Over the break I read the old 1995 business bestseller, The E-Myth, Revisited, by Michael Gerber. Twelve years on, it's just as relevant to business owners today, as it was when first published.

It provides amazing insights on why new businesses operate the way they do. Why 70% fail. It takes us through a proven 'formula' that helps Entrepreneurs reduce startup failures and expertly manage growth.

But the reason I liked this book was that its message particularly applies to manufacturers and service providers. Much emphasis is placed upon processes that take any erratic human element out of the equation. To quote the author: "The secret is to build a system that leverages your ordinary people to a point where they can produce extra-ordinary results over and over again"

Entrepreneurship certainly drives top performing print providers. They all have good systems and workflows in place to keep everyone on track too. This was most evident in the success of a small, innovative printer I worked with here several years ago.

Everyone always knew what they and others were doing, with the status of every quote or job instantly on hand via their MIS. A remarkably quiet, low-stress environment. Happy customers too with no job or billing errors, no arguments, and very few late payers. Even when the owner or key people were on holiday, nothing really changed; no panic; no avalanche of paperwork when they returned. The 'systems' the owner put in place to help his staff and customers, effectively ran the operation automatically, in a totally controlled, predictable manner.

It was a joy to watch and be a part of. It taught me that it takes more than the latest production equipment to make a good, efficient printshop.  Read the book.

The E Myth Revisited - Click here to Buy

Comments (0)