I loved this book by Michael E. Gerber. If you are a small business owner or new business owner you should read this book. It’s only $10 on amazon.com or you can get it from your local library as I did. It is a quick read and worth it.

The book dispels some myths that small business owners have when they start a company. One, that you are the same as your business. I have surely felt that way at times. This book makes a compelling case for the importance of building a company that can function without you – one that takes your best thinking and incorporates it into systems and operating principles so it will work even when you are on vacation or when you sell your business. Yes, I said sell your business. I hadn’t initially thought about that but I can see the validity of approaching a new business this way.

I also realized as I was reading this book how important it is not to be stagnant, but instead to be willing to consider new ideas and new ways of approaching things.

And I think there is a spiritual connect here too – we are continually given opportunities to grow, advance and develop (from Spirit). To keep improving what is the best life we can live/the most we can give. I remember my spiritual coach telling me that every moment I’m making progress I’m going further because of what I’ve learned and proven and how I’ve grown. That applies here – to business ownership and development too.

One of the basic assumptions in this book is that most people who start a business have skills in their craft, but may not have the skills to run a business. When you think about it – this makes sense. A story in the book illustrates a woman who loves baking pies and opens a pie shop. She loves the pies but avoids bookkeeping, managing employees and the rest. Basically it doesn’t work out well – she has to bring more to the table than a love of the skill. This book makes the important point of getting out of the mindset of the “doing” of the work and into the work of planning and building a healthy business.

There may be some ideas you don’t embrace fully in this book, but for me if I can take away an idea or two I can really use from each book I read – I’m happy.

Here’s a quote I loved: “If your business depends on you, you don't own a business - you have a job.” And of course having a job doesn’t mean having a successful business.

Lastly, this book may challenge some deep seated assumptions, but go with it. (Also there may be some ideas you don’t embrace fully, but take away an idea or two) There are several valid ideas and questions to consider. I marked important passages as I was reading the book, and then transferred those ideas and questions into a notebook and plan on using it as a workbook for re-thinking my business.

If you have read this book, I’d love to talk with you about it. And if you have put to use its principles, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to post a comment below this blog to share your thoughts. Thanks, Kim 

Read more from this blogger at Spirit and Entrepreneurship. 

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