New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur

What's best about this book is that it gives supporting data for its claims and models. Typically, "entrepreneurship" is considered a soft skill that can't be taught or shown with data, but Roberts does this with plenty of research and supporting charts.

I think I consumed this book from a different perspective. As a repeat entrepreneur, I see what makes the technical workings of a functional business starter. I liked specifically - being able to learn from another person's mistakes - confirming what needs to be addressed before even starting a business - once in a while taking inventory (I never define success so I am never successful) - focusing on the important (and not just the urgent) I recommend this book to people in the midst of running a business (or those that can take downtime to re-read the book over the holidays). If you're travelling with the book you might want to check it because it does weigh a ton.

I require this text in my graduate New Venture course at Western Michigan University. The real life cases and fundamental concepts covered provide a great foundation for New Venture teaching. I also require my start-up consulting clients to read Chpt 1,2 & 3 along with the case study "R & R". Good way to find out if they have what it takes. I first used and enjoyed this book from the other side of the class during my MBA studies at the GSB - University of Chicago.