Well, I never thoughtI’d be writing a book review this side of 11th grade English class! But here I sit, doing just that.

I’d venture to say that this very book, The E-Myth Revisited, was a book that changed my Business Life! In changing my Business Life it changed my personal life as well. Giving me the chance to regain sanity, have some much needed time away from work and allow me to sleep at night (for those that have ever laid staring at the ceiling for hours, you need relief! Read the book!)

The E-Myth Revisited, Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber is a highly recommended book for small businesses.

There are a few key points I really took away from this read. Before I go over them I’d like to point out that everything here is what I’ve learned from The E-Myth, my take-aways, and summary. I don’t mean to dissuade you from reading it, I mean to ‘suade’ you! You can purchase it on CD or on iTunes and listen in the car (as I do with many books) or block of a few minutes a day with the promise that you’ll gain the time back by learning how from the content inside.

The E-Myth Revisited is The Entrepreneurial Myth that entrepreneurs start most small businesses. This is not true. What? You may be thinking, “But that’s what I did, I’m an entrepreneur and I started my business.” Actually you had an idea one day that, “Hey, I could do that and be my own boss.” So much more goes into it than the initial idea.

3 Workers

-Entrepreneur- the idea, motivation, innovation

-Technician- the skill and how to keep a business

-Manager- the organizer and production implementer

All of these “people” or roles need to be there for a small business to function. I’m not saying you have to hire them, I’m really saying you have to be them. All 3. Learn that you can wear all of those hats and that you can wear them well and you’ll be off to a great start. However, it will take time, time and more time.

Prototype

The example of McDonalds comes into the mix. Think about that Big Mac you’ve stared down at (or if you’re trying to be healthy, the Premium Bacon Ranch Salad, hehe). It’s the same every time. No matter what state or what time you order it. How does that happen? Different people made it, how is it the exact same? They have developed a franchise model. In the beginning…there was one McDonalds. Build and run your business as if you were going to make 1000 just like it. What do you need to do to make sure everything runs like clockwork and smoothly?

Systems, systems, systems

“A system is a set of thing, actions, ideas, and information that interact with each other, and in so doing, alter other systems.” The E-Myth Revisited taught me what I though I already knew. It taught me about systems. I thought I had systems down, then I ready chapter 18. I’m now constantly working on creating, perfecting and handing off systems.

Part of perfecting systems allows you to hand off parts of your business and in return creates workers to work in your business while you work on it. Getting to do the fun stuff, the stuff you thought you’d be doing way more of when you had that “Ah-ha” moment and said, “I can go into business for myself”. Creating systems for things you wish you didn’t have to do, you love and didn’t even know you did, gives you a whole new perspective on business!

With those 3 major key points I think you can already see that The E-Myth is a critical book to read. The sooner, the better. I love how Michael Gerber uses plain English for this book. Giving simple folk, like myself (majoring in Elementary Ed. never really gave me a reason to take a business class, believe it or not!) the chance to grasp a little more of the business world in an exciting and motivating way!

Head over to Amazon.com or emyth.com and grab yourself a copy. Or better yet, come over for a cup of tea and borrow mine! It’s currently on loan but it doesn’t take but a few days to get through so I’m sure I’ll have it back in no time.

Leave a comment letting me know you made the purchase or if you have any more questions. I love love love talking about business and can’t wait for you to love it too!