This book really makes you think. I am a small business owner, and when he explains about the technician turned business owner working himself to death, the manager dying a neat death and the entrpreneur dying an extravagant death, I almost couldn't keep reading. It hit too close to home. It is followed by great tips on how to balance the three and how to look at your business as a franchise prototype, even if you are not going to franchise. How to implement systems that requires the LOWEST possible skillset instead of the highest, and much more. Very much an imortant read for anyone new in business or someone planning to start one up.

I purchased two copies of this. One to give to a friend and one to replace my original which had become a victim of one of my wife's cleaning campaigns.

I will get around to re-reading this in due course, but I have, over the years, referenced sections of it. A must read especially for anyone without small business experience contemplating such a venture.

This book should be required reading if you're a small business owner. If you've ever wondered why you're working so hard and not getting ahead, Michael Gerber will show you why. This is the book to read about to learn how to systematize your business.
The main thesis of the book is that you should spend more time working on your business than in your business. Michael teaches you to build value in your company through developing your intellectual property. That means to figure out how you want your business to run and to be experienced by your customers. You then build systems to make that experience come alive.
It's powerful stuff. Get the book today and read it!

I have been a business owner for 8 years. I feel this powerful book has changed my life. All the time I spent working "in" my business, I had no clue how to work on it. The wisdom in the book has given my business a second chance.

I urge all people thinking about starting their own business to read this book as well as other books on how to create business processes and procedures. I also recommend "Your Marketing Sucks" for those who need to understand what not to do to promote your business.

I would have saved so much time AND LOTS OF MONEY had I spent even a few months educating myself on how to run a business. Take time to plan and educate yourself. So many businesses do fail before their tenth birthday. Mine almost did.

I read this book from the perspective of one has not only pastored in the church for 40 years, but also as one who has consulted with numerous leaders about their churches. The insights from small business easily carry over into the business of establishing a church community. It's not about money, it's about really understanding what you're all about, building a system to make it happen in the best possible way, and maintaining your joy in doing what you really love to do. I am passionate about urging other church leaders to read this book. It's a gem!

This book was highly recommended by my broker, and I wish I had read it years ago. Excellent. Everyone who is thinking about starting a business, is in the beginning stages of owning a business, and even those in business for years could benefit from reading this book. I plan to reread it often.

This book offers a wealth of information on how to streamline your business. Why it is important to write out your goals, how to divide the different aspects into specific responsibilities, and much, much more. If you want to work smarter and work fewer hours I'm sure you will find more than a few great ideas within the pages of this book. I own two completely different businesses and found the information to be useable in both.

If you are a small business owner not looking to grow then this book is not for you. If you are looking to expand you business and go from owning a job to stepping outside the business and owning it, this book is for you. By giving you a step by step approach, you have to tools to transform your business and your life - giving you more time to live your life on your own terms.

[...]

I liked this book even though I felt it was a little light in detail. I also found the presentation a bit redundant. Having said that, this book presents two very important concepts that bear repeating:

1) You can't (and shouldn't if you could) do it all.
2) A truly successful business must be able to run without the owner present.

Mr. Gerber correctly points out the way to implement the latter is to preplan for growth and implement systems that are documented in a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual that are simple enough for an entry level to follow. Easier said than done.

Mr. Gerber doesn't address how the small business owner already working 70+ hours per week in his or her business is supposed to find the time to do the kind of detailed process workflow analysis required to produce such a document. No matter that the need for doing so is evidently clear.

Nor does Mr. Gerber address the obvious capital requirements necessary, even if one can find the time, to get the job done. Time is money and time and money are the two precious resources most small business owners have the least of. This is a classic catch-22 situation where it's imperative that business owners systematize their operations but lack the resources to accomplish the task.

Perhaps a great companion book for the author to write would be a meaningful blueprint for implementing the good advice found in E-Myth Revisited. Or perhaps the author could add a chapter or two to the existing book.

Either way I give it four stars for not providing enough content to support an otherwise salient concept. It would also be helpful if his example business owner wasn't so docile and one dimensional.

This book was reccomended to me as a must read. well I read it and it was unimpressive. It may be of value to a young entrepreneur with little business education, but rather basic for someone with a degree in business.

After the first read of Michael Gerber's "The E-Myth Revisited" I could hardly put it down. I will say right from the start that YES ITS SIMPLIFIED, NO ITS NOT THAT EASY, but thats exactly what makes this a great book. I read the critics' reviews and they seem to be basing their entire opinion of this man's teachings off of one book. If it were physically possible to fit enough information in one paperback book to run a business, then running a business would not be difficult at all.

But no, this is not a how-to manual or a solve-all method, this is the beginning of a process. Gerber introduces us to the three personalities of a entrepreneur (technician, manager, and entrepreneur or visionary) and discusses how most small businesses face a similar problem and that is letting the technician take over the business and killing off the other two.

He discusses how the greatest one-time small businesses in the world have overcome that obstacle. He does this mainly through praising the franchise system. In this way I consider this book also on economics- explaining a little bit how small businesses' affect world economy.

The franchise system allows all personalities to excel, and when they excel the customer is better served and better satisfied. The system works. So managers and technicians can have a business that will be successful and they will be fulfilled working on. But it does not stop there. He also teaches that entrepreneurs must create their small businesses according to a "franchise prototype," basically set-up systems and operations so the business can work most effectively (like as if they were to sell it, even if they don't plan to).

When you set-up you business as something you could sell if you wanted to, then you are creating a business of value. When you do that, then you can be most successful and fulfilled. What is the point in going into business if after 5 years you've only created more work for yourself and nothing to show for it?

In the book's simple story-telling format, Gerber travels with his protege (and the reader) and walks her through the mindset. In order to go from unsuccessful to wildly successful- your mindset has to be the first thing to change. (Read the "one star" reviews to see the effects of a closed mind).

This book reminds me of the simplicity of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and its philosophical take on business. No, its not a well-laid out instruction manual, thats your job to create a manual. This book will inspire you to do more than you have previously thought possible.

After reading hundreds of business books...."The e Myth" is one of only five I recommend. If I had read before starting my first business....it would have saved me millions of dollars. I always keep extra copies to give away.
Stop reading all the trend books about business...this book will change the way you do everything. By explaining what drives the entrepreneur from the beginning, the cycle we all fall into, and the path out of destruction, no other book is necessary. THE BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE E_MYTH REVISITED is worth reading and revisiting. Gerber reminds the reader about the basic premise of business: satisfying the customer, in a new, entertaining, and insightful way.

He proposes that the three key characteristics (skills) of a successful business owner are: skilled technician, entrepeneur, and manager. This is sound advise and a proper balance of the three prevents tyranny by any one personality. I have seen exagerations of all three of these skill sets to the ruin of the afflicted enterprises; mine included.

As a case study, he follows Sarah, owner of All About Pies, as he leads her through her catharsis from exhausted technician to balanced, productive and fulfilled business owner.

There is a great deal of truth that Gerber captures and teaches along with room for some disagreement. Not every business, for example, is suited to be franchised. Not every service can easily be documented. Nonetheless, this quick read is worth its weight in gold to the young or new businessman. I wish I had read this 20 years ago - it would probably have changed my business and my life.

I have owned my own business for almost eight years and have enjoyed and endured many successes and hardships. Facing some of the challenges noted in the jacket, I decided to give it a listen (audio version) while driving. The book starts in the kitchen of a fictitious pie store where the owner had just "had it" with her business and called on the author to help. I got the feeling the whole thing was cheezy and made up to elevate the authors self percieved "angel sent from small business heaven" image. The store owner did however have some of the same issues I had faced, and I wanted to find out how Gerber suggested thier navigation, so I listened on. and on and on... to how if you just dig in and get "in touch" with yourself, these maladies will just mysteriously go away. There were a few nuggets here and there about organization, and how you should run your business as if you were going to franchise it, but they were so far buried in a fantasyland of what the author percieved a "business in trouble" would have for problems, they were hard to dig out. Besides these things should be obvious to you if you are in business, or attempting a start up, in my opinion of course.
I laughed out loud at one point when the author described a young man who traveled Europe, fell in and out of love several times, got stoned, divorced, re-married, got stoned, fought, went broke, got stoned, and then voila!...discovered he had a talent for writing and a mystical ability of telling people how to run a small business. Yeah, you guessed it, that young man was the author. Pure corn. There has to be better stuff out there than this.

Michael Gerber has written a book that is truly a gift for the entrepreneur and small business owner. His theories, models and recommendations challenge the entrepreneur to step back, separate him/herself from the business, create a realistic business plan and maintain a strategic perspective.

Gerber's insistence that the entrepreneur focus on working ON the business, not just IN the business, is invaluable business advice. Likewise, his clarification of the roles of the business owner -- Technician, Manager and Entrepreneur -- supports entrepreneurs in leveraging their time and resources. Finally, his emphasis on the importance of systems and standardization challenges the entrepreneur's typical orientation towards customization. Using relevant case studies, Gerber shows how systems can be implemented to increase reveneues and improve business operations.

Amidst the many business books on the market, this book stands out by providing entrepreneurs with a realistic plan for creating sustainable businesses and improving the odds of long-term success.

Very much like my favorite book Rich Dad Poor Dad, this book snaps some reality into everyone who runs a small business or desires to start a business. After reading this book you'll soon discover that every business owner falls into three categories: Manager, Technician, and Entrepreneur. However, According to Michael E. Gerber the reason why most business's fail is because most small business owners become too heavily weighted in one trait, rather than a balance of all three. Gerber shows you that by running around like a crazy person and working hard doing all the work that you will never be able to take your business to the next level. The trick is to set up your business to run exclusive of YOU! But how...? E-Myth will show you!

If you can get past the wordiness and personal storyline in this book, there are two important messages. 1) There's much more to having a successful business than having a great idea or a talent. 2) A successful business is one that can operate without its owners. The book strives to provide guidelines on how to accomplish the latter. But there are other business sources that are more concrete - like Brad Sugars' series. And this book missed a major business component: money. It fails to address how to afford the labor that frees the owners - ex. through seed money or profit converted to a cash reserve. It also fails to address cash flow (not sales or profits) which poses difficulty for many small businesses

I'd recommend this book as one of many books to read if considering a business venture.

This book is loaded to the gills with honest, practical insights into the difference between wanting to get more out of your skills by working for yourself, and really having the desire and the ability to run a business. If you're planning on pouring your capital into a venture, I highly recommend reading this first. If you've already started a business and you're struggling with either the one-man/woman show, or you're suffering from the growing pains of hiring help that isn't getting it done to your satisfaction, you'll find solace and very practical tips here. A great book.

Planning to start my own business, I stopped by my local bookstore to do some research. I ran across this book and started reading it right there in the store. The beginning is fantastic, I felt like Gerber was speaking directly to me. The situations and examples he gave were exactly what I have experienced in past businesses. I felt totally connected with this book and was so excited! I read half the book in the store, bought it, took it home and finished it within a day...but I wasn't too happy with it towards the end. You see, in the beginning, Gerber makes it sound as if he TOTALLY understands what you, as a small business owner, has gone through, is going through, and will go through. So, you get caught up in the book, buy it just like I did, only to find out he only talks about how to franchise. For some businesses, such as healthcare, or consulting, businesses where you're not selling things like coffee, hamburgers or simple services, businesses that require professionals like doctors, chiropractors, dentists etc., this model is not practical and will not help. Granted, it is useful knowledge to understand the concept of franchises, but not all businesses can be franchised like how he discussed. But Gerber writes well, so well that even if it's not realistic to franchise your business, you're totally excited about franchising anyway. So, after you finish the chapters, you're completely eager to go franchise, so you even read pass the Epilogue and onto the Afterward (like I did) and THAT's where his true motive for writing the book comes out, which you can see if you're still thinking rationally-- his motive is for you to sign up with the E-Myth company to help you with your small business, to franchise, "a call to arms" as he puts in in the Epilogue. He wants you to "look at your business through your E-Myth eyes" he says, and "E-Myth Worldwide have assisted thousands...We would love to do the same for you. It begins with our invitation to take part in our free E-Myth experience...To take your first step, simply complete the form at the back of this book...." This is just like any other "free" marketing scheme, to get you in so that they can sell to you. Gerber is brilliant, the WHOLE book is a marketing ploy. It's not enough that you buy the book, you buy into the E-Myth Company. Wow, this book really is brilliant, it ALMOST sold me. And I give this book three stars because if someone does want to franchise, it is indeed worthwhile buying this book. Not for me, though. I wonder, can I still return this book?

This is a great book those who consider themselves craftsmen in their fields, whether it be woodworking or computer programming, to understand how as businessmen they often fail miserably. Understanding the roles of the Technician, the Manager and the Entrepreneur will help any business owner or someone considering opening a business.

I walked away from this book with a thirst for process. I already have a lot of processes in place now that I credit for my business' success thus far, but this book helped highlight gaps and shortages in my systems planning. I was reinvigorated to gain a better understanding of how my business can service its clients better.

This is a great book for understand how those who consider themselves craftsmen in their fields, whether it be woodworking or computer programming, fail miserably when they attempt to go into business. Understanding the roles of the Technician, the Manager and the Entrepreneur will help any business owner or someone considering opening a business.

I walked away from this book with a thirst for process. I already have a lot of processes in place now that I credit for my business' success thus far, but this book helped highlight gaps and shortages in that systems planning. I was reinvigorated to gain a better understanding of how my business can service its clients better.

This is a must read book for the entrepreneur. It doesn't matter if you are old hat or just thinking.When there is no sense of where to start...look no further! This book opens the mind and provides greater expectation of success.
I operated a franchise for many years without the benefit of this knowledge. It would have been very useful in shaping the past and moving into the future. It reads quickly.It demands ongoing reviews...perhaps with a high lighter in hand...Buy it now. You won't regret it. Share it with someone who needs intelligent direction. Michael Gerber has it right!

If you don't have a business degree, this will at least make you aware of the difference between a job and owning/running a business. Without this knowledge, it'd be a miracle if your business survives.

Did you ever wonder how you can get the same Big Mac from any McDonald's anywhere in the world? Michael Gerber demystifies this by showing that the systems and processes are what makes the business a business, and not just a job for the owner. And how the complications of running every aspect of a business can be broken down into uniformly performed functions - the way a franchise is.

The "E" stands for entrepreneurial and the myth is that most owners are not entrepreneurs but someone who just works in a business where the owner has himself for a boss instead of somebody else. He shows how you can break out of the mold of working in the business to working on the business by establishing the right processes and operating procedures. In effect, he tells you to set up your business the way a franchise is set up - where anyone properly and easily trained can do any job to sell, produce and ship the product and handle the business aspects of operating a business.

I make this book required reading for the clients of my CPA practice and highly recommend it to anyone running a business or organization, or wanting to.

Even though Michael Gerber's writing style can have a tendency to drive people up a wall with his telling you the same thing over and over and over and over and using far more words than is necessary, read this book. If you are in business or are thinking about starting about business, reading this book no longer becomes an option for you, it is a must.

Anyone who has ever failed in business will be astounded as Gerber describes, with razor sharp precision, exactly what went wrong. Here, you will learn how to never make those same mistakes again. You will learn how to run your business instead of letting your business run you.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is how much of what Gerber teaches are the same lessons needed for life itself. In much of what you read here, you could replace the word "business" with words like "life" or "marriage" and the same rules would apply. In fact, as a minister, I employ much of what Gerber teaches here in my marriage counseling. The same principles of primary aims, strategic objectives, organizational objectives, management objectives and system strategies.

Even though Gerber tends to ramble, particularly when telling a story, don't miss this one. Your business will thank you.

This is one of the most important books for a business owner to read. And if you think you don't have time to read it, you need to do it even sooner! Michael Gerber uses a "sample" business to illustrate the many pitfalls of business ownership. The good news is that there is hope to re-capture your time, learn to delegate, and make more money. You have to realize where you are, what you want, and be willing to change to bring about a different outcome. This book explains, in simple terms, how to get started.

I started an internet business 2 years ago. It wasn't until I read this book that I understood there was a difference in building a business from being self employed. The book brought great clarity to the purpose for my business.

James Sathe, President
Safety Made Simple, Inc.
Idaho Falls, ID

I loved this book, it got me all fired up about making my business working for me. Although I do not agree with everything in there, I will agree that it is a good book for somebody needing help with their business. It tells about how to have a system (think Mc Donalds) where you don't have to hire a perfect employee with lots of skill to do the work. But mearly somebody who can follow charts and directions. Which all of it I don't subscribe too, but there was lots of good advice to gleam from it.

Michael Gerber's 'The E Myth - Revisited' quite honestly annoyed me on the first read. I thought of it as a corporate methodology course written for the small business owner. However, I really wanted to believe in this book and on the second read, it made sense perhaps because I started re-building and re-positioning my businesses at the time.

On the third read, it really made sense -- now on to the specifics.

Gerber asserts that the best businesses have people, procedures, and systems. They also provide a place of meaning, provide a sense of purpose, and of course satisfy needs as expected (or better)! The arrangement of the book is key. Gerber realizes that successful businesses start with the individual or group that establishes them. Business owners do have to have a sense of purpose and a sense of who they are and what they want their business to accomplish. His "names" for these internal processes are termed the Primary Aim and Strategic Objective.

He goes on to proceed to how the business will look and getting organize. This step is critical and is the first chapter I "blew off" on the first read - it was just to CA. Gerber knew that readers would think this, but this is perhaps one of the most important chapters. Afterwards, Gerber goes into the normal processes of people development, leadership, marketing, organizational structure, and weaving the pieces together to give a systematic (and predictable) result.

The reason I believe in this book is because my companies utilized his recommendations and the results led to us having a feeling of "re-birth." This is not corporate America "jumbo". This is real world information that can really make the difference between success and failure. It's the techniques utilized by the best consulting companies when they go to "fix" or try to "fix" your organization. But if you read and put into practice what he recommends one will find (in our opinion) that they are their own best consultants - and even better - executers, which is what business is about!

Great read - recommended reading for business owners (large and small).

Michael Gerber's 'The E Myth - Revisited' quite honestly annoyed me on the first read. I quite honestly thought it was a corporate methodology course written for the small business owner. However, I really wanted to believe in this book and on the second read, it made sense perhaps because I started re-building and re-positioning my businesses at the time.

On the third read, it really made sense -- now on to the specifics.

Gerber asserts that the best businesses have people, procedures, and systems. They also provide a place of meaning, provide a sense of purpose, and of course satisfy needs as expected (or better)! The arrangement of the book is key. Gerber realizes that successful businesses start with the individual or group that establishes them. Business owners do have to have a sense of purpose and a sense of who they are and what they want their business to accomplish. His "names" for these internal processes are termed the Primary Aim and Strategic Objective.

He goes on to proceed to how the business will look and getting organize. This step is critical and is the first chapter I "blew off" on the first read - it was just to CA. Gerber knew that readers would think this, but this is perhaps one of the most important chapters. Afterwards, Gerber goes into the normal processes of people development, leadership, marketing, organizational structure, and weaving the pieces together to give a systematic (and predictable) result.

The reason I believe in this book is because my companies utilized his recommendations and the results led to us having a feeling of "re-birth." This is not corporate America "jumbo". This is real world information that can really make the difference between success and failure. It's the techniques utilized by the best consulting companies when they go to "fix" or try to "fix" your organization. But if you read and put into practice what he recommends one will find (in our opinion) that they are their own best consultants - and even better - executers, which is what business is about!

Great read - recommended reading for business owners (large and small).

This book was recommended by a friend. I wish I had read it 10 years ago. The lessons in this book apply to anyone who works in any organization. Be clear on who does what. Document a repeatable successful process. Fine tune it. A must read whether you work day to day for someone or you're looking to start-up a 1 person business.

This book was a real eye opener for me. I assumed I'd build a successful business because I loved what I was doing and knew how to do it well. NOT NECESSARILY SO. This book helped me understand that working IN your business (day-to-day activities) is different than working ON your business (processes, systems etc). A new concept to me. It helped me realize that for me to be successful, I needed to learn how to run a business not just produce the product.
If you're a non-business person who's running a business (like me!) read this book. E-Myth also offers some really great online courses, workshops and personal coaching for those of you who are serious about taking control of your business. Check them out at www.e-myth.com -- you won't be sorry.

This book was truly an eye opening experience for me. I was Sarah! I just opened a bakery and was trying to be all things at once and didn't realize it till someone recommended I read this book. It was such a wake up call I couldn't put it down. The principles outlined in this book made so much sense to me. How did I not see it? It was a breath of fresh air and renewed my drive and hopes for building my business.

I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about going into business and for all those who are currently in business. Especially for those just starting out. Can't go wrong with this one!

Will teach you valuable things you need to know if you are in business or are planning to go on business.

I have been a CPA for over 25 years and I recommend this book to all my clients. Sometimes that don't "get it" until after they have been in business a few years and then read it again. Just think if you could "get it" when you first start your business, how much more successful you could be?

Getting caught up in working IN your business is so easy to do and this books tells you to work ON your business. A very big AHA for most business owners.

Once you have made the decision to work ON your business you need to know more specifics on how to do this. I am the author of Turning Your Dream Business Into Your Bread & Butter: Recipes for Running a Successful Business from Scratch and this book has over 500 strategies, in an easy to read format, to help the business owner be successful working ON their business. It is a desk reference that can be used to start your business or be pulled down off the shelf when you have business challenge and want to look up how to fix it.

So after reading The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, you need to read Turning Your Dream Business Into Your Bread & Butter: Recipes for Running a Successful Business from Scratch, the two together will take your business to the next level.

Ellen Springer, MBA, CPA
Turning Your Dream Business Into Your Bread & Butter: Recipes for Running a Successful Business from Scratch

This book is very interesting starting from the foreword. The story begins right there. The story about life which continues every moment. People who are not afraid to live get everything they want. There are ascents and collapses and those are parts of the Way. But it is OK, it is dynamics.

This world can give you everything you want. There is one condition though - you have to concentrate on that. This book is like a funnel. If you hit its mouth you find yourself thinking, deciding, concentrating and gaining intention. Intention is exactly that raw material which transforms to your wishes. You just need to apply the right technique.

Everything begins in the moment when you clearly understand what you want - your goal. People tend to think that their life and personality are unique. It is true to some extent. There are stages of life and personality development which are common for the majority. Entrepreneurship has some stages as well. Ability to recognize them and act accordingly can help you to achieve your goal, moving towards to your aim, not stepping aside. This book gives you understanding of that parts entrepreneur life consists of.

When you read this book you see how simple everything is. It is true. But people usually tend to overcomplicate things or deviate from real intentions. That is why such kind of books is precious and thoughts discussed there need some time and repetition in order to introduce into your life.

This book frustrated the heck out of me -- and I mean that in the best way possible. When I first read it years ago I immediately recognized the truth of his message of organization and systemization, but I also recognized how few independent business owners follow Gerber's prescriptions for entrepreneurial success -- which was the frustrating part.

If you aspire to a life as an entrepreneur this is an indispensable book and a "must have" addition to your success library. I unequivocally suggest that you buy it, read it, and implement its principles -- it will revolutionize the way you run your business and live your life.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I am a speaker, trainer, and author of another unique and highly valuable learning tool that can also be found here on Amazon: The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual and Active Link Library. It is a straight-forward discussion of the art and science of personal wealth creation and should be considered by anyone serious about wanting to learn more about the right way to get started on the road to personal wealth creation and financial freedom!

Other "WealthLoop Series" tools worth looking into include:

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording

and

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.

This book frustrated the heck out of me -- and I mean that in the best way possible. When I first read it years ago I immediately recognized the truth of his message of organization and systemization, but I also recognized how few independent business owners follow Gerber's prescriptions for entrepreneurial success -- which was the frustrating part.

If you aspire to a life as an entrepreneur this is an indispensable book and a "must have" addition to your success library. I unequivocally suggest that you buy it, read it, and implement its principles -- it will revolutionize the way you run your business and live your life.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I am a speaker, trainer, and author of another unique and highly valuable learning tool that can also be found here on Amazon: The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual. It is a straight-forward discussion of the art and science of personal wealth creation and should be considered by anyone serious about wanting to learn more about the right way to get started on the road to personal wealth creation and financial freedom!

Other "WealthLoop Series" tools of worth looking into include:

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording

and

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.

I have given away over 300 copies of this book to date. Along with Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People you will have three handbooks on organization, developing your company and managing yourself. As an author myself, (11 Things You Absolutely Need To Know About Selling Your Business) I appreciate someone who tells it straight, and Michael Gerber has done that very well indeed.

I discovered my business was managing me and I was at a point I was beginning to hate self employment. But I used the tools in the book to reorganize my life and business. Today I make 3 times what I use to , I manage the business it no longer manages me.

If medical billing is your passion and you are thinking about starting your own billing company, don't start it before reading Gerber's book.

Gerber's E-Myth theory works well in billing: most billing services fail because the founders are "technicians" who are inspired to start a business without knowledge of how successful businesses run. "Technicians" are skilled at billing and enjoy coding. So, when "technicians" start their own billing operation, they continue doing the work they are skilled at, and, without access to solid technology and industrial-grade processes, they soon find themselves unable to scale up. Rather than working "on" the business, they work "in" the business, in other words, they simply own a job instead of a business.

Billing is especially difficult because it must succeed in a conflict-ridden business environment, where billing complexity creates opportunities for providers to commit fraud and for payers--to benefit at the expense of the providers. An in-house billing operation and a naive outsourced billing office owner are both helpless against insurance companies armed with a powerful three-pronged system to keep providers' money: solid business strategy, well-documented and professionally managed processes, and leading-edge technology.

B-Myth = anybody good at billing can run a successful billing business. Read this book BEFORE starting your own medical billing business.

Yuval Lirov, Practicing Profitability - Billing Network Effect for Revenue Cycle Control in Healthcare Clinics and Chiropractic Offices: Collections, Audit Risk, SOAP Notes, Scheduling, Care Plans, and Coding

Don't read this book if you run a successful billing company or if you own a healthcare practice and receive your reimbursements in full and on time.

Gerber's E-Myth theory works well in billing: most billing services fail because the founders are "technicians" who are inspired to start a business without knowledge of how successful businesses run. "Technicians" are skilled at billing and enjoy coding. So, when "technicians" start their own billing operation, they continue doing the work they are skilled at, and, without access to solid technology and industrial-grade processes, they soon find themselves unable to scale up. Rather than working "on" the business, they work "in" the business, in other words, they simply own a job instead of a business.

Billing is especially difficult because it must succeed in a conflict-ridden business environment, where billing complexity creates opportunities for providers to commit fraud and for payers--to benefit at the expense of the providers. An in-house billing operation and a naive outsourced billing office owner are both helpless against insurance companies armed with a powerful three-pronged system to keep providers' money: solid business strategy, well-documented and professionally managed processes, and leading-edge technology.

B-Myth = anybody good at billing can run a successful billing business. Read this book BEFORE starting your own medical billing business.

Gerber's E-Myth theory works well in billing: most billing services fail because the founders are "technicians" who are inspired to start a business without knowledge of how successful businesses run. "Technicians" are skilled at billing and enjoy coding. So, when "technicians" start their own billing operation, they continue doing the work they are skilled at, and, without access to solid technology and industrial-grade processes, they soon find themselves unable to scale up. Rather than working "on" the business, they work "in" the business, in other words, they simply own a job instead of a business.

Billing is especially difficult because it must succeed in a conflict-ridden business environment, where billing complexity creates opportunities for providers to commit fraud and for payers--to benefit at the expense of the providers. An in-house billing operation and a naive outsourced billing office owner are both helpless against insurance companies armed with a powerful three-pronged system to keep providers' money: solid business strategy, well-documented and professionally managed processes, and leading-edge technology.

B-Myth = anybody good at billing can run a successful billing business. Read this book BEFORE starting your own medical billing business.

Not only have I read the E-Myth, but two weeks ago while at my insurance marketing convention, Gerber spoke for 2 hours. We was very insightful and very funny. He reminded me of George Carlin.

Gerber preaches systems and process. Working on your business not in it. His favorite example is Ray Kroc of McDonald's. Kroc never worked in a McDonald's, never flipped a hamburger. What he did was set up the systems to be followed for the lowest education level so it could be replicated over and over again.

I could go on and on about Gerber.

This is simply required reading for anyone who is in business or is thinking about being in business for themselves. No-one tells a better business fable than Michael Gerber and when you then add his expertise in the business arena, you have a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was an easy, fairly quick read with a powerful punch. Thank you.

I have read and re-read this book (and the original) many times over the past 15 years.

With the first reading I was struck at how many people I knew that fit perfectly into the nutshell descriptions of individuals with locked in mind-sets presented!

The entrepreneurial seizure; The Fat Guy & The Skinny Guy; The Entrepreneur & Manager & Technician; customers Sam Tommy and Mary; Bookkeeper Harry; the suppliers, the improperly trained helpers, the desperate owner, and many others. I KNEW these people! Or at least the essence of them.

With later readings I became aware of ALL of them as being aspects of my own self, and the possibilities each offered. Attitude is Everything! Change the attitude, change the outcome!
For me, this is the main value of the book, learning to understand myself, and why I do the things I do.

I feel the overview presented by the E myth should be understood by each new business owner BEFORE making that first leap.

No one book can be all things to all people, but for those interested in starting or improving a business, this one comes close.

In my mind, there is only one minor failing in the book. It does not examine in great enough detail why people would want to work for you. Success comes from helping other people get what they want. What are their interests, dreams and goals? How can you help them reach what THEY want? Why would they want YOU to succeed?

Great businesses can only exist if they have great people.

All in all, this is my most valuable Business Book.

I'm going against the grain here, but I didn't find this book incredibly helpful for me or my clients. I emerged from reading this book like it was a verbose marketing campaign for Gerber's consulting company. However, with so many outstanding reviews from seemingly successful or seasoned professionals, it makes me wonder: how can nearly everyone agree with pulp, formulaic non-fiction? There has to be something I'm missing. To be fair, I'm going to speed read the highlights once again (plowing through the silly Socratic dialogue vignettes of the entrepreneur manque). I hope I'm wrong and there is a lot to discern from this book (mainly because I can never get the 3 hours back in my life I spent on reading this!). But I do have a feeling I'll be wishing the E-Myth was higher-level business advice.

I think readers would, instead, benefit from Rubinfeld's "Built for Growth". Same franchise mentality, but the applications are spelled out. Yes, this author has consulting services to sell too, but not like a franchise, more like a private client model. Rubinfeld knows what he's talking about and has the exponential expansion and success of Starbucks to vouch for his expertise: what was Gerber's rainmaker again? Exactly. Rubinfeld gets it right, especially with the real estate strategies, retail space, and customer service. By the way, Gerber's second rule for his franchise model: take the personal element out of the transaction and just give the customer a low-skilled worker fortified by a briliant systems-based business model. He buttons that statement with the "ordinary people do extraordinary things" clause, but it still sounds harsh to me. I guess the truly extroaordinary people go on to build or own franchises.

This is, at best the beginning part of a working business solution. Yes, Gerber makes a valid point about the E-myth concept (read other reviews if you don't know the concept) but it's really for beginners (newbs). All his books are really just advertisements,for his E-Myth Academy consulting business in the back of all his books. There is nearly no practical information. He makes his point about the E-Myth, then masterbates it endlesly, re-making that point six ways to Sunday, add nausium and leaves you wondering, well, but what should I do? Well, little lost lamb (newb), go to E-Myth web site or call the 800 number where they have a fast talking sales crew and sign up for 2 years of 700 plus a month (I haven't checked lately) consultation/classes.

After you get the point that to make your technical skill pay/function as a business you need to have business skills/know how. You can sign up for the 700 plus per month for 2 years advertised in the back of his books. Start looking elsewhere for actual practical information. Because there are no E-myth books or tapes that have that information. You can do a lot for your business with that kind of money. I'm always shocked at how newbs starting businesses throw money around. Something to buy and a place to buy it, no matter how pretty it all is, doesn't make a successful business, In my observations, it's the major reason new businesses fail. I'm sure some of you with deep pockets or You corperate types who have never had to find the guts or earn the money to build a small business without Sugar Daddy Warbucks help will think I'm wrong. This E-Myth stuff is valid but it it's grade school lessons made to look like some kind of super-profound truth/solution. Well, it is, grade school true, now what Mr. Gerber, where's the solutions, spend, what, nearly 17,000 Sign up for what I thought I was getting when I bought the Books and tapes? What a greedy little tight wad! When are you going to write a book with substance? Hey Newbs! Trust me, yes you need real business skills, there are plenty of great business books out there, take some of that 17,000 and buy some and be careful with the rest you're going to need it.

This book gives both inspiration and practicals to make any small business a successful venture. It certainly changed the course of my business and got me to work at making my business something that can be reproduced through the processes that I create.

"And a silver belt buckle with his initials in green jade acrosss in face. ... Can you see it? Do you get the picture?" And no, he is not out of business.

For me it is a number of good ideas and a hard sales pitch. Next time less pitch more workout please.