A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

Essential, 20 May 2007
This book may not top you Christmas wish list but it is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, executives and business people alike. Richard weaves his craft and translates years of first hand experience into a highly readable, enjoyable and, most importantly, understandable read. I have applied many of the recommendations in this book to my own scenarios and the results have been instantaneous. No longer do I fear the darkest realms of the financial departments, analysts or executives - this book has provided with the insight, weapons and strategy to battle upon an even keel. This book could be the greatest investment you ever make.

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

Essential, 20 May 2007
This book may not top you Christmas wish list but it is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, executives and business people alike. Richard weaves his craft and translates years of first hand experience into a highly readable, enjoyable and, most importantly, understandable read. I have applied many of the recommendations in this book to my own scenarios and the results have been instantaneous. No longer do I fear the darkest realms of the financial departments, analysts or executives - this book has provided with the insight, weapons and strategy to battle upon an even keel. This book could be the greatest investment you ever make.

Somehow disappointing., 03 Mar 2001
This book is now outdated (written in 1995) and there has been a lot of changes in the MBA application process over the last years. I would even say that this book can be misleading! Be cautious. Also, do not expect any specific advice targeted for European applicants since this book has been written for an American audience. It is a bit frustrating..

Does anyone think it funny, 31 Aug 1999
Does anyone think it funny that most of the reviews here contain spelling and grammar errors? I'm making more money than any of the MBAs that have commented here, and I never graduated from college! Spare yourself the book and the cost of an MBA, and learn Peoplesoft or SAP.

Wish I had this when I applied, 12 Aug 1999
This book is very thorough and very in-depth. I wish I had this when I was getting into B-School. Of course, I also advise that you understand where you want to go with your career by getting your MBA. This will let you know what concentration you want, and even if MBA is right for you. I'd recommend Vault Report's Guide to Top 50 MBA Employers. It's fairly thorough, though I wish there were more companies covered. They also publish all of this info on their site (vaultreports.com). Save you some moolah. Peterson's Guide to B-Schools is pretty good for general info on B-Schools, but fairly dry.

Nothing New, 08 Aug 1999
Don't waste you time Unless you have a minimum GPA of 3.45 from a top school, GMAT in the mid 650+, and Executive job experience. This book provides the basics assuming that you have the above. I question the experience other readers are claiming to have with this book. For starters if you're at this level of the game this book may just tickle your ego. But be prepared a huge assumption on your part is made that you are already one of the players. And trust me you would know if your one of these people.

If you dont know anything this book is for you!, 04 Aug 1999
This book is great if you don't have a clue. Many of the tips are not exactly what I would call the insiders guide for getting into a top MBA program. Things not to forget are Executive job experience and that record setting GMAT score. No job experience or never held a top management position you say!? Well then you had better be some kind of business prodigy that can laugh while taking the GMAT. However the book did have numerous essays and examples of accepted applicants. This book was also easy reading and can be read in less than two days. Because I felt the book was just a rehash of other material floating around I only gave it a 3.

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

Essential, 20 May 2007
This book may not top you Christmas wish list but it is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, executives and business people alike. Richard weaves his craft and translates years of first hand experience into a highly readable, enjoyable and, most importantly, understandable read. I have applied many of the recommendations in this book to my own scenarios and the results have been instantaneous. No longer do I fear the darkest realms of the financial departments, analysts or executives - this book has provided with the insight, weapons and strategy to battle upon an even keel. This book could be the greatest investment you ever make.

Somehow disappointing., 03 Mar 2001
This book is now outdated (written in 1995) and there has been a lot of changes in the MBA application process over the last years. I would even say that this book can be misleading! Be cautious. Also, do not expect any specific advice targeted for European applicants since this book has been written for an American audience. It is a bit frustrating..

Does anyone think it funny, 31 Aug 1999
Does anyone think it funny that most of the reviews here contain spelling and grammar errors? I'm making more money than any of the MBAs that have commented here, and I never graduated from college! Spare yourself the book and the cost of an MBA, and learn Peoplesoft or SAP.

Wish I had this when I applied, 12 Aug 1999
This book is very thorough and very in-depth. I wish I had this when I was getting into B-School. Of course, I also advise that you understand where you want to go with your career by getting your MBA. This will let you know what concentration you want, and even if MBA is right for you. I'd recommend Vault Report's Guide to Top 50 MBA Employers. It's fairly thorough, though I wish there were more companies covered. They also publish all of this info on their site (vaultreports.com). Save you some moolah. Peterson's Guide to B-Schools is pretty good for general info on B-Schools, but fairly dry.

Nothing New, 08 Aug 1999
Don't waste you time Unless you have a minimum GPA of 3.45 from a top school, GMAT in the mid 650+, and Executive job experience. This book provides the basics assuming that you have the above. I question the experience other readers are claiming to have with this book. For starters if you're at this level of the game this book may just tickle your ego. But be prepared a huge assumption on your part is made that you are already one of the players. And trust me you would know if your one of these people.

If you dont know anything this book is for you!, 04 Aug 1999
This book is great if you don't have a clue. Many of the tips are not exactly what I would call the insiders guide for getting into a top MBA program. Things not to forget are Executive job experience and that record setting GMAT score. No job experience or never held a top management position you say!? Well then you had better be some kind of business prodigy that can laugh while taking the GMAT. However the book did have numerous essays and examples of accepted applicants. This book was also easy reading and can be read in less than two days. Because I felt the book was just a rehash of other material floating around I only gave it a 3.

Highly Recommended!!, 26 Aug 2008
Having contemplated buying this book i can safely say it is definately an invaluable book whether your already working in the financial industry, an undergraduate (such as myself) or just have an interest in understanding the murky world that it the city.

Chapters focus on specific FT articles with detailed analysis to decipher technical jargon and key terms. For myself the best feature of the book is the fact that the author Kevin Boakes provides an insider's view and self-review questions which provides the opportunity for self-study and a crucial book for reference ahead of lectures and exams.

Finally there are Boakes provides web-based activities and online web content to support the publication as well as downloadable podcasts, which is a welcomed changed for students who wish to use a variety of web-based and other media rather than be restricted to to written texts

If your hestitating aobut buying this book dont, its a must have if your considering a career in finance or business related area.

Understand financial jargon!, 14 Mar 2008
If you have ever opened up the financial times and felt overwhelmed by all the jargon then this book is for you. This book will give you a short introduction to a number of major topics in the financial world, such as mergers and acquisitions and private equity. In the process of giving you this quick introduction the author will also equip you with all the tools you need to do further reading on that topic. This is done by explaining all the relevant jargon and referring you to other resources which will further expand your understanding.

The book is split up into a number of bite size chapters, none of which take more than an hour to read. Each chapter begins with a couple of articles on a given topic, taken directly from the financial times. Following this the author "translates" this text into plain English, explaining and defining all the relevant jargon in the process. At the end of each chapter a number of textbook style questions and practical exercises are provided, along with a list of further reading. Links to the author's excellent podcast are also provided.

This book is useful not only to those wishing to quickly learn how to read and understand the financial times (as the title suggests), but also to those looking for a concise introduction to the workings of the financial world. Knowledge gleaned from reading this book would also prove very useful to students applying for jobs in the city.



Excellent book!, 13 Mar 2008
This book played an instrumental role in landing me various placements at international law firms. As a law student my exposure to the business and commercial world was not extensive enough to cater for the "commercial awareness" demands of corporate law firms, but this book helped me grasp the key concepts of business and finance and be able to talk about them. The use of real-life articles and frequent examples demonstrating the key ideas is really helpful when applying the ideas to new situations, as was required in the interviews. The books is also very easy to read, maintaining the reader's interest unlike some of the more heavy-going textbooks in this area. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs to learn about the corporate world, the interplay between the different professional sectors (for example business and law) or even those who wish to develop their understanding of business. Fantastic!

Broaden your understanding of the Finance World, 03 Mar 2008
As a BA Accounting and Finance student, this book is amazing and has helped me revise for my finance module with much ease. This book is ideal for any student who is currently studying Finance, someone who works in Finance, or someone who is just new to the FT. It has articles which relate to each topic helping you understand the topic better. Also a great way to revise as the examples trigger the memory! After each article Kevin has analysed the article giving you a broader understanding of the article. All the FT terms that are important are then defined. Again, easier to memorise in exams as you can associate each definition with the article this also allows you to provide examples in the exam, increasing your chance of a better mark. The book also contains questions and involves loads of different resources for additional learning such as web, books, FT and podcasts. I personally enjoy the podcasts, and think it's a great tool for revising, it's like having a lecturer in front of you, also you can listen to the podcast anywhere. Kevin has created a podcast for each topic, so it's a great way to recap the topic. It also has a glossary, so its like carrying a small dictionary, as it provides a quick reference to all definitions, which is ideal when reading through the FT.

The book overall is a great way for learning, it uses various different ways to broaden your understanding of the Finance world whilst being concise and most importantly easy to carry!

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

Essential, 20 May 2007
This book may not top you Christmas wish list but it is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, executives and business people alike. Richard weaves his craft and translates years of first hand experience into a highly readable, enjoyable and, most importantly, understandable read. I have applied many of the recommendations in this book to my own scenarios and the results have been instantaneous. No longer do I fear the darkest realms of the financial departments, analysts or executives - this book has provided with the insight, weapons and strategy to battle upon an even keel. This book could be the greatest investment you ever make.

Somehow disappointing., 03 Mar 2001
This book is now outdated (written in 1995) and there has been a lot of changes in the MBA application process over the last years. I would even say that this book can be misleading! Be cautious. Also, do not expect any specific advice targeted for European applicants since this book has been written for an American audience. It is a bit frustrating..

Does anyone think it funny, 31 Aug 1999
Does anyone think it funny that most of the reviews here contain spelling and grammar errors? I'm making more money than any of the MBAs that have commented here, and I never graduated from college! Spare yourself the book and the cost of an MBA, and learn Peoplesoft or SAP.

Wish I had this when I applied, 12 Aug 1999
This book is very thorough and very in-depth. I wish I had this when I was getting into B-School. Of course, I also advise that you understand where you want to go with your career by getting your MBA. This will let you know what concentration you want, and even if MBA is right for you. I'd recommend Vault Report's Guide to Top 50 MBA Employers. It's fairly thorough, though I wish there were more companies covered. They also publish all of this info on their site (vaultreports.com). Save you some moolah. Peterson's Guide to B-Schools is pretty good for general info on B-Schools, but fairly dry.

Nothing New, 08 Aug 1999
Don't waste you time Unless you have a minimum GPA of 3.45 from a top school, GMAT in the mid 650+, and Executive job experience. This book provides the basics assuming that you have the above. I question the experience other readers are claiming to have with this book. For starters if you're at this level of the game this book may just tickle your ego. But be prepared a huge assumption on your part is made that you are already one of the players. And trust me you would know if your one of these people.

If you dont know anything this book is for you!, 04 Aug 1999
This book is great if you don't have a clue. Many of the tips are not exactly what I would call the insiders guide for getting into a top MBA program. Things not to forget are Executive job experience and that record setting GMAT score. No job experience or never held a top management position you say!? Well then you had better be some kind of business prodigy that can laugh while taking the GMAT. However the book did have numerous essays and examples of accepted applicants. This book was also easy reading and can be read in less than two days. Because I felt the book was just a rehash of other material floating around I only gave it a 3.

Highly Recommended!!, 26 Aug 2008
Having contemplated buying this book i can safely say it is definately an invaluable book whether your already working in the financial industry, an undergraduate (such as myself) or just have an interest in understanding the murky world that it the city.

Chapters focus on specific FT articles with detailed analysis to decipher technical jargon and key terms. For myself the best feature of the book is the fact that the author Kevin Boakes provides an insider's view and self-review questions which provides the opportunity for self-study and a crucial book for reference ahead of lectures and exams.

Finally there are Boakes provides web-based activities and online web content to support the publication as well as downloadable podcasts, which is a welcomed changed for students who wish to use a variety of web-based and other media rather than be restricted to to written texts

If your hestitating aobut buying this book dont, its a must have if your considering a career in finance or business related area.

Understand financial jargon!, 14 Mar 2008
If you have ever opened up the financial times and felt overwhelmed by all the jargon then this book is for you. This book will give you a short introduction to a number of major topics in the financial world, such as mergers and acquisitions and private equity. In the process of giving you this quick introduction the author will also equip you with all the tools you need to do further reading on that topic. This is done by explaining all the relevant jargon and referring you to other resources which will further expand your understanding.

The book is split up into a number of bite size chapters, none of which take more than an hour to read. Each chapter begins with a couple of articles on a given topic, taken directly from the financial times. Following this the author "translates" this text into plain English, explaining and defining all the relevant jargon in the process. At the end of each chapter a number of textbook style questions and practical exercises are provided, along with a list of further reading. Links to the author's excellent podcast are also provided.

This book is useful not only to those wishing to quickly learn how to read and understand the financial times (as the title suggests), but also to those looking for a concise introduction to the workings of the financial world. Knowledge gleaned from reading this book would also prove very useful to students applying for jobs in the city.



Excellent book!, 13 Mar 2008
This book played an instrumental role in landing me various placements at international law firms. As a law student my exposure to the business and commercial world was not extensive enough to cater for the "commercial awareness" demands of corporate law firms, but this book helped me grasp the key concepts of business and finance and be able to talk about them. The use of real-life articles and frequent examples demonstrating the key ideas is really helpful when applying the ideas to new situations, as was required in the interviews. The books is also very easy to read, maintaining the reader's interest unlike some of the more heavy-going textbooks in this area. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs to learn about the corporate world, the interplay between the different professional sectors (for example business and law) or even those who wish to develop their understanding of business. Fantastic!

Broaden your understanding of the Finance World, 03 Mar 2008
As a BA Accounting and Finance student, this book is amazing and has helped me revise for my finance module with much ease. This book is ideal for any student who is currently studying Finance, someone who works in Finance, or someone who is just new to the FT. It has articles which relate to each topic helping you understand the topic better. Also a great way to revise as the examples trigger the memory! After each article Kevin has analysed the article giving you a broader understanding of the article. All the FT terms that are important are then defined. Again, easier to memorise in exams as you can associate each definition with the article this also allows you to provide examples in the exam, increasing your chance of a better mark. The book also contains questions and involves loads of different resources for additional learning such as web, books, FT and podcasts. I personally enjoy the podcasts, and think it's a great tool for revising, it's like having a lecturer in front of you, also you can listen to the podcast anywhere. Kevin has created a podcast for each topic, so it's a great way to recap the topic. It also has a glossary, so its like carrying a small dictionary, as it provides a quick reference to all definitions, which is ideal when reading through the FT.

The book overall is a great way for learning, it uses various different ways to broaden your understanding of the Finance world whilst being concise and most importantly easy to carry!

Very poor - not worth the paper it's printed on, 05 Oct 2008
This really is a very poorly written book with inadequate "plagarisms" and poorly sketched diagrams taken from other sources. You will get more information and more insight from wikipedia than this book.

A previous reviewer said "it felt like reading the lesson notes from a student". That's pretty accurate, although the quote needs qualifying: a D grade student.

The authors demonstrate their lack of understanding and lack of experience in applying these models in practice. The authors are "independent consultants". I now know what "independent consultant" means: unemployed and unemployable. This quality of work is what gives "consultants" a bad name.

This book should not have been published. AVOID.

If you came to this review, then you should get this book instead: Key Management Models (Financial Times Series)

Quick Reference Guide, 06 Jul 2007
As an organisational strategist, I found this book very useful on occasions when new dilemmas crop up, a quick flip through the book reminds of me the models I once used and forgot about. Its a great Aide memoir and sign post to support material.

I would caution others in saying that its not an academic book.

The book simply and effectively provides you with enough information to help you decide if the model is useful for your current situation, once you have selected your model you will need to get additional understanding from the references they provide.

I keep this on my desk all the time. Great little resource, well presented and to the point.



Good overview of basic concepts, 15 Apr 2007
When you are studying for an MBA you need a quick accessible guide to the parts of the curriculum you are going to be tested upon. This book does just that and allows time for further learning in the areas that you need further help with. Was excellent with study group to find relevant theories with a good overview to help you out. A very well structured book that helped me through my first year and is still relevant in the second year of study.

Limited usability, 28 Dec 2003
I bought the book with the expectation to see the connection between various modules within an MBA, which is how the book is positioned.

I was somewhat disappointed by the quality of the presentation, especially on the presentation of the comparisons between the models and how they fit together. I felt like reading the lesson notes from a student that have taken the courses and made a few observations about similarities between the different subjects within an MBA program.

If you need a summary of models that are common within an MBA program, you might get some value out of this book. If you try to learn more about the relationships between the models from this book, you might feel disappointed as I did.

Good Theory,But Don't Forget Reality!, 20 Jul 2001
This book is a very good compilation of MBA-taught management models and as such deserves praise. However, we all know that many such models are better on paper than in practice. As an industry veteran, I suggest that MBA students also read about the reality of workplace interactions, employees' point of view and what consititutes counterproductive management behavior. In this respect there is no better way to learn a lesson than through a touch of satirical humor written by an author with experience. And the book, "MANAGEMENT BY VICE" certainly fulfils all the necessary criteria. Give it a go! I guarantee that between laughs, you'll see some of the pitfalls to avoid when studying good management models, for "Management by Vice" adds a refreshing dose of reality to this summary of theoretical "MBA Management Models".

A good intermediate finance book, 20 Nov 2003
Although a little long-winded in places, this is a good reference book for anyone wanting a slightly more than basic understanding of various corporate finance concepts, talking about derivatives, hedges, ratios etc. It was certainly useful to me obtaining an A in a module in it at university!

Making corporate finance understandable!, 20 Jul 2000
Economics and finance are not the easiest subjects to understand (well not for me anyway! ). Having looked at all the US finance texts, most of which ressemble the London phone book, it was a relief to find a book that explains the principles of finance in an easy to understand fashion and that gradually introduces you to the more advanced topics. The chapters flow in a logical manner and I found myself almost enjoying studying finance! Finding a book that balances readability and depth is often hard but this book does.

This is not an MBA BUT it is a good primer, 13 Nov 2008
OK all the carping and caveats to one side; NO it wont give you enough to get a MBA; YES it is US centric; and YES this was probably a MBA project for the author; IT IS STILL a good book.

If you want a primer for MBA study or even just a casual skim over business functionality, it will help you; and it is a lot cheaper than a MBA!

A very good book if you wonder what MBA is all about, 06 Jun 2008
I recommend this book to everyone who wonders what MBA is all about. The chapters are small and not really boring. Language is excellent - it makes you feel reading forward. The book very concisely describes what are different segments taught in business schools. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about MBA. This books nearly answered all of my basic MBA queries.

Another book to read before you start your MBA, 10 May 2008
A fantastic primer for your MBA - a little too American for my personal taste in that examples et cetera are US companies but a really good overview of the type of topics to be covered.
Get this book and go through the 10-day process and you'll already be ahead in your first lessons on an MBA - useful for revision purposes too!

very well written and excellent information, 27 Apr 2008
One of the best books I have read. Learnt so much and it is very well written, complex ideas are understood very easily.

-, 21 Apr 2006
I'll agree with K Bert to a point. However I started my MBA on the Open University a few months ago and read this book a few months before and actually found it a nice introduction.

Granted it can't cover every topic in massive detail, but what it does give you is a nice framework for (what I assume to be from what I've studied so far) an entire MBA, granted possibly one in the US. However most of it is pretty identical so far.

For the price I'd recommend anyone contemplating buying this book to do so, I found it very useful, well written and quite easy going.

Unleashing the power of Excel in Corporate Finance!!, 22 Sep 2007
In 2001, I was working for an investment bank in London where I was trying to come up with a consistent framework for my Excel models as applied to everyday corporate finance issues. My boss showed me this book he'd recently purchased in the High Street that set out a standardised methodology for developing models and unleashing the power of Excel. This book was Day's first edition and I had to have it but for some reason it slipped off my book purchase list. Try as I might, I was unable to find a copy these last six years (mainly because I'd forgotten the title & author!!).

Anyhow, I finally tracked the book down (completely by accident) together with its counterpart "Mastering Financial Mathematics" recently on a trip back to London. This book is great for those seeking to develop intuitive models that are likely to endure and serve the needs of the business. The corporate finance theory is kept (deliberately) a bare minimum as the focus is on structuring a consistent framework that maximises the presentational aspects of modelling and at the same time minimises the potential for errors. The model templates serve as a springboard for in-house customization and the techniques used are both simple and intuitive.

Although there may be superior Excel modelling books out there, I believe Day has truely laid out the stage for the common or accidental modelling analyst to deliver high impact corporate finance presentations using Excel.

Highly recommended!!

Concise and logical, 03 Oct 2007
This book covers all the aspects of an MBA application process such as
marketing to adcom, managing referees, who the various stakeholders in the admission process are, the need for personal and professional profile analysis etc.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for recognizing ones strengths and values before the application process rather than trying to fit the mold of a particular school.
I would recommend it to anybody planning to pursue an MBA.

Well written and full of insights, 22 Dec 2006
The book is dedicated towards tackling essays which is an area which many (including me) struggle with. The book repeatedly emphasises the impt of marketing oneself through the application campaign. It does an excellent job in this respect as it is filled with insights such as personality profiling, extracting themes and mapping these themes into the essays. Comprehensive summary of question types (author identified 10). Question types were very useful summaries to get handle of questions. Full of useful self-marketing tips such as creating our own memorable labels to insert into the essays.

I wish i had read the book earlier! This book certainly stands out among the crowd of books on the subject.

Fantastic. Well-written and very helpful, 21 Oct 2006
I highly recommmend this book. It is one of the newest MBA admissions strategy offerings, so I figure the info is up-to-date. The 22 specific attributes, and the way they fall on the diagram of 4 general attributes have been very helpful to me in writing my essays. Also the essay archetypes saved a lot of time. The real surprise though is that this book is enjoyable to read. I have reread some sections several times, the advice is logical and nuanced.

It'll make the difference between good and great ..., 12 Mar 2006
A great GMAT score on its own won't get you into a top business school, an average one makes it even harder (but not impossible) - your essays make all the difference!

I really enjoyed this book and its practical advice and guidance really helped. I'm off to an Ivy League school in the states this year, down in no small part to essays written after reading this book : )

BUY IT!

Essential, 20 May 2007
This book may not top you Christmas wish list but it is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, executives and business people alike. Richard weaves his craft and translates years of first hand experience into a highly readable, enjoyable and, most importantly, understandable read. I have applied many of the recommendations in this book to my own scenarios and the results have been instantaneous. No longer do I fear the darkest realms of the financial departments, analysts or executives - this book has provided with the insight, weapons and strategy to battle upon an even keel. This book could be the greatest investment you ever make.

Somehow disappointing., 03 Mar 2001
This book is now outdated (written in 1995) and there has been a lot of changes in the MBA application process over the last years. I would even say that this book can be misleading! Be cautious. Also, do not expect any specific advice targeted for European applicants since this book has been written for an American audience. It is a bit frustrating..

Does anyone think it funny, 31 Aug 1999
Does anyone think it funny that most of the reviews here contain spelling and grammar errors? I'm making more money than any of the MBAs that have commented here, and I never graduated from college! Spare yourself the book and the cost of an MBA, and learn Peoplesoft or SAP.

Wish I had this when I applied, 12 Aug 1999
This book is very thorough and very in-depth. I wish I had this when I was getting into B-School. Of course, I also advise that you understand where you want to go with your career by getting your MBA. This will let you know what concentration you want, and even if MBA is right for you. I'd recommend Vault Report's Guide to Top 50 MBA Employers. It's fairly thorough, though I wish there were more companies covered. They also publish all of this info on their site (vaultreports.com). Save you some moolah. Peterson's Guide to B-Schools is pretty good for general info on B-Schools, but fairly dry.

Nothing New, 08 Aug 1999
Don't waste you time Unless you have a minimum GPA of 3.45 from a top school, GMAT in the mid 650+, and Executive job experience. This book provides the basics assuming that you have the above. I question the experience other readers are claiming to have with this book. For starters if you're at this level of the game this book may just tickle your ego. But be prepared a huge assumption on your part is made that you are already one of the players. And trust me you would know if your one of these people.

If you dont know anything this book is for you!, 04 Aug 1999
This book is great if you don't have a clue. Many of the tips are not exactly what I would call the insiders guide for getting into a top MBA program. Things not to forget are Executive job experience and that record setting GMAT score. No job experience or never held a top management position you say!? Well then you had better be some kind of business prodigy that can laugh while taking the GMAT. However the book did have numerous essays and examples of accepted applicants. This book was also easy reading and can be read in less than two days. Because I felt the book was just a rehash of other material floating around I only gave it a 3.

Highly Recommended!!, 26 Aug 2008
Having contemplated buying this book i can safely say it is definately an invaluable book whether your already working in the financial industry, an undergraduate (such as myself) or just have an interest in understanding the murky world that it the city.

Chapters focus on specific FT articles with detailed analysis to decipher technical jargon and key terms. For myself the best feature of the book is the fact that the author Kevin Boakes provides an insider's view and self-review questions which provides the opportunity for self-study and a crucial book for reference ahead of lectures and exams.

Finally there are Boakes provides web-based activities and online web content to support the publication as well as downloadable podcasts, which is a welcomed changed for students who wish to use a variety of web-based and other media rather than be restricted to to written texts

If your hestitating aobut buying this book dont, its a must have if your considering a career in finance or business related area.

Understand financial jargon!, 14 Mar 2008
If you have ever opened up the financial times and felt overwhelmed by all the jargon then this book is for you. This book will give you a short introduction to a number of major topics in the financial world, such as mergers and acquisitions and private equity. In the process of giving you this quick introduction the author will also equip you with all the tools you need to do further reading on that topic. This is done by explaining all the relevant jargon and referring you to other resources which will further expand your understanding.

The book is split up into a number of bite size chapters, none of which take more than an hour to read. Each chapter begins with a couple of articles on a given topic, taken directly from the financial times. Following this the author "translates" this text into plain English, explaining and defining all the relevant jargon in the process. At the end of each chapter a number of textbook style questions and practical exercises are provided, along with a list of further reading. Links to the author's excellent podcast are also provided.

This book is useful not only to those wishing to quickly learn how to read and understand the financial times (as the title suggests), but also to those looking for a concise introduction to the workings of the financial world. Knowledge gleaned from reading this book would also prove very useful to students applying for jobs in the city.



Excellent book!, 13 Mar 2008
This book played an instrumental role in landing me various placements at international law firms. As a law student my exposure to the business and commercial world was not extensive enough to cater for the "commercial awareness" demands of corporate law firms, but this book helped me grasp the key concepts of business and finance and be able to talk about them. The use of real-life articles and frequent examples demonstrating the key ideas is really helpful when applying the ideas to new situations, as was required in the interviews. The books is also very easy to read, maintaining the reader's interest unlike some of the more heavy-going textbooks in this area. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs to learn about the corporate world, the interplay between the different professional sectors (for example business and law) or even those who wish to develop their understanding of business. Fantastic!

Broaden your understanding of the Finance World, 03 Mar 2008
As a BA Accounting and Finance student, this book is amazing and has helped me revise for my finance module with much ease. This book is ideal for any student who is currently studying Finance, someone who works in Finance, or someone who is just new to the FT. It has articles which relate to each topic helping you understand the topic better. Also a great way to revise as the examples trigger the memory! After each article Kevin has analysed the artic