One of my greatest joys is giving to others and seeing their success.
When I started out, working as a homebuilder superintendent, I had one boss. When self-employed I had many bosses: clients, banks, tradespeople, suppliers. To take back control and grow my business I needed systems and procedures for everyone to follow.
We all dream of being our own boss … but it’s not that easy. Learning from others’ successes, and failures can save you a lot of headache! Become and avid reader of resources that can help. When we learn from others, and we can grow faster and move farther.
Having grown my business to great success, I want to inspire and motivate others to do the same. One key principle used in life and business is to treat others the way you want to be treated.
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.
Mathew 7:12 NASB
Make this principle the “TOP LINE” of your dealings (clients, banks, contractors, and suppliers) your BOTTOM LINE will prosper. A resource that explains this underlying principle is The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work And What To Do About It by Michael Gerber.
The book talks about 3 big ideas:
1. E-Myth-Entrepreneurial myth: most small business people are not entrepreneurial. Generally they start off as folks with technical knowledge. They go into business for themselves problems arise. They not only have to do the technical part of the business but now also become a sales person, H.R. manager, and bookkeeper, the list goes on and on. Sadly, they burn out and the business fails.
Michael Gerber outlines the 3 way split personality of each new business owner: the entrepreneur who’s focused on the future, the manager who’s focused on the past and the technician who’s focused on the present. The average small business owner is 10% entrepreneur, 20% manager, and 70% technician. The solution?
2. Turn Key Revolution: Think of the business as something others will manage, relying on systems and procedures to run smoothly. The book talks about McDonalds and IBM who implemented clear systems and procedures to create consistently predictable results.
3. The business development process: Imagine that every system and procedure is going to be followed repeatedly in a franchise. Your goal is to work on your business, not in your business, to perfect each of these systems and procedures, document them and teach them to others.
Inspired by treating others as you want to be treated, imagine the possibilities as you read the E-Myth.
Go ahead, make a difference. The world needs you, your services and products. While reading the E-Myth, create a list of 5 companies you could start.
Attitude: Pray that God would show you a product or service that you could passionately provide.
Action: Read the E-Myth and remember to always treat others the way you want to be treated.
Question : What is the one book you would recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Recommended Resource: Michael Gerber, The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work And What To Do About It
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