Great Myths of Business

William Davis must be one of the few business writers who is well qualified to challenge popular views on business. A self-made millionaire, his vast business experience enables him to write with real authority and insight here.

By taking an incisive swipe at the management gurus, bean counters, theorists and economists alike, he cuts through the fashionable myths they create and nurture. He shows us why it is important to challenge the so-called 'experts' and not to accept at face value their self-serving theories.

Provocative and stimulating, Great Myths of Business leaves no myth uncovered. William Davis daringly exposes the ever-perpetuating myths and the latest fads, such as:

• gurus have all the answers
• banks know best
• financial geniuses can make you rich
• numbers don't lie
• bigger is better
• small is beautiful
• business ethics are a luxury
• cost-cutting is the best route to profitability
• the future lies in the global market-place
• corporate supermen are infallible

Anyone interested in how businesses are run, whether as a participant or an observer, will find William Davis's book a compelling read. Irreverant, controversial and vigorous, Great Myths of Business will influence the way we all view or do business today.

1. Popular Myths
• If someone gains, someone else loses
• To reward people equally is to treat them fairly
• Wages can be increased substantially without affecting prices or employment
• The government has to pay its debts, just as you and I do
• State-owned industries belong to the people
• The world is running out of oil and raw materials
• Banks are as safe as houses
• Success will make you free
2. The Myth that Gurus have all the Answers
• Guru-speak
• Getting it wrong
• The consultancy game
3. The Myth of the Expert MBA
• Class act
4. The Myth that Economics reflects Reality
• History
• The problem with economics
5. The Myth that Numbers don't Lie
• Playing the numbers game
• Counting the beans
6. The Myth that Ethics don't matter
• Corporate fraud
• Window dressing
• The stakeholder myth
7. The Myth of the Happy Business Family
• The battleground
• Backs to the wall
8. The Myth of the Corporate Superman
• The public sector
• The private sector
• Leadership
9. The Myth of the Omnipotent Board
• Pay
• Shareholders and stakeholders
• Dubious behaviour
10. The Myth that Bigger is Better
• Bids and mergers
• Conglomerates
• People count
11. The Myth that 'Small is Beautiful'
• Small is difficult
• Options
12. The Myth that Banks know Best
• Angels and Vultures
• Myths about entrepreneurs
• Less is more
13. The Myth that 'Pioneering don't Pay'
• Information
14. The Myth of the 'Global Marketplace'
• Think global, act local
• Divided Europe
15. The Myth of the Invincible Dragons
• Japan
• China and the Chinese
• Confusion down under
16. The Myth of the Information Society
• Information — a mixed blessing
• Can we trust market research?
• Fickle kings
17. The Myth of the Business 'Spokesmen'
• Who speaks for the City?
18. The Myth that Tips will Make you Rich
• Tipsters
• The importance of timing
• Financial games
• How good are bonds?
• Golden illusions
19. The Myth of the Wicked Gnomes
• Other tax havens
20. Myths about Inflation
• Beating inflation
• Another scenario
21. Myths about Age
• Changes
22. The Gender Myth
• An old problem …
• … and some solutions
23. The Bottom Line

Much that is obvious, but interestingly compiled. Gets you to re-evaluate other myths.