When I speak with company owners who are struggling with certain aspects of their business, almost invariably they’ll mention that they’ve read all kinds of books about business. As an avid reader, I’m all for that. However, I always ask a key question, “Of what you’ve read, can you tell me something that you’ve actually implemented in your business?” That question usually leads to SILENCE!
I call this, The Book of the Month Club,” and I used to be one of those entrepreneurs that had hundreds of business books on my shelves, at work and at home. However, a wise man who became a mentor asked me the same question about what I had executed, and the silence that followed really opened my eyes.
About 38 years ago, all changed after I read Michael Gerber’s The E-MYTH Revisited. For the first time, things began to fall into place for me.
First, The E-Myth (“Entrepreneurial Myth”) is the mistaken belief that most businesses are started by people with tangible business skills, when in fact most are started by “technicians” who know nothing about running a business. Hence, most fail.
Gerber’s book tells the story of Sarah, “The Baker,” so skilled in the kitchen that she opens her own bakery. She knows everything about making delicious cakes and pies, but while that makes her a knowledgeable “TECHNICIAN,” she is not capable of handling everything required for a business to succeed. Afterall, there’s marketing, finance, human resources, and everything else that’s necessary for success. And by the way, this applies to any profession – bakers, candlestick makers (LOL), doctors, lawyers, and any other business you might be in.
If you were never taught “how to RUN a business,” here’s a link to get a FREE Audio copy. I highly recommend you read this book.
Reach out to me after you’re done reading for some key follow-ups.
Stephen
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