample business plan, and a balance sheet. It also supplies plenty of other resources, Web sites, and an exhaustive glossary. The challenges in running a small business are daunting. At those moments when you feel there is nowhere to turn for help, this comprehensive reference can provide the answers. --Edward Trapunski

Genres: Business

688 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[A.V. Dalcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview to all of the moving parts of running a business. I found a handful of sections laughable - as in I get the impression that the author barely understands how certain components of technology (the internet) works, but tries their hardest to impress upon the reader the virtues of this new fangled technology and how it could benefit your business. I found it funny only because I worked in web development, ecommerce, and graphic design. It's not the information in those chapters are bad (far from it), it's just very... I want to say on the cusp of being out of date. I felt this way particularly when they brought up the virtues of a fax machine and pager.

Some content sort of grated me, but in keeping in mind who this was written for, asking an aspiring entrepreneur to be accountable for poor training, communication, and then some - while also leaving out that stats are indicating that a large portion of workplace distraction stems from 'meaningless work' and poor management and leadership. Those chapters felt very much like: blame the employee; it's always their fault.

The chapter on time and stress management is iffy, as I take a personal issue with working yourself into an early grave. There's more to life than work. But that said, running your own business is a ton of work! You will be expected to wear a lot of hats especially initially when you're not generating the capital needed to meet monthly expenses or pay for qualified skill. If time and stress management is an issue - and it always is - I recommend Getting Things Done and Deep Work, maybe the 4-hour Work Week - as if teaches you how to delegate work and free up your time. Granted neither one of my recommendations addresses work/life balance or mindfulness practices that help reduce stress. Personally I didn't start my businesses to work 180hrs a week - but I planned my business accordingly and reduced my multi-million dollar business to focus on what I needed to sustain myself and keep my business out of the red.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really cover a wide range if topics that can effect a small Canadian business. It found relevant sections useful and I have earmarked for my reference when the time come for me to use it.

I really enjoyed learning about all the different kinds if lease agreements that are out there, the ratio section that determines how how well your business is performing. The formula for pricing products, how to receive addition funding either by loan or grant and the scary stuff like bankruptcy procedures. I don’t think anybody wants to read this part and I cringed several times but it still was brief enough, specific enough to understand the process. I hope to never experience this.

[L M Wannetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for business owners who are starting out as well as current business owners

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intuitive. I loved it

[Cory Marchildon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is no more comprehensive then what you you can find online.