The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Rating:
Summary: A View from the Trenches
Review: Gerber's book E-Myth Revisited is an extremely valuable book that should be read by every small business owner. Here's why: In my work as a consultant and mentor for small business owners, I see first hand, every day, the cost of trying to run a business without understanding the fundamentals. I see one business owner after another who is stressed out, overwhelmed, and working for less than minimum wage.

Gerber's whole point is that you have to look at each piece of your business to find ways to make it work, developing systems so you're not constantly putting out fires and reinventing the wheel. It's about recognizing that your business will grow and preparing for that ahead of time, anticipating the changes. That enables you to grow the business the way YOU want it to grow as opposed to having it spiral out of control.

Gerber's premise is that by building value in your business, you create a saleable entity. In his opinion that is the reason to have a business--build it, then sell it. I think that's a matter of personal choice. However, it certainly makes more sense to build a healthy, flourishing business than to struggle along with a pale, sickly business, regardless of what you do with it in the future.

E-myth changed the way I look at my own business and has definitely helped me when I'm stepping into a new client's business to quickly figure out where the problems are. The quicker I can find the problems, the quicker I can provide the solutions.

Gerber's book oversimplifies. It has to. He has to break through all the swirling chaos of day to day small business ownership and get down to the underlying causes. Read the book, think about it, see how it applies to your own business, then apply it in the ways you think will be most helpful to you. This is not a quick fix, it's a "here are the problems, some solutions, now apply it to your own situation" fix. The most powerful part is that by making the more mundane things in your business simple, you have time for the really important functions like marketing, strategy, and business development.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but a bit simplistic
Review: Maybe my view is tainted because I read fast food nation at the same time which had at its helm a number of businesses who adopted this systems process business model.

Most of the entrepreneurs I know who have actually started and sold on their businesses would suggest that a good business has a good balance of systems and people processes.

One of the things that worry me about the book is that most entrepreneurs are great at attracting and motivating staff who can carry their vision and passion for the business. The over emphasis on systems takes away this real world business experience and in many ways destorys the soul of business present in many of the larger corporations.

That said he does have some very good points about the marketing and management of the business. One of the points I agree with him totally on is that not all people are cut out for business and thus apply this title of entrepreneur. Not a bad book, but could have been shorter. But then I dont like Jack welches style of management. Each to their own

Rating:
Summary: Make Your Systems a Priority
Review: This, and the newest book, "E-Myth Mastery," are excellent books.

So many people believe that if they really work hard doing what they are good at, the money will flow. This is part of the myth.

You need to work on developing systems within your business. And document details, from the very beginning, as though you are ready to hire at least 3 people (VP Marketing, VP Operations, VP Finance).

While reading this book, I was waiting for a potential client. When he arrived late, and asked me what I was reading, I said, "I'm reading about how to convert you into my client."

Within 10 minutes, we laughed a great deal. He signed the contract. And I got my money.

There are so many business books out there. And while there are so many business books out there, none seem to really get to the heart, or soul of who an entrepreneur is, and what gets in the way.

Identifying this will help you to accomplish beyond your wildest dreams.



Rating:
Summary: The Emyth is Alive and Well
Review: When Gerber started his Emyth revolution in 1977, I'm sure he didn't have a clue as to how successful his approach was going to be: Over 25,000 small business clients from every industry on all major continents!

Now, 27 years later, he's still going strong. See his latest book: "E-Myth Mastery - The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company"

If you are a business owner struggling to control your life, make money, and enjoy your family, the Emyth message is timely and useful.

As a business owner and founder myself, I find Gerber's perspective invigorating (not to mention life-saving). You'll do better to have a coach though, if you intend on fully implementing Gerber's vision in your business.

There are a handful of superb Emyth coaches out there. Also, there's an online resource you can tap into at: www.emythblog.com

Rating:
Summary: Definitely one for the collection
Review: First off, this book is NOT meant to be a guide to franchising, as so many people have perceived it. Gerber just uses large franchisors as examples of successful businesses. Why? Because they have sold their business model many times over, and therefore proved that it works.

He advises you to think of your business AS a franchise, but not literally, unless you want to. He goes into great detail, explaining that your business should be thought of as a product that should be sellable many times over and be people-independent. That is, be able to survive without depending on the skills of people within the business.

He believes the major difference between large corporations and franchises, with that of failed and failing businesses, is STRUCTURE and having SYSTEMS in place. Of course, the be all and end all of a successful business isn't just structure, but it obviously attributes a large part to the success.

If anyone has gone from working in a large successful company, no matter what position held, onto a small premature business, you'll understand when I say how much of a shock it is to go from having so many guidelines and systems to follow, to having none.

Gerber finishes by providing practical information regarding marketing, management, and naturally suggests further reading in those areas.

This book should be the foundation for anyone thinking of going into business.

Rating:
Summary: For serious business owners!
Review: It seems that the people who don't like this book are NOT business owners. I happen to be a business owner and I resonate with everything this book is talking about. It is one of the top 5 books that EVERY entrepreneur MUST READ! I read a review that said this book is all about franchising. totally wrong. That kind of comment just tells me that the reviewer has absolutely no idea what makes a good business. This book is an entertaining read, but also has significant depth. There are tools in here that will help you immediately. If you are a small business owner or mananger, this book will improve your understanding and performance dramatically.

Rating:
Summary: Good systems
Review: I liked this book because it uses system to create business processes. These business processes are used to manage and operate a franchise business.

It focused mainly on franchises even though the same concept lends itself to other type of businesses. So far, the e-myth, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, Stop Working by Rohan Hall seem to be the best on the market. They have similar concepts though applied differently.




Rating:
Summary: Worst business book I ever read
Review: This is quite simply the most worthless business book I have ever read. Basically, Gerber tells you that you need to franchise your business. That may be well and good, but what if you have a business that doesn't lend itself to franchising, like consulting? After reading his book I felt like I wasted my time reading what this snake oil salesman had to sell.