For most business operations, the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” does not apply. In an ever-changing business environment, it’s NEVER completely right, and too often dangerously wrong.  

So what does every executive, change agent, and serious student of business need to know?

It IS broke. Fix It! The Comprehensive Business Improvement Toolkit is available in perfect-bound soft cover or as a print-it-yourself 236 - page reference book with 14 powerful Excel tools to help you with the hard work of fixing any business.

• It starts with text and Excel survey instruments to apply the Vision Tool TM, designed to create a clear vision of how your company works and what it's trying to accomplish - its business model, systems for management, and operating processes.
• In that context, you can begin to apply the business framework and tools of lean/six sigma to resolve quality and efficiency problems wherever they occur, again with a generous set of Excel tools.
• These fundamental tools are often brought to bear using kaizen (rapid improvement) events, and detailed process analysis, both thoroughly explained and supported in accompanying Excel workbooks.
• Business improvements aren't free, so every decision-maker needs to understand the rudiments of finance. Three sections deal with the financial implications:
  • An overview of financial statements, and a powerful Excel tool for entrepreneurs for creating a quick financial projection for a business.

  • A set of financial decision-support tools, also fully explained and provided in Excel.

  • A full description of a bullet-proof business case accompanied by the Excel tools to create it.

• A description of metrics, how to create and apply them to ensure improvements stick.
• A chapter, and Excel forms, on reviewing initiatives, to avoid wasting resources 'boiling the ocean.'
• Decision tools (decision trees and linear programming) to help clarify and quantify decision options.
• A light touch (just enough) about several heavy mathematical concepts.
• An overview of how large integrated systems support business, to ensure the role and methods of information management are folded into improvement efforts.
• A chapter about change management - how to get the team on board regardless of perceptions, emotions and politics.

The book is formatted for printing (see a page example) in Word 2010, 205 pages, black and white. It is accompanied by a set of 14 distinct tools, referenced in the book and with full instructions in Excel. Several of the files use Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) requiring that Macros be enabled to use them fully. Only one (Business Case) relies on VBA for its functions; all of the others are enhanced by VBA but effective without it. Since VBA does not run on Apple computers, the Business Case tool will not work on an Apple.