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Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Entrepreneurship Simplified) Hardcover – February 21, 2017
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Conventional accounting uses the logical (albeit, flawed) formula: Sales - Expenses = Profit. The problem is, businesses are run by humans, and humans aren't always logical. Serial entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz has developed a behavioral approach to accounting to flip the formula: Sales - Profit = Expenses. Just as the most effective weight loss strategy is to limit portions by using smaller plates, Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows. Using Michalowicz's Profit First system, readers will learn that:
· Following 4 simple principles can simplify accounting and make it easier to manage a profitable business by looking at bank account balances.
· A small, profitable business can be worth much more than a large business surviving on its top line.
· Businesses that attain early and sustained profitability have a better shot at achieving long-term growth.
With dozens of case studies, practical, step-by-step advice, and his signature sense of humor, Michalowicz has the game-changing roadmap for any entrepreneur to make money they always dreamed of.
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPortfolio
- Publication dateFebruary 21, 2017
- Dimensions6.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
- ISBN-109780735214149
- ISBN-13978-0735214149
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From the Publisher
THREE STEPS TO PERMANENT PROFITABILITY
CHANNEL BEHAVIOR
Most entrepreneurs run their business via “login and see what you’ve got - bank balance accounting.” If you do that, too... congratulations! Profit First was made for you.
Profit First is a cash management system that works with your bank accounts. The do-it-yourself process pre-allocates money to its intended use before you spend it. When you log into your bank, you will know what money is available for what purpose.
REMOVE TEMPTATION
Just like the 401k has been the greatest personal savings mechanism in US history, Profit First leverages the same “pay yourself first” principle. First, your business will deduct its profit and transfer the money away from your primary bank to prevent the business from “borrowing from it.”
With the temptation to run your business from its profits removed, you will automatically operate your business in a fiscally sound manner.
REWARD QUARTERLY
As profit accumulates, the owner(s) of the business will take a quarterly profit distribution. The profits are not “plowed back” or “reinvested” into the business - or they should be reclassified as expenses. Instead, the profits are used to reward the owner(s).
Some businesses have debt, of course. Using the Profit First system, portions of profit distributions can be used to pay off chunks of debt, but some must remain to reward the owner(s). With Profit First, you win. Every quarter.
ABOUT MIKE MICHALOWICZ
After building and selling two multi-million dollar businesses, Mike Michalowicz (pronounced mi-‘kal-o-wits) started his third company and... lost his entire fortune. Then he started all over again, driven to find better ways to grow healthy, strong companies. Mike has devoted his life to the research and delivery of innovative entrepreneurial strategies to his readers.
Mike is the creator of Profit First, which is used by over one million companies across the globe to drive permanent profit. He is also the creator of Clockwork (small business systems), Fix This Next (small business strategy), Get Different (small business marketing), The Pumpkin Plan (small business growth), and All In (small business teams).
Fix This Next | Get Different | Clockwork | The Pumpkin Plan | All In | |
Customer Reviews |
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Price | $14.99$14.99 | $21.18$21.18 | $31.00$31.00 | $23.55$23.55 | $18.80$18.80 |
YOUR GUIDE TO ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS | I want to do the RIGHT things! | I want to MARKET better than ever! | I want to get my TIME back! | I want to GROW fast and strong! | I want to LEAD an unstoppable team! |
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Quit being a slave to your own business and start making some serious money. Follow Mike’s counter-intuitive advice and put profits first.”
--VERNE HARNISH, author of Scaling Up
“Profit First is a brilliant smack-upside-the-head revelation for entrepreneurs. Most small businesses look pretty good on the outside, yet actually struggle to stay afloat. With fascinating stories and wit, Michalowicz shows how to remove your nose from the grindstone, climb out of the quicksand, and build a business that loves you back.”
—SALLY HOGSHEAD, author of Fascinate
“Profit First may arguably be one of the greatest ‘hacks’ of all time. Apply the pay-yourself-first principle to your business and watch the profits roll in.”
—CHRIS GUILLEBEAU, author of Born for This and The $100 Startup
"Profit First is a game-changer. I implemented the system into both of my businesses and increased profits by 21%. If you want to turn a profit and grow your business, you need this book."
—MICHAEL PORT, author of Steal the Show
"Profit First completely transformed how I handle business banking. I hadn't even finished the book before immediately putting a four-account distribution system in place for new income: operating expenses, owner expenses, taxes and profit. Mike's system moved me from break-even to profitable within a month. This book is a must-read for businesses large and small."
—JENNY BLAKE, author of Pivot
“Twenty-five percent of small businesses have two weeks or less of cash in the bank. Seventy-five percent of businesses have a month or less of cash in the bank. Profit First disciplines show you the roadmap to avoid becoming a statistic. This book has the potential to change the next 20 years of your small business life.”
—DAWN FOTOPULOS, Associate Professor of Business, The King’s College NYC; author of Accounting for the Numberphobic
“Profit First is a revelation. I only wish I knew about this system when I started my first business.”
—JOHN JANTSCH, author of Duct Tape Marketing and SEO for Growth
“Entrepreneurs commonly confuse cash flow with profitability. Profit First makes the process so radically simple that you no longer have an excuse not to be profitable AND have cash flow!”
—GREG CRABTREE, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits
“Not only is Mike one of the most innovative small business authors of our time, his Profit First system—simple to apply and impactful in its results—can be the difference between constantly walking the financial tightrope or being predictably profitable. And a predictably profitable business is not only less stressful and more gratifying, it allows you to focus on what really matters… serving your customers!”
—BOB BURG, coauthor of The Go-Giver and The Go-Giver Leader
"Why are so few businesses actually profitable for their owners? Profit First turns accepted wisdom on its head and shows the real reason business owners struggle with the bottom line. This book shows you how to take home more money almost immediately."
—DORIE CLARK, author of Stand Out
“Finance is the top headache of an entrepreneur. Profit First is a must-read to avoid bankruptcy for great business ideas. Clever, easy to implement and absolutely effective (plus you will enjoy reading it).”
—SOFIA MACIAS, author of Pequeño Cerdo Capitalista
“Entrepreneurs and small business advisors finally have a practical toolkit for increasing profitability! Everyone who touches the small business world should read and apply these game-changing principles.”
—JOE WOODARD, CEO of Woodard Events and Woodard Consulting
“I took the pledge and started implementing the Profit First system after reading Chapter One. By the time I was halfway through the book my business had already turned a profit.”
—BARRY MOLTZ, author of How to Get Unstuck
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Your Business Is an Out-of-Control Cash-Eating Monster
No matter how many years you've been at the grind, you are probably well aware of the statistic that roughly 50 percent of businesses fail within the first five years. What they don't tell you is that those failed entrepreneurs are, in fact, the lucky ones! The majority of the businesses that survive are racking up debt, and their leaders are perpetually stressed. Most entrepreneurs are living a financial nightmare, one that's populated by Freddy Krueger or Frankenstein's monster in its raw, unadulterated scariness. In fact, I am convinced that I am Dr. Frankenstein.
If you read Mary Shelley's classic, Frankenstein, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The good doctor reanimated life. From mismatched body parts, he stitched together a living being more monster than man. Of course his creation wasn't a monster at first. No, at first it was a miracle. Dr. Frankenstein brought to life something that, without his extraordinary idea and exhaustive hard work, could not exist.
That's what I did. That's what you did. We brought something to life that didn't exist before we dreamed it up; we created a business out of thin air. Impressive! Miraculous! Beautiful! Or at least it was until we realized our creation was actually a monster.
Stitching together a business with nothing but a great idea, your unique talents, and whatever few resources you have at hand is most certainly a miracle. And it feels like one, too, until the day you realize your business has become a giant, scary, soul-sucking, cash-eating monster. That's the day you discover that you, too, are an esteemed member of the Frankenstein family.
And just as happened in Shelley's book, mental and physical torment ensues. You try to tame the monster, but you can't. The monster wreaks destruction at every turn: empty bank accounts, credit card debt, loans, and an ever-increasing list of "must-pay" expenses. He eats up your time, too. You wake up before sunrise to work, and you're still at it long after the sun goes down. You work and work, yet the monster continues to loom. Your relentless work doesn't free you; it further drains you. Trying to keep the monster at bay before it destroys your entire world is exhausting. You suffer sleepless nights, worries about collection calls-sometimes from your own employees-and a near-constant panic about how to cover next week's bills with a few dollars and the lint in your pocket. Didn't you start a business so you could be your own boss? Now it looks as though this monster is the boss of you.
If you think operating your business is closer to a horror story than to a fairy tale, you're not alone. Since I wrote my first book, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, I've met tens of thousands of entrepreneurs; and let me tell you, most are struggling to tame the beast that is their business. Many companies-even those that appear to have it all together, even the big guys who seem to dominate their industries-are one bad month away from total collapse.
My own wake-up call came in the form of my daughter's piggy bank.
The Piggy Bank That Changed My Life
I lost my way the day I received a check for $388,000. It was the first of several checks I would receive for the sale of my second company-a multimillion-dollar computer forensic investigations business I had cofounded-to a Fortune 500 firm. I had now built and sold two companies, and that check was all the proof I needed that my friends and family were right about me: When it came to growing businesses, I had the Midas touch.
The day I received the check, I bought three cars: a Dodge Viper (my college-fantasy dream car, and what I have subsequently found many people identify as the "that-guy-must-have-a-tiny-penis" car), something I'd promised I would get for myself "one day" when I'd "made it," a Land Rover for my wife, and a spare-a tricked-out BMW.
I had always believed in frugality, but now I was rich (with an ego to match). I joined the private club: the one where, the more money you give, the higher they place your name on the members' wall. And I rented a house on a remote Hawaiian island so my wife, my children, and I could spend the next three or so weeks experiencing what our new lifestyle would be like. You know, "how the other half lives."
I thought it was time to revel in the money I had created. What I didn't know was that I was about to learn the difference between making money (income) and taking money (profit). These are two very, very different things.
I launched my first business on ambition and air, sleeping in my car or under conference room tables in order to avoid the cost of hotels when visiting clients. So imagine the surprised look from my wife, Krista, when I asked the sales guy at the dealership for "the most expensive Land Rover you have." Not the best Land Rover. Not the safest Land Rover. The most expensive Land Rover. He skipped his way to the manager, doing a giddy hand clap.
Krista looked at me and said, "Have you lost your mind? Can we really afford this?"
Full of snark, I said, "Can we afford it? We have more money than God." I will never forget the stupidity coming out of my mouth that day; such disgusting words, such a disgusting ego. Krista was right. I had lost my mind-and, at least for the moment, my soul.
That day was the beginning of the end. I was well on my way to discovering that while I knew how to make millions, what I was really, really proficient at was losing millions.
It wasn't just the lifestyle I bought into that caused my financial downfall-the trappings of success were a symptom of my arrogance-I believed in my own mythology. I was King Midas reinvented. I could do no wrong. And because I had the golden touch and knew how to build successful businesses, I decided that investing in a dozen brand-new start-ups was the best way to use my windfall. After all, it was only a matter of time before my entrepreneurial genius rubbed off on these promising companies.
Did I care whether the founders of these companies knew what they were doing? No-I had all the answers (read that with a massive douche emphasis). I assumed that my golden touch would more than compensate for their lack of business expertise. I hired a team to manage the infrastructure of all these start-ups-accounting, marketing, social media, Web design. I was sure I had the formula for success: a promising start-up; the infrastructure; and my incredible, superior magic touch (more douche emphasis).
Then, I started writing checks-$5,000 to one person, $10,000 to another, every month more checks, and still more. One time, I cut a check for $50,000 to cover expenses for one of these companies. I was focused on one thing and one thing only: growth. Mindlessly throwing money at start-up companies wasn't even in alignment with my values about money; I was a bootstrapper and proud of it. Still, I was blind to my mistakes. I was all pump and dump. Grow the businesses, then sell them. In retrospect, it was clear that I would not be able to grow all of these companies to the point where they would eventually become niche authorities, as I had with my two previous companies. There was never enough revenue to cover the ever-increasing mountain of bills.
Because of my massive ego, I didn't allow the good people who started these businesses to become true entrepreneurs. They were just my pawns. I ignored the signs and kept funneling money into my investments, sure that King Midas would be able to turn it all around.
Within twelve months, all of the companies I'd invested in, except one, had gone belly up. When I started writing checks to pay bills for companies that had already folded, I realized that I was not an angel investor; I was the Angel of Death.
It was a monumental disaster. Scratch that; I was a monumental disaster. Within a couple of years, I lost nearly every penny of my hard-earned fortune. Over half a million in savings gone. A much larger (embarrassingly larger) amount of investment money gone. Worse, I had no incoming revenue. By February fourteenth of 2008, I was down to my last $10,000.
I will never forget that Valentine's Day. Not because it was so full of love (even though it was), but because it was the day I realized that the old adage "When you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up" is total bullshit. I discovered that day that when you hit rock bottom, sometimes you get dragged along the bottom, scraping your face on every one of those rocks until you're battered, bruised, and bloodied.
That morning I got a call at my office from Keith, my accountant (not to be confused with Keith, the hot-air balloon guy). He said, "Good news, Mike. I got a jump start on your taxes this year and just finished your return for 2007. You owe only twenty-eight thousand dollars."
I felt a sharp pain in my chest, like a knife stabbing me. I remember thinking, "Is this what it feels like to have a heart attack?"
I would have to scramble to get the $18,000 I didn't have, and then figure out how to cover my mortgage the next month plus all of the small recurring and unexpected expenses that added up to a whole lot of cash.
As Keith wrapped up the call, he said that the bill for his services would arrive on Monday.
"How much?" I asked.
"Two thousand."
I felt the knife twist. I had $10,000 to my name and bills totaling three times that amount. After I ended the call, I put my head on my desk and cried. I had gone so far astray from my values, from who I was at my core, that I had destroyed everything. Now, not only could I not pay my taxes; I had no idea how I would provide for my family.
At the Michalowicz household, Valentine's Day is a legit holiday-on a level with Thanksgiving. We have a special dinner together, exchange cards, and go around the table sharing stories about what we love about each other. This is why Valentine's Day is my favorite day of the year. Typically, I would come home with flowers, or balloons, or both. That Valentine's Day I came home with nothing.
Though I tried to hide it, my family knew something was wrong. At the dinner table, Krista asked me if I was OK. That was all it took for the dam to break. The shame was too great. I went from offering up forced smiles to sobbing in a matter of seconds. My children stared at me, shocked and horrified. When I finally stopped crying enough to speak, I said, "I lost everything. Every single penny."
Total silence. I slumped over in my chair; the shame was too great for me to face my family, not when all the money I had earned to support them was gone. Not only had I failed to provide for my family; my ego had stolen it all away. I felt pure, unadulterated shame about what I had done.
My daughter, Adayla, who was nine years old at the time, got up from the table and ran to her bedroom. I couldn't really blame her-I wanted to run away, too.
The silence continued for two painfully awkward minutes until Adayla walked back into the room carrying her piggy bank, the one she had received as a gift when she was born. It had clearly been cared for; even with all those years of use, there wasn't a single chip or crack on the bank. She had secured the rubber stopper in place with a combination of masking tape, duct tape, and rubber bands.
Adayla set her piggy bank down on the dining room table and slid it toward me. Then she said the words that will stay with me until the day I die:
"Daddy, we're going to make it."
That Valentine's Day I woke up feeling like Debbie Horovitch felt after her Instant Assessment: like a fool. But by the end of the day I'd learned what net worth really is, thanks to my nine-year-old daughter. That day I also learned that no amount of talent, ingenuity, passion, or skill would change the fact that cash is still king. I learned that a nine-year-old girl had mastered the essence of financial security: save your money and block access to it so it doesn't get stolen-by you. And I learned that I could tell myself that my natural aptitude for business, my relentless drive, and my solid work ethic could overcome any cash crisis, but it would be a lie.
Running the Instant Assessment can be like having a bucket of ice water dropped on your head (if you did the "ice bucket challenge" a couple of years ago, you know the spine-shuddering chill I am talking about). Or it can seem like the most humbling moment of your life, like when your daughter volunteers her life savings to save you from the mess you made. But no matter how sharp the pain is, it's better to face it than continue to live and operate your business in denial.
Money Problems
You have probably put a lot of work into growing your business. You are probably good or great at that part. That's awesome. And that's surely half of the equation. But colossal growth without financial health will still kill your company. With this book, you have an opportunity to master money.
Money is the foundation. Without enough money, we cannot take our message, our products, or our services to the world. Without enough money, we are slaves to the businesses we launched. I find this hilarious because, in large part, we started our businesses because we wanted to be free.
Without enough money, we cannot fully realize our authentic selves. Money amplifies who we are. There isn't a single ounce of doubt in my mind that there is something big you are intended to do on this planet. You wear the cape of what I believe is the greatest of all superheroes: the Entrepreneur. But your superhero powers can only yield as much power as your energy source provides. Money. You need money, superhero.
When I sat down to evaluate where I went wrong, I realized that while my own spending and arrogance definitely played a part, I also lacked knowledge. I had mastered how to grow businesses quickly, yet I never really graduated to understanding profitability. I had learned how to collect money, for sure, but I had never learned how to keep it, how to control it or how to grow it.
Product details
- ASIN : 073521414X
- Publisher : Portfolio; Reissue edition (February 21, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780735214149
- ISBN-13 : 978-0735214149
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Financial Accounting (Books)
- #1 in Theory of Economics
- #2 in Accounting Theory
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author
By his 35th birthday MIKE MICHALOWICZ (pronounced mi-‘kal-o-wits) had founded and sold two multi-million dollar companies.
Confident that he had the formula to success, he became a small business angel investor… and proceeded to lose his entire fortune. Then he started all over again, driven to find better ways to grow healthy, strong companies. Mike has devoted his life to the research and delivery of innovative, impactful entrepreneurial strategies to you.
Mike is the creator of Profit First, which is used by hundreds of thousands of companies across the globe to drive profit. He is the creator of Clockwork, a powerful method to make any business run on automatic. He is the author of Fix This Next, an instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller, The Pumpkin Plan, Surge and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. His newest book, Get Different, teaches entrepreneurs how to creating marketing that can't be ignored.
Today, Mike leads two new multi-million-dollar ventures, as he tests his latest business research for his books. He is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and business makeover specialist on MSNBC. Mike is a popular main stage keynote speaker on innovative entrepreneurial topics; and is the author of Get Different, Fix This Next, Clockwork, Profit First, Surge, The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.
Fabled author, Simon Sinek deemed Mike Michalowicz “…the top contender for the patron saint of entrepreneurs.”
Mike is also a guest lecturer for collegiate entrepreneurial programs such as Babson, Boston College, Columbia, Copenhagen Business School, Emerson, Harvard, Penn State, Pepperdine and Princeton. His books are in the core curriculum for entrepreneur students at Pepperdine, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford University, and universities across the country. His books have been translated into over 27 languages.
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and helpful for managing business finances. They describe it as an excellent, easy read that provides a straightforward and simple system for organizing finances. Readers appreciate the value for money and how it helps them set aside profits for their business. The author's humor and relatable storytelling engage them.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the book's information quality. They say it has changed the way they manage their business funds and mindset. The book provides an informative overview of business life, allowing them to see profits from day one. It provides practical ideas that have transformed their businesses.
"...Following this method of cash management can keep you calm as a business owner! (And the author is a Hokie, so that's a plus as well!)" Read more
"...emphasize revenue and expansion, this book campaigns a refreshingly unconventional approach—a perspective most entrepreneurs desperately need...." Read more
"...This book has enough accounting and economics argot to satisfy the accounting purist, but will also make sense to guy or gal who finds all that &#..." Read more
"...And at the same time, removes the hassle of physical money management (envelopes and cash)...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's worth buying, has good quality, and simplifies finance for all readers.
"...enriched with real-life examples, simplifies finance and makes it accessible to all readers...." Read more
"...Definitely worth reading! Really glad I implemented it!..." Read more
"Great read. Lots of wonderful thoughts and ideas." Read more
"Good book...." Read more
Customers find the book's content straightforward and intuitive. It provides a simple, easy-to-implement system for organizing finances that is applicable to any business type. The book is well-planned and easy to follow.
"...And the author is a Hokie, so that's a plus as well!)" Read more
"...The Profit First formula is straightforward yet profoundly impactful—a testament to the idea that the most effective solutions are often the..." Read more
"...Mike Michalowicz writes in an easy, declarative style, using humor, often self-deprecating, and anecdotes from his work and family life..." Read more
"...The logic is so simple and clear cut, Mike doesn't make you run through hoops to understand it...." Read more
Customers find the book's principles helpful for setting aside profits for their businesses. They say it helps them manage their finances better and increase their revenue. The book helps them prioritize profit and ensure their business is financially healthy. It's simple, cheaper, and faster to implement, allowing customers to live in peace with their money.
"...I can easily see what money I have available for any planned purchase, and I have been able to pay myself from day 1...." Read more
"...The message is clear: prioritize profit, and your business will reward you with resilience and prosperity...." Read more
"I love efficiency! And in general an envelope system is a great way to do that...but with actual physical envelopes, it gets a little..." Read more
"...Some solid new ideas that I've not read anything else. It did help us to pull out taxes and a small amount of profit first before putting the rest..." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and humorous. They enjoy the author's witty writing style, including personal stories, puns, and one-liners. The book is described as an enjoyable read on business finances with an irreverent tone.
"...Mike Michalowicz writes in an easy, declarative style, using humor, often self-deprecating, and anecdotes from his work and family life..." Read more
"...So he packs in so much humor, I find myself chuckling at his wisecracks and down to earth tone...." Read more
"I love that the author is entertaining to read while also being informational about business life...." Read more
"...He’s also authentic, ridiculously witty and funny but he also genuinely cares about your success...." Read more
Customers find the book relatable and engaging. They appreciate the author's transparent, relatable style and clear presentation of ideas. The conversational tone and actionable advice are praised as valuable.
"...WHY NOT PAY YOURSELF FIRST????? Michalowicz's engaging storytelling, enriched with real-life examples, simplifies finance and makes it..." Read more
"...Enter Profit First. Mike Michalowicz lays everything out so unbelievably clearly, that I truly feel confident about how I want to start my business..." Read more
"...Mike's conversational, self-deprecating, irreverent tone makes reading his books enjoyable as well as life-changing...." Read more
"I love Mike and his writings...." Read more
Customers find the book actionable and encouraging them to take small, measurable steps to put the knowledge into practice. They appreciate the easy-to-follow action list at the end of each chapter. The simple approach is effective and addictive, leading customers to take immediate action.
"...It was one of the first books I read. I love the siplicity & actionable steps that Mike provides...." Read more
"...I also love his little action steps...." Read more
"...With actionable steps and accountability, Mike will get you on your way to looking at your business differently. And it’s so SIMPLE...." Read more
"...it is very actionable (I have taken action on every step that Mike recommended); 2) Knowing where..." Read more
Customers find the book's steps work well for personal and business finances. They say it's simple yet powerful, and works with countless other businesses.
"...the principles and tactics within, I can assure you that this system works...." Read more
"...This sh*t works. One month in, I decided to check my ‘hidden’ profit bank account to find out I had almost $1100 in there! Holy Shnikies!..." Read more
"Read this book once a year. Implement it. Follow it. It works...." Read more
"Great book! This was exactly what I needed. It is practical, powerful, motivating, passionate, and fun to read!..." Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024I read this book when I was first starting my business, so I was able to put it into place from the start and it has been fantastic. I can easily see what money I have available for any planned purchase, and I have been able to pay myself from day 1. As a bookkeeper, I also highly recommend it to my clients as a cash/spending management method and encourage them to read this book. Following this method of cash management can keep you calm as a business owner! (And the author is a Hokie, so that's a plus as well!)
- Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023Mike Michalowicz's "Profit First" introduces a groundbreaking concept that flips traditional financial wisdom on its head: prioritize profit first. In a world where businesses typically emphasize revenue and expansion, this book campaigns a refreshingly unconventional approach—a perspective most entrepreneurs desperately need.
WHY NOT PAY YOURSELF FIRST?????
Michalowicz's engaging storytelling, enriched with real-life examples, simplifies finance and makes it accessible to all readers. The book's central focus is change in your approach to finances and how you think about your money. The system reshapes the reader's financial mindset, promoting disciplined money management. Prior to using this in business, I applied the system to my Personal/Professional Career and financials. BOOM!!! I had to personally reach out to Mike, this is powerful stuff!!
The core takeaway is the "banking" system, without giving away too much. This approach compels business owners to allocate funds thoughtfully, breaking free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, even within their businesses.
"Profit First" isn't just a book; it's a financial EXPLOSION kit. It challenges the hear say and presents an unconventional approach to financial growth. The message is clear: prioritize profit, and your business will reward you with resilience and prosperity.
"Profit First" ensures sustainable expansion. It shifts the focus from revenue to profit—a transformative concept in the world of business.
The Profit First formula is straightforward yet profoundly impactful—a testament to the idea that the most effective solutions are often the simplest ones.
In summary, "Profit First" is a revolutionary habit building process of financial management, offering a roadmap to lasting profitability and resilience.
BUY THE BOOK & TAKE ACTION, OTHERWISE YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO BETTER YOUR PUMP!!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2018When a friend told me about Profit First, it sounded like a solution for those who had trouble using and understanding GAAP (Generally accepted accounting principles). I had just completed a special bookkeeping project for my friend's business and I had seen the challenges that he faced. The one thing I remember from our conversation was that he had worked over thirty years in his industry and had been successful in selling many units over the years. His question was, "Where's the money?" He is financially successful but thought he should have much more to show for his successful sales career.
I decided to buy the book and see for myself what I couldn't wrap my head around from my client's description. I had limited ability to think outside the normal accounting/bookkeeping mode since I've been doing bookkeeping for others and myself for many years and support a number of clients who use proprietary software to maintain their books. Bottom line: I'm glad I read the book and followed the instructions for setting up the specific bank accounts Michalowicz suggests; after I took the quick assessment of one of our businesses, I was able to see where our allocation assumptions had left us--with booked profits but very little cash.
Mr. Michalowicz writes from the standpoint of having started a number of businesses and facing the stark reality that if one's expenses aren't allocated correctly, the business is often just breaking even or less. Putting aside allocated profit first requires the business owner to then take a sharp pencil to his/her expenses and allocate them in percentages that are in line with the profit allocation he/she has set.
I've only just begun to use this system and can see results from it already. It makes sense since I take the profit off the top of each sale and effectively get it out of site so I'm not tempted to spend it when the squeeze is on. It's an entirely different way of thinking for me in our businesses; instead of Income-expenses=Profit; Income-Profit=Expenses. Then it's up to the business owner(s) to work on suggested expense allocations to get them in line with the profit allocation chosen. In the (Almost) Instant Assessment, the author offers suggested expense allocations based on the size of the enterprise. This book has enough accounting and economics argot to satisfy the accounting purist, but will also make sense to guy or gal who finds all that "accounting stuff" boring and even irritating---" I'm out there selling every day; you (bookkeeper) just make it work!"
Mike Michalowicz writes in an easy, declarative style, using humor, often self-deprecating, and anecdotes from his work and family life (the piggy bank story is both poignant and instructive). He shares his own stories of learning through mistakes, does not make grandiose claims, and fairly early on in the book asks the reader to send him a personal email stating, "I've drawn the line in the sand," thereby committing the reader's business to profitability. I did that, by the way, and got a response from Mike. There was something about the challenge that took me back to the movie Network when news anchor Howard Beale tells his listeners to open their windows and shout, " I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.” The commonality is that both actions were about lines drawn in the sand.
This book is an easy and captivating read. I felt as if I knew the writer because of his candor and style, and recommend the book to anyone with a business, especially if you've ever seen a disconnect between what your accountant tells you about the profitability of your business and the money in the bank at the end of a "profitable" year.
Top reviews from other countries
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Laércio Zulian GallinaReviewed in Brazil on August 4, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro
Ótima leitura, estimula a encarar os pequenos e médios negócios de outra forma.
- ReaderReviewed in France on September 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Even though I’m finance guy, I find this approach good! It really works! One of books I’m using now daily !
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Mateo EguigurenReviewed in Spain on April 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Lo comenzamos a implementar este mes en la agencia
El libro habla acerca de un simple sistema para separar primero el Profit, después pagarte a ti como el empleado más importante dentro de toda la compañía. Luego separar para pagar impuestos porque ese dinero no te pertenece a ti, sino al Estado y finalmente pagar los costos operativos.
Este mes lo comenzaremos a aplicar en la agencia de marketing especializada en comercio electrónico y dentro de unos meses veremos el impacto
Mateo Eguiguren
Reviewed in Spain on April 26, 2024
Este mes lo comenzaremos a aplicar en la agencia de marketing especializada en comercio electrónico y dentro de unos meses veremos el impacto
Images in this review - ShashankReviewed in India on January 19, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Changes the way you think about Business Cash Management
This book is really nice and simple to understand. The author, Mike has explained it so well and on to the point. It is detailed and guides well to make sure you manage your business cash well and you take home profit. This is my first book of Mike. I guess this will make me buy more from his collection.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the Netherlands on October 8, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
Great system to use for starting companies. I enjoyed Reading this book. IT was very clear and easy to read