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Author of cult classics The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur offers a simple, counterintuitive cash management solution that will help small businesses break out of the doom spiral and achieve instant profitability.
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.
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).
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Customer Reviews
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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!
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
Customers say
Customers find the book provides useful information and a practical approach to business finances. They find it easy to understand and implement, with clear steps to follow. Many readers consider it a worthwhile purchase that helps them make a healthy profit. The author’s humor and relatable storytelling make the book enjoyable to read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
remnarc –
Game-Changer for Small Business Finances!
Profit First is hands down one of the most impactful books for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Mike Michalowicz breaks down financial management into a simple, actionable system that ensures you pay yourself firstârather than waiting to see what’s left over.The biggest takeaway? Stop running your business check-to-check and start prioritizing profit. The step-by-step approach makes budgeting easy to follow, and the psychology behind the method is eye-opening. Implementing Profit First has helped me gain control over cash flow, reduce financial stress, and actually see my business grow sustainably.If you’re struggling to make sense of your business finances or feel like you’re working too hard for too little return, this book is a must-read. Practical, engaging, and truly transformative!
Brent –
A Financial Revolution for Business Owners and : MY 2nd Copy!!
Mike 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 approachâa 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 profitâa transformative concept in the world of business.The Profit First formula is straightforward yet profoundly impactfulâa 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!!
Corey –
Game-Changer for Small Business Owners!
Profit First completely changed the way I manage my business finances. Mike Michalowicz breaks down cash flow in a way thatâs easy to understand and implement. The system forces you to prioritize profit by allocating money into separate accounts, ensuring you always have enough for taxes, expenses, and, most importantly, paying yourself!Since adopting this method, Iâve gained better financial control, reduced stress, and actually started seeing real profits. The book is engaging, with humor and real-world examples that make financial management feel doableâeven for those who hate numbers.If youâre a business owner struggling with cash flow, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!
ddidit –
A Good Read Book
This was a good read. Very informative.
SanDiegoMama –
Profit First Made a Difference
Update: May 11, 2019 ***I was just browsing Amazon and came across this book again. I thought it would be helpful to give an update. My first review was probably October 2018. The advice / method in the book really worked for us and it has helped us so much that I tell every business owner about the method.I went back and reread the book in December to make sure we were doing it right. We were but we tweaked some things in Feb. (Like I take profit out every month – 100% of what I saved) We still do our cash flow and pay bills 3 times a week – doesn’t work for us to do it 2 times a month. Too many bills since we do a lot of manufacturing. Although we are now starting to get ahead of bills by a week or two so when that happens we reduce how often we sit and do cash flow and pay bills.We started out doing 3% profit and now were are up to 8.5%For the first time ever I wasn’t angry about paying taxes. Having a separate account to save for that is brilliant. We save for end of year taxes, payroll taxes and estimated taxes. We had $8000 or $9000 extra in the account after April 15 so we moved that money to pay off our Line of Credit (taken out a few years ago when we owed so much in taxes and had not saved)I don’t wake up with the sick feeling every day wondering if enough money is coming in to pay the bills.We made some other changes to stop the roller coaster since we do manufacturing we get a lot of money in and then a lot of money out.We pay payroll every week – not every 2 weeks.We moved other things to pay once a week instead of every month or 2 weeks. Justhelps us (having payroll taxes in another account that is saved for helps as well since that was a big expense once a month)Personally we also set up accounts differently. I pay my car payment once a week (1/4th of a payment), my line of credit also once a week. I also put in 1/4 of my mortgage into a savings account since they only let me pay them once a month. All of that reduces strain and the roller coaster balances.Union bank is trying to charge me fees for so many transfers per month. I’ve been in talks with them as I’m not happy that they are charging me when it is in between my own accounts and it isn’t a cost to them however since we are far more stable and profitable now, I am starting to reduce how often I transfer the funds out of income into Profit 1, Taxes, Sales Tax, Profit 2 (college account) and then to Operating expenses. It was every day before but now we are getting down to 2 times a week.Hope this helps! By the way, I’m still shocked it works or makes a difference. I thought we were frugal before so I’m not sure how we are seeing more profit but we are.______My husband and I have had a business for over 14 years. We first read and started implementing the plan in the book about 2 weeks ago. I found the book helpful. 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 into an operating expense account. We used to take an owners draw when we had a large positive swing in cash flow. Later we’d be scrambling to pay payroll or sales tax . Now I feel like I have a bit more control over our income and expenses. Basic premise is about changing human behavior. When you make more you tend to spend more. You wonder where the cash went at the end of the year and you’re upset that you owe a lot in taxes and dont’ have the money. Overall I feel like we have a better pulse on our cash flow and can do something immediately if we notice that it has dropped too far. The Author recommends doing bills on the 10th and 25th. I think that might work for us in 6 months or a year but for now 2 times a week is better while we get things back under control. Hope to finally get into a habit of once a week in the next month. We pay ourselves and our employees once a week now because it made cash flow more even and our employees appreciate seeing a check once a week too.Dont’ expect the author to be. an accounting genius – you’ll be disappointed however the ideas he has come up with do seem to help. It is about human behavior and changing it by putting some checks and balances in place.
Arabella –
Mum bought this book and she reckons itâs pretty good.Itâs a cash flow system for people who love business but need some help setting up a cash flow system to help them maximize the profit from the business they love running without causing them stress.Worth a read for small and medium business owners.
Shashank –
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.
Fancyface –
Haven’t read the book yet as it just arrived. I think the quality is poor for the high cost. The packaging was also poor, had torn parts (was a poor quality envelope) and the outside of the binding got dented as a result. The binding also isn’t good. One of the pages looks like it was glued in by hand. The pages are cream in color. The cover of the book isn’t printed on the book; instead, the cover itself is white with the cover being a removable paper. I am hoping that the contents will be good. I’ll review the contents after I have read the book.
Ruben Robinson –
This book was recommended to me by a very successful friend of mine. He told me 5 of his most favourite books for business and this one was the one he mentioned first.While itâs compact and goes into a fair amount of detail, it is still easy to follow and makes a lot of sense. Anyone who owns their own business will get something from reading this book. Itâs insightful, motivational and a overall entertaining book to read.
Leen –
Dank der Sichtweise und genauer Vorgehensvorschläge von Mike im Buch konnte ich nach jahrelangem Ausprobieren, Schimpfen und Stressen mein Unternehmen finanziell gesund pflegen! Und das ist auch gar nicht schwierig mit den vielen Ansätze aus dem Buch, ich war nur als nicht BWL-er nicht darauf gekommen. Absolut empfehlenswert!