Author(s): Harvard Business Review

Business Finance Management

DON'T LET YOUR FEAR OF FINANCE GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SUCCESS Can you prepare a breakeven analysis? Do you know the difference between an income statement and a balance sheet? Or understand why a business that's profitable can still go belly-up? Has your grasp of your company's numbers helped--or hurt--your career? Whether you're new to finance or you just need a refresher, this go-to guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to master the fundamentals, as all good managers must. The HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers will help you: * Learn the language of finance * Compare your firm's financials with rivals' * Shift your team's focus from revenues to profits * Assess your vulnerability to industry downturns * Use financial data to defend budget requests * Invest smartly through cost/benefit analysis