A thousand THANK YOUs to Mrs Bukky George of Health Plus Pharmacy.
One ordinary day, 6 or 7 years ago, as I went about my daily business of running a bakery, I received a hand delivered envelope. Inside was the infamous book ‘The E-Myth Revisited’ by Michael Gerber. I knew absolutely nothing of this book at the time. It was signed by Mrs George, as she wished me success in running my business. Little did she know that she had just changed my business thinking 360 degrees. As I coach other bakers to start and grow their own bakery businesses through my company The Bakers Academy, I always refer them to this book. In fact, it is mandatory that they read this book. It was an eye opener for me in the role that I play in my business and how I plan for growth. Don’t just take it from me, this book has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, so it is definitely work learning from.
The book addresses the reason why most business do not work. It explains that an entrepreneur has different roles to play in order to make his or her business a success. For example, a baker who bakers delicious cakes and is masterful at decorating same will not guarantee a successful business. He or she is better off working for someone else. We cannot only be the Technician in our business. We must also to the manager and the entrepreneur. The technician is someone who is the master crafter and knows the ins and outs of the tasks. The manager is the organised one who makes it all come together. And the entrepreneur is the dreamer who must possess the vision to stir the company in the right direction. All three personalities support each other to produce a well-oiled machine of a company.
The book goes further to explain how to build structure in a company for long-term growth. Gerber calls this the ‘Franchise Prototype’. He says, “A real business is one where the founder has created a system so that the business can run itself without their constant presence”. It draws examples from franchise businesses such as McDonalds, Burger King and the like. The book does not suggest that one must Franchise a business to be successful. It merely explains that there must be a strict manual which mirrors that of a franchise business in order to create a business entity that can thrive on its own.
This books has many great ideas and concepts. One of the biggest ones for me is to work on your business, not in your business. I am trying to work on this with my bakery business and have used these principles to open 5 stores…and counting.
Procrastinate no further, get yourself a copy, start reading, empower yourself and make that change to grow your business.
Be Inspired.
NM
