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The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It (Audio CD)
by Michael E. Gerber
| Category:
Entrepreneurship, Small business |
| Market price: ¥ 368.00
MSL price:
¥ 348.00
[ Shop incentives ]
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
From world's #1 small business guru, this entrepreneurship classic and essential business reading is a must own for all entrepreneurs and managers. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 15 items |
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Trish Lind (T. Lind Graphics) (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
Thanks to Gerber l have freed up over three hours a day, significantly increased my sales, more than doubled my bottom line, and been able to take my first vacation in four years. |
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The John Hancock Insurance Group (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
Without a doubt, the most important message for our company over thenext decade. |
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Fortune (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
Gerber loves to exhort people to develop powerful visions for their companies. |
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Andrew Vanover (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
Gerber's big idea is that (small) business is, at the core, to "create more life for everyone who comes into contact with the business, but most of all, for you, the person who owns it" (p. 132).
When I think of a small business owner, the first thing that comes to mind is someone who is overworked, underpaid and sacrificing other parts of life to give life to the business. Hoping to own a business in the future, I do not want to be that kind of person.
Similar to Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effectively People, Gerber wants you to define the Primary Aim - of your life, and how your business will further that aim.
He makes a clear distinction between the Entrepreneur, the Manager and the Technician inside every person. The E-Myth is that a successful Technician is a successful business owner.
A working small business has systems in place that "run" the day-to-day operations. Systematizing the business reduces dependence on skilled people and instead favors teachable/trainable people. The systems are always under examination and undergo continual improvement.
Incredibly optimistic, The E-Myth challenged many of my assumptions and intuitions about successful business. It reads quickly and easily. It will remain on my shelf for reference and rereading.
Notable quotable: "It's not your business that you have to fear losing. It's something much bigger than that. It's your self." (p. 148)
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
Mr. Gerber creatively introduces the three personalities of business as the Technician, the Manager and the Entrepreneur. In order for one to truly suceed in business, these personalities must all be present, but must be in the correct proportions as well.
His concept of franchising obviously should not be taken too literally. But when you think about it, it really makes sense. If you are have a business that is a "franchise", you are sucessfully acting as the the Entrepreneur, the Technician and most importantly, the Manager.
This book may be difficult for so-called Entrepreneurs to grasp. Especially because so many "Entrepreneurs" are stuck in the Technician personality. (Unless of course, they are balancing the 3 personalities, and if that is the case, they will find little use for this book, as they are already sucessful.)
Ideally, this book is great for Consultants with clients who call themselves Entrepreneurs, but are actually Technicians. There is nothing wrong with this, but so many of the Tech's are seeking outside advice as they are over their head at the moment, and need some relief as they are doing Everything in the business. Hence, if you have a client like this, read this book and use it as your guide. It will assist you as you invent your own creative examples to assist your individual clients. Perhaps as your client shifts personalities, then it may be appropropriate for them to read it on their own. Otherwise, they probably won't get it. |
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H. Hicks (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
About 3 years ago, our accountant handed us a copy of E-Myth and told us to read it. Being very busy as business owners, we shelved it and forgot it. Now our business is failing and we'll be closing soon. Only now have we taken the book down, blown off the dust, and read it.
Michael Gerber knows small business owners like no one else I've ever read. He could be me! I'm exhausted. I've worked 90 hours a week for 5 years now. The store cannot run without me and my husband, so we're chained to it 6 days a week. No vacations, no time off, not even sick leave. I'm sick and tired of my business and I don't care anymore. I just want it over with.
This book has real suggestions that, had they been implemented years ago when our accountant first gave us the book, would have saved our business. We would have taken the leap to hire some help and spent the extra time to find ways to pay for the employee. Instead, we're so busy working FOR our business, we don't have time to work ON our business. As a result, not only are we completely burned out, but our business hasn't grown. We have basically the same inventory, the same ideas, the same tired marketing that we had 5 years ago when we opened.
If you're starting a business, BUY THIS BOOK! We're now passing it around to our business friends. One who was destined to go the same route as us has now hired a bookkeeper, fired his lazy staff, and is using his extra time to find good employees and woo back his customers. His business is doing great and he attributes it to E-Myth.
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Jason Rice (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
I have owned a small business for over 1.5 years now, as a one-man web development shop. For the past few months I have come to the realization that my current way of doing things will lead down one of two paths: frustration at working all the time for not a lot of money, or closing shop and finding a job. A couple of business partners recommended this book to me within the last two months, and so I bought it. I can only say that what happened next was the best part of owning a business for me so far... reality checks and awakenings to what could be.
As I read through the book, Gerber pointed out things about how most small business owners are "technicians" turned business owners; the problem, we may be skilled in what we do, but now we take on multiple jobs that we do NOT know how to do. The problem continues as we immerse ourselves in the "technician" work, but never actually work ON the business, so many aspects of the business suffer (sales, marketing, finances, operations) or just plain don't exist.
In the first part of the E-Myth, Gerber discusses finding the balance of our inner selves: the Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician, and the responsibilities that each of these roles must take on to drive the business toward success, as well as some pitfalls that each face unless there is a cooperative effort by each within you to work ON, not IN, the business.
The second part of the E-Myth talks about the Franchise Prototype. While this sounds like Gerber is going to talk about how to build a franchise, it's not! What he discusses here is the importance of setting up your initial (and perhaps for many, the only) company the right way ... YOUR way. This will inevitably lead to the "prototype" company, so that, in theory, you can take that business system and replicate once, twice, 5000 times... always running the "system" the same way in each business.
The third, and final, part of the book guides you through the system that you will think through, the business processes that make up your business system, so that the business can run... even without you in it! It talks about this becoming your own turn-key solution so that you have a business model in place that your system can effectively reproduce, as you need to.
I took about a week to read through the book and soak in much of what Gerber has to say in it. Gerber includes interesting examples, and the book is very easy to read and understand ... and most importantly, incredibly enjoyable. While some of the text in describing his interaction with a particular business owner is a bit over the top, it doesn't detract from the primary message of the book. I will read it again, and have already begun to get my (new) business system in place. I now have plans to grow my company, and have the vision of what my company will look like. The fog has already started to lift, and the steps are being put into place to reach the success that I have been longing to reach.
If you have, or are planning to start, a small business, this really is a fantastic book, and should be manditory reading. If you have a successful business in place, and don't agree with this book, please remember one thing before you post a negative review... you are in the absolute minority of small business owners due to the fact that most small businesses fail within the first 3-5 years; due in large part to NOT having a system in place that helps drive the business. Most small business owners would most definitely benefit from reading this book, if for no other reason than the awareness of where they are and where they could be.
Thanks to Michael Gerber for such an eye-opening experience, and a viable blueprint. I'm looking forward to the journey!
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Grace Judson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
I had avoided reading The E-Myth for some time, even though I was given a copy of it and even though many people recommended it to me. My reluctance was twofold: firstly, as a small-business owner myself, I was afraid of learning that I was doing everything wrong (I'm glad to say I'm not!); secondly, I expected it to be another dry-as-dust how-to business book (it isn't!).
Gerber's book is right on target, and I have already recommended it to friends who are poised on exactly the point in their own business that Gerber describes. The book is entertaining, easily readable, and makes very effective use of story-telling to illustrate its points. In fact, I can see a danger that some people might miss some of the points he makes simply because it is so entertaining.
So why didn't I give it five stars instead of four? Very simple: As a coach, I operate a service-oriented business. Gerber focuses his principles and illustrations around retail businesses. Of course, most of his principles are easily transferrable, but I would have preferred to see some comments about service businesses as being distinct from retail.
In any event, regardless of whether you are an entrepreneur currently (in a retail or service business!), or you think you might someday want to be an entrepreneur, or you work for a small business and want to understand more - or if you're interested in the workings of business - I highly recommend this book as thought-provoking and right on target in its suggestions.
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Kent Covington (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
I originally read the E-myth about 10 years ago, and it changed the way I thought about business. I was shocked when I read the reviews here and saw a number of less than favorable opinions. A couple of reviewers disagreed with what they deemed to be a "systems over people" business philosophy in this book. I can certainly understand that perspective, but I believe you simply have to keep everything in perspective. It seems every great business author has his or her area of expertise - a certain important business principal that they teach better than most. Michael Gerber is no different. What he has to say about systemization is very important for every business owner to understand. That doesn't mean that it isn't important to find the right people, but as your business grows, it will become increasingly difficult to lean on knowledge that all of your employees are infinitely competent. The bigger you get, the more formalized you must become. There are other authors who do an excellent job of addressing the importance of finding the right people, and helping them make the most of their abilities, but that's just not Gerebr's thing... and that's okay.
Michael Gerber teaches how to make your business consistent, and build a company that wouldn't fall apart if you left town for a year. He teaches how to build a business that will be much easier to sell if you wish, and sell at a higher price. This is some pretty important stuff.
Don't base your entire way of looking at business on this book... read as many great books as you can get your hands on. Good to Great by Jim Collins is a fantastic book that addresses people, leadership and other critical components in the DNA of a potentially great company that you won't find in the E-Myth. This isn't the business Bible. It doesn't contain everything you need to know to be successful in business. However, the teachings you will find in this book are essential to success. What Gerber teaches, he teaches better than anyone. Buy this book, and re-read it once a year. You'll be glad you did.
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Michael Davis (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-31 00:00>
For anyone starting a business or struggling to take his or her business to next level, I highly recommend The E-Myth revisited.
Falsely, many business owners are self-employed individuals with the extra burden of maintaining the aura of being an Entrepreneur.
Michael Gerber's book provides a successful model for becoming a true business owner. First, he explains how there are three distinct personalities involved in running a business. Secondly, and my favorite part, he clarifies the distinction between working ON your business instead of working IN your business. Finally, he constructs a working model on how to build a successful business.
Chapter 1 describes "The Entrepreneurial Myth." Mr. Gerber emphasizes over and over again, most business owners make the fatal assumption that if they understand the TECHNICAL work of a business, they understand the BUSINESS that does the technical work. Just because you know how to be a carpenter or accountant doesn't mean that you know how to run a carpentry or accounting business.
Chapter 2, "The Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician," the three personalities in every person who goes into business. Vision, pragmatism, and action, the contributions of these personalities, are all required for success.
Chapters 3 to 6 explain different stages in the life of a business.
Chapter 7 dissects and uncovers the new revolution in business today.
Chapter 8 outlines what is called a Franchise Prototype. Not to be confused with retail franchises, it is a method of creating a business autopilot.
Chapter 9 literally explains itself - "Working On Your Business, Not In It."
Chapters 10 to 18 (Part III) show how to develop the systems that will out you in control of your business, instead of the other way around.
After reading The E-Myth Revisited, you will understand the difference between being self-employed and being a full-fledged business owner who leads others and manages systems. |
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