HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers

Transform cash management from theory to practice. Learn why profitable companies run out of cash, how to accelerate collections and optimize inventory, and proven techniques for generating cash from operations—skills that directly impact your department's financial flexibility.

Uncover hidden profit drains destroying your margins. Learn to identify unprofitable products and customers, eliminate complexity without compromising service, and boost return on invested capital through strategic simplification—making tough decisions about what to stop doing.

Build compelling business cases and measure what matters. Master NPV, IRR, and payback analysis to justify investments, implement balanced metrics that prevent gaming, and recognize early warning signs that financial statements miss—avoiding the traps that sink successful companies.