The IPO Playbook: An Insider's Perspective on Taking Your Company Public and How to Do It Right Hardcover – December 10, 2020

The IPO Playbook could have been a deadly dull procedural, a slog through the fine print of going public. While the book covers every single detail that IPO-goers need to understand, somehow this book is seriously readable., entertaining even. The material is leavened with personal stories and anecdotes that humanize it. Cakebread also has a knack for making the many tasks required for an IPO seem doable and more than worth the effort.Perhaps most important in a time where many entrepreneurs don't think past a quick flip or acquisition, the author eloquently makes the case that the great companies of the world are owned by shareholders. They maintain their independence and create legacies.30 years ago Mike Malone's milestone book "Going Public" tracked the MIPS Computer IPO in 1989. It toggled chapter by chapter between the actual steps and the very personal stories of how the IPO actually affected the people involved. The IPO Playbook brings all of the details up to date, as lived by the premier CFO of our era. Steve Cakebread inspires thinking big, and committing to a sky's-the-limit future for your company.

This is a drinking from the firehose book condensed into a very understandable, clear blue print. Not only does it talk about the mechanics of going public, but I really enjoyed Steve's take on how founders should internally value their business, why growth is critical and building solid finance and leadership teams pay dividends (figuratively and possibly literally), even at earlier stages.Steve is one of the most seasoned IPO CFO's on the planet, and in different industries. To get this type of information in an easy to read format is rare (so use it!). As an accountant/CPA, this should be mandated material for those trying to understand SOX impacts and systems controls.

Good reading to have a general understanding of an IPO

Loved the personal stories that were relatable and applicable to any business that is trying to scale quickly. Steve Cakebread has been part of some of the most historic growth stories in the Valley and beyond. Steve generously shares this experience, including humble insights into lessons learned.

While I pre-ordered this book weeks ago, I approached it thinking this book is only for businesses about to go public. Not, so. The chapters on Systems and Governance were outstanding and apply to any business including nonprofits.Written in the first person, the book does not read like a dull textbook. It's broken down into 12 chapters. The first 10 address before the IPO. Chapter 11 is IPO Day. The last chapter is after the IPO. The structure is certainly digestible and can be used as a guide for taking a company public.Favorite big ideas include -+ the real CFO (no, he's not critical of the business manager CFO at all)+ requirements for the finance team+ 3 critical questions to answer before going public (excellent!)+ small businesses should act like a public business+ business assessment+ a primer on when to invest in scaleable systems and which ones+ Steve's ingenious way of benchmarking with other public companies+ the 5 types of investors (very helpful)+ a 5-year plan that's actually used+ the priorities after the IPOWhile a 5-star book, here are a few suggestions for the next edition -+ pictures of the brown Buick and IPO Day at the NYSE+ an Audible version+ in the Appendix which is very helpful - add a few columns for a start date, level of complexity, and who should manageWhile this is Steve's first book, I'm betting this is not his last. This guy knows how to keep his readers engaged.

What I love about this book is that it's about more than just "how to take a company public".Steve explains how to build a valuable company and set in place the right processes and KPIs, before you go public.He also talks about how to leverage the credibility, brand recognition and new advisors and investors to continue to grow after the IPO.As a subscription and membership expert, I recommend this book highly. Too many organizations rush to the IPO without putting the right fundamentals in place to build a business that justifies a higher multiple. Steve has taken many subscription and SaaS companies public, so he really understands what it takes to build that recurring revenue model.I liked this book so much that I invited Steve to be a guest on my Subscription Stories podcast after I read it.This book is great for people in the midst of the IPO process. But it's good for a broader audience too. If you aspire to have an IPO in your company's future, or aspire to have a company that will one day go public, you should read this book

I didn't like the book too much at the start, as I found the writing not as organised as I expected. But over time I started to like the book as it offers the rare perspective of a real CFO of various ListCos. Through the author's storytelling kind of writing, I even felt excited while reading a few chapters as I could see the world/business from CFO's perspective, and the insight I gained from such experience is quite mind-broadening. One note to non-entrepreneur readers - I'm a junior corporate lawyer and I found some content in this book (such as internal finance systems and customer management systems) hard to relate as I have limited understanding on them.