The E-Myth Revisited

Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

By: Michael E. Gerber

Narrated by: Michael E. Gerber

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this audio edition of the totally revised underground best seller, The E-Myth, Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. He walks you through the steps in the life of a business, from entrepreneurial infancy, through adolescent growing pains, to the mature entrepreneurial perspective, the guiding light of all businesses that succeed, and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether or not it is a franchise. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business. After you have listened to The E-Myth Revisited, you will truly be able to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.

©1955, 2001, 2003, 2004 Michael E. Gerber (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gerber loves to exhort people to develop powerful visions for their companies." (Fortune)

Terrific framework for managing a small business

I was very challenged and encouraged to document my processes and to think about creating systems for my business. The framework he shares shines a light on the difference between an overworked and overwhelmed small business owner and someone creating a sellable company. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Captivating and clear message!

Great information! If you’re looking to be a business owner, this is the book to listen to!

Decent info, but sort of boring

There's a lot of food info in this book, there's also a couple sections with rambling stories that are verbose, it seems, solely for the purpose of sounding verbose, and don't add much to the book.

The music sequeing between sections sounds like it came from an after school special from 1993, and there's times that the older guy reading it goes horse for a word or two when he's performing the material. Not my favorite business book I've consumed this week.

I have a few hrs left and I'm not even sure if I'm going to finish it.

Ideas to build a life, not just a business

This book is helping me understand how a clear vision for my life and new business will help me accommodate changing markets, staff roll over, and evolving partnerships. E-Myth has changd my perspective and goal -- to develop an enterprise with a clear mission, and to plan this business to thrive without me.

Wow! Does this guy know me?

I couldn't believe this book. It seemed like the author had a hidden camera into my life and my business. He knew everything about me! As he went through the stages of a new business, it was like as if he were telling my life story. His suggestions were timely and relevant. His methods were clear and easy to follow. I found this book to be particularly exciting and motivational. He reawakened the vitality in me that I had when I initially started my business. And most importantly, this book made me realize that my business ups and downs were not unique, and gave me hope that there was a way out. This is a perfect read for someone in the small, then big, then small again place in their business. However, I imagine it is relevant at any point in the growth of a small business. Hopefully you will read this book early so you can avoid some of the pitfalls he describes and I have already experienced. This is a MUST READ for any small business owner.

Wow!

This book it dead on. Between "The Alternative Board" and this book I WILL make my business succeed. A three of them.

From a 12 year entrepreneur

I'm on my second business. The first one lasted 2 years. I published 17 books. My latest business is as a recruiter of programmers, salespeople and bankers for the last 12 years.

Is the book useful? Absolutely. I will be reading it again in 6 months. I need to get more out of it. I particularly liked the exposition mixed in with the story of a believable disciple. I learn better that way.

A very good buy.

A Must Read

Every business owner or manager must read this book!

Loved it!

Timely and helpful. Anyone should read this book who has a small business. I'm looking forward to implementing the changes and moving forward!

Very thought provoking and motivational.

Ideally read before starting a business in earnest. Applicable to most business types/models, while still offering something to every small business in some fashion or another. Hit the nail on the head in many respects to my own experience.

To get the most out of it, I'd suggest actively listening with a pen and paper and noting how best to apply to your own situation, instead of listening in the car or while working on something else.

My only issue is really a non-issue, but the brief musical filigree that signals the alternating story and editorial styles is jarring to hear. It's so inelegant as to suggest it was recorded on a handheld tape recorder at a children's music recital and played back for use in this reading after being put in a glass of water and held up to the microphone. A relatively simple fix if the publisher is so inclined.