Neil Francis - The Entrepreneurs Book: The crucial why questions that determine success (Concise Advice)

The Entrepreneurs Book is a fresh take on the question, What makes a successful entrepreneur? Neil writes with honesty, humour and humanity about how his recovery from a life-threatening illness led him to a host of entrepreneurs and businesspeople and their experiences of successes (and sometimes failure!).

He concludes, perhaps surprisingly, that success comes not from answering the how questions (How do I write a business plan?) but from the why questions (Why purpose and not profit? or Why will it be tough?). He illustrates the why questions with a series of delightful stories and insights learned from the people he has encountered along the way.

Id recommend this book as a must read to anyone involved in running their own business and struggling to work out their best next step.

Sir Tom Shebbeare, Chairman, Virgin Start Up

Wander round the business section of your local bookstore, Amazon or wherever and you will quickly realise that, in the field of entrepreneurship and small business development, how-to books are two a penny. The Entrepreneurs Book is refreshingly different. It addresses not the how and what of entrepreneurship but the why. In a series of vignettes covering the full start-up and business development process, Neil Francis tells the stories of successful (and not-so-successful) entrepreneurs and draws on his own experience to reflect on the values, principles and emotions on which entrepreneurial action is based. In so doing, he highlights the importance of themes such as belief, purpose, values, love, compassion, peace, loneliness, luck, trust and perseverance in entrepreneurship as a world-shaping and world-changing activity. In asking why, not telling how, The Entrepreneurs Book is a refreshing, stimulating, thought-provoking and enjoyable guide to the changing face of entrepreneurship in the 21 st century.

Professor Richard T Harrison, Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Director of the Compassionate Leadership Initiative, University of Edinburgh Business School

It is refreshing to read a book where the human side of the word entrepreneur is front and centre. All too often, todays media presents us with a skewed perspective on what being an entrepreneur is really all about. And it is not simply money ...

In this book, Neil Francis considers topics such as love and failure, not simply from an operational or functional narrative. No, Neil considers how these actually shape and form an entrepreneur on the long journey to success.

An insightful and honest 21 st century read for anyone in and around the mercurial world of entrepreneurship.

Jim Duffy MBE, Co-Founder of Entrepreneurial Spark and Author of Create Special

A book about entrepreneurship that gets to the heart of the matter values, purpose, love and fear. Neil talks about the why, without which businesses (and books) become less about creating connection and value and more about the day-to-day job and who wants one of those?

Amanda Hamilton, Best-selling Author, Nutritionist & Health Activist, Entrepreneur

One of the joys of working as a coach with CEOs is the range of decisions, opportunities, challenges and issues that are discussed. Usually the how of the issue is diagnosed first, but it is essentially in the why discussion where real value and insight is gained. It is of no real surprise to me then that The Entrepreneurs Book firmly establishes the why as its backbone, making us think beyond the norm to stretch our thinking.

But it is in the storytelling where Neil Francis excels. His reflections on the entrepreneurs he has met and his xperience caddying for executive golfers is seductive, turning each round into a story, each story into a journey and each journey into a life lesson for entrepreneurs.

A fabulous uplifting read a must for all budding, and experienced, entrepreneurs.

George Hall, Chairman, Vistage Group

Neil has a great feeling for what is relevant to entrepreneurs and making the story interesting so that the reader is genuinely engaged. Entrepreneurs in all aspects of our society become more important every day and Neils writing will help them improve.

David C Watt, Executive Director, Institute of Directors Scotland

Anyone, in any form of entrepreneurial activity, benefits hugely from an alternate view. A question, an idea, a different angle provokes a challenge to set ways and current thinking and can stimulate new inspired approaches to the way we operate. The Entrepreneurs Book offers just that: provocative questions brilliantly packaged in well-told story narratives.

Simon Tyler, In Contrast Limited, Author of The Keep It Simple Book, The Impact Book and The Attitude Book

A series of stories, reflections and observations that add some depth and meaning to the entrepreneur journey from both a business and personal point of view. I have known Neil Francis for over 40 years, and his energy, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit have been ever-constants. The insights in his book are not just those of a successful entrepreneur, or even a person constantly seeking more learning and understanding of the world around us and how we navigate it successfully, but of a thoroughly decent human being who has something to say on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Andrew Green, Partner, Senior Practice Expert, Gallup

Understanding your why is at the core of everything in life, including business. Through case studies and Neils shared experience, this book will assist any entrepreneur to ensure their business stays on track.

Russell Dalgleish, Managing Partner, Exolta Capital Partners

Purpose and heart are foundational to any successful launch effort. In The Entrepreneurs Book , Neil lives the words he writes. He powerfully shares the wisdom and experience he has gained, in life and in business, to help this next generation of entrepreneurs succeed.

Sanyin Siang, CEO Coach and Author of The Launch Book

Louise well, that was an adventure!

Massive thanks and loads of love for everything you did to help make this book become a reality.

Well, here it is, The Entrepreneurs Book. Yes, I wrote it, but boy have I had such so much help. So, huge thanks go to:

Bernie Petrie and Dougie West, who read the first draft of the manuscript.

Nicholas Hitimana, Ali Graham, Chris Wilkins, Abesh Thakur, Varun Nair and Simon Duffy for allowing me to share their stories. Also, all the many entrepreneurs I have met and the people I have caddied for.

Andy Hamilton, whose support made this book possible.

Gavin Cargill you might recognize some of the aspects of the stories!

My long-suffering GPs, Dr Clare Doldon and Dr Gabriele Sulucci! It is down to them, and to many other brilliant people in the NHS who helped me to get to the stage, after my stroke, that I could write this book.

All the people at The North Berwick Golf Club the starters, the caddies and the golfers.

The fantastic team at LID Publishing, especially Martin Liu, Sara Taheri, Liz Cooley, Matthew Renaudin and Hazel Bird.