A cliche it may be but we are living in ever more turbulent times. Business decision--making has become more challenging and unpredictable than ever: we see unforeseen and often cataclysmic changes in consumer demand, both at home and in export markets; customers continue to demand more, more quickly and for less; new laws and regulations abound; competitors steal loyal customers; and, increasingly, the advice that once could be found from a a Small Business Advisera has been replaced by a call centre. Hand in hand with these challenges, the risks associated with expansion, or a new strategy, have grown significantly. In the context of a small business, where a manager has not necessarily had the breadth of experience of someone in a larger organization or formal management learning, they can seem extremely daunting. This book addresses the issues confronting managers/owners of SMEs by providing practical, jargon--free advice on which a SME can create a sound platform from which to prosper. aeo Uncomplicated and jargon free to appeal to the SME director or manager who has little time to read aeo Can be used as a continuous read or a source of ides for dealing with the day--to--day problems of running and growing a small business aeo Based on the practical experience of the authors with examples taken from consulting practice