E-myth

Stonehenge · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 04:01 PM

Who's read it?

Have you implemented any of the suggestions/models?

Stonehenge · #2 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 12:56 PM

Digin? I figured you'd jump right into this one....

I've just about completed that book - E myth. It's about the entrepreneurial myth, who is an entrepreneur, why they do it, how they do it, etc. And really, it's more about using a model to turn regular small biz people into better business people, helping them to create a self-sustaining business.

The franchise model is a great example, and now it's clear to me why Digin was getting very interested in ISO - to be able to create standardized procedures and put them into manuals, so that everyone can know what they need to do in almost every situation.

I really like the idea and think it will be one of the things I need to push my biz to the next level. However, the sheer volume of manuals needed for an entire business is staggering. Do any of you have standardized procedures with manuals? If so, for what tasks/functions?

diginahole · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 02:51 PM

Sorry there Jeff, been busy and forgot about this thread.

Yes, I have read E-myth and am very on board with Gerber's ideas. In fact it is probably one of the biggest reasons for the launch of my new venture. I will be producing the manuals over time (remember the sales thread). I agree that it is a tremendous job, but but feel that it is vital to the growth of my business and myself. Starting over has been huge boost in confidence for me and made it easier to change my ways and do things the right way.

ISO quality management seems to fall in line with Gerber's ideas and will likely be the tool I use to standardize my operations. To that end, I have recently hired an accountant who I will be working closely with over the year to develop the systems to write my model. At this time I still haven't decided whether or not I will actually get ISO 9000 certified, but I guarantee I will be certifiable. No pun was intended there.

My accountant is not the same old wimpy historian I have come to know most accountants to be. She is a different kind of accountant, a Certified Management Accountant. A futurist. A planner who specializes in developing business systems not just historical reports. Her philosophies echo Gerber's. Different terminology but still the same ideas.

A big part of my plan includes surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me, probably the easiest task I will face. This is advise I have heard time and again from many highly respected sources. It's all about synergy. The sum of the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts. I intend to lead this synergy to fulfill my primary aim. I am on my way to becoming the entrepreneur, leaving my technician background behind. It's time for me to build a business, a business that will allow me to live my life and enjoy every minute of it.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend you do. It truly is a must read. For me at least, it has opened up a whole new view, not just on business but my life as well. Remember your business is your life. Your life is not your business.

signed
-getting a little closer everyday.

Bexter · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 10:35 PM

It’s sounds interesting …I would love to read it. Could very well fit in the productivity thread.

We have a safety program now in place that has lots of safe work practices and procedures.
Examples would be … Backing up a trailer, Hooking up a trailer, Loading a machine on a trailer and chaining it down …. Planting a trees and shrubs…. Etc etc. Most of these are 5-10 very specific steps.
This is new to us and it has been a ton of work this winter… we are now ready to go for our external audit and if successful we will have our C.O.R (certificate of recognition) and will qualify for a 5% rebate on workman’s compensation. I also registered us with Worker’s comp in a program called PIR (partners in reduction) that may further qualify us for an additional 15-20% break on rates. Not sure if you have this in Ontario Diginahole?
As well as doing things safely we are also hoping that it helps with production.

diginahole · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2003, 07:56 AM

As a matter of fact, I took part in a saftey group this winter that qualifies me for a 5% reduction in workmans comp. Landscape Ontario has been a big supporter of workplace saftey by organizing groups to impliment safety policies in their individual companies. There has been a tremendous overall reduction in premiums realized in part due to the efforts of the companies participating in these saftey groups. 5 or 6 years ago our rate group was paying nearly 10% premiums, this year it will be under 5%. I whole heartedly agree that saftey can play a huge role in productivity.

diginahole · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-2003, 07:18 PM

correction: this years wsib rate is 5.45 down from 9.17 in '98.

Stonehenge · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diginahole
Remember your business is your life. Your life is not your business.

I would bet Gerber would disagree with both...

Though I have read most of it and think there are some very valuable lessons, I also think Gerber may like to read his own writing...That book could have easily been 100 pages shorter - if there are Cliff's Notes I highly recommend them. For example, at one point he writes:

"If you were working 10 hours per day, now you're working 12.

If you were working 12 hours per day, now you're working 14.

If you were working 14 hours per day, now you're working 16..."

Ok, thanks Mr. Berger - I had the math figured out after the first example...

Whew - ok, now that I got that off my chest, I can speak more about the book.

The franchise methodology essentially makes you look at your business a different way - how would I design/build this business if it were going to be duplicated 5,000 times across the world? In so thinking, designing and building, you quantify and categorize everything, and create standards and procedures for everything, so as Paul so eloquently put in another thread (which you'll find an almost identical quote in this book, BTW), the you must create systems such the the lowest common denominator of employee can accomplish the task. Procedures must be clear and unwaivering. They must be such that an average employee can do an above-average job, because in recreating this business 5,000 times across the world, you simply won't be able to find outstanding people to run all the key functions.

Looking at the problem that way seems to make it look more manageable; I saee myself still fulfilling several roles in the 'franchise', but my goal never was to build it and let it run itself - I like doing it.

diginahole · #8 (**permalink**) 04-14-2003, 04:01 PM

Your business is your life. Your life is not your business. These words to me describe the E-myth to the ‘T’. Your business is an important vehicle, maybe the most important vehicle, through which you can achieve your Primary Aim. Your Primary Aim is about intentionally leading a life that is consistent with your innermost desires, values, and beliefs. A life that feels right. In that statement lies the key. Your business plays a significant role, but far from the only role in living a happy and fulfilled life.

You can choose to develop your business in different ways. You could build it in such a way that it frees you to pursue other interests, or it could itself be a reflection of the very essence of what is most important in your life. I know for me, and I strongly suspect many of you here, the latter would be the case. I came to the conclusion that the discovery of my Primary Aim was one of the most important things I have taken from E-Myth. The E-Myth is about systematic goal setting, planning, and intentional living. It’s about living with vitality, commitment and passion. Or at least that’s my take on the book.

I agree Gerber can be a bit long winded in coming to the point. Heck, you should hear him talk. I did really enjoy the story of Sarah and her pie shop. I thought he painted a very vivid picture. His words effectively conveyed his passion in my mind. There is a condensed version of E-Myth available, The E-Myth Contractor. I actually read this book first but found myself hungry for more. I found E-Myth Revisited to be more satisfying.

diginahole · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by diginahole
.....I agree Gerber can be a bit long winded in coming to the point. Heck, you should hear him talk. ......

Here is a link to hear Michael Gerber. Some may find it painful to listen to, but I kind of enjoy it.

The Michael Gerber Show

Stonehenge · #10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 01:45 PM

I just tried - you know, on a side note, Real Player has to be the most inane, non-functional media software in existence. I don't think I'm a tech illiterate (quite a few steps above that, if I do say so myself), but for 3 years, approx. every 6 months, I try to load/update the Real Player software, and it has yet to work. Ever. I've downloaded just about every other file type known to man, without issue. But this darn stuff never, ever, ever works!!!

Ok, rant over.

diginahole · #11 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 05:55 PM

I hear ya about the real player. Iv'e never had any luck with it either. POS

Windows media plays the files just fine though.

Stonehenge · #12 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 06:03 PM

??? I can't get it to even open the files. Won't recognize the .ram extension.

Windows Media Player, that is.

diginahole · #13 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 09:59 PM

Well how 'bout that.... I thought it was windows media player I was using, turns out it's AOL media player. It plays with that if you have it.

Nebraska · #14 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 09:53 AM

Well.....how far along have you come towards developing and implementing your standards and proceedures in the form of an operations manual?

Stonehenge · #15 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 11:17 PM

How far? Well, I'm never as far as I'd like to be.

I know my goals are a little different than Digin's. However, I am making some progress on the standardization of the overall approach to a project, in the form of the Project Pack I mentioned in another thread (somewhere

). I've got some thoughts I need to put to paper for the foreman running a crew, daily check-ins, morning meetings, how to get the OK for a rain day, daily goals, etc.

I'm also photographing lots of our work so in the off season I can put together more of the 'how to' for the tasks involved in installing our scapes. But not enough time to put that part of things together now.

So all in all, I'm making progress, but not as much as I'd like. This offseason will be spent working fervently on that stuff.