| 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? |
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It Books In Print, Audio Books.