The E-Myth Contractor: Why Most Contractors' Businesses ... (ISBN 0060938463)

Amazon.com Review:
Despite the single letter at the heart of its hyphenated title, The E-Myth Contractor isn't another book about e-commerce. Instead, like previous entries in Michael E. Gerber's popular series, it focuses on a different e-word--entrepreneur--and the fact that most of us who go into business for ourselves are doomed to fail because we really don't understand business. This time, Gerber lays out the basics for starry-eyed newly self-employed contractors who know everything about their trade but precious little about being a boss. "I don't try to tell you how to do the work you do," he writes at the outset. "Rather, I share with you some profound insights into how great businesspeople think." In his easy-to-understand manner, Gerber explains the concept of Strategic Thinking and how it "will enable you to create a business that works apart from you instead of because of you." He addresses key topics like money, people, management and growth with an eye toward making related functions run seamlessly and effectively as we build our independent enterprises into true companies that have inherent value whether we stay involved or ultimately hand them off to eager buyers. Taken to heart, it could save more than a few worthy ventures as well as the people behind them. --Howard Rothman

Grade School Lessons & E-Myth Acadamy Advertisement:
This is, at best the beginning part of a working business solution. Yes, Gerber makes a valid point about the E-myth concept (read other reviews if you don't know the concept) but it's really for beginners (newbs). All his books are really just advertisements,for his E-Myth Academy consulting business in the back of all his books. There is nearly no practical information. He makes his point about the E-Myth, then masterbates it endlesly, re-making that point six ways to Sunday, add nausium and leaves you wondering, well, but what should I do? Well, little lost lamb (newb), go to E-Myth web site or call the 800 number where they have a fast talking sales crew and sign up for 2 years of 700 plus a month (I haven't checked lately) consultation/classes. After you get the point that to make your technical skill pay/function as a business you need to have business skills/know how. You can sign up for the 700 plus per month for 2 years advertised in the back of his books. Start looking elsewhere for actual practical information. Because there are no E-myth books or tapes that have that information. You can do a lot for your business with that kind of money. I'm always shocked at how newbs starting businesses throw money around. Something to buy and a place to buy it, no matter how pretty it all is, doesn't make a successful business, In my observations, it's the major reason new businesses fail. I'm sure some of you with deep pockets or You corperate types who have never had to find the guts or earn the money to build a small business without Sugar Daddy Warbucks help will think I'm wrong. This E-Myth stuff is valid but it it's grade school lessons made to look like some kind of super-profound truth/solution. Well, it is, grade school true, now what Mr. Gerber, where's the solutions, spend, what, nearly 17,000 Sign up for what I thought I was getting when I bought the Books and tapes? What a greedy little tight wad! When are you going to write a book with substance? Hey Newbs! Trust me, yes you need real business skills, there are plenty of great business books out there, take some of that 17,000 and buy some and be careful with the rest you're going to need it.

Quick read explaining importance of CashFlow for business owners.:
This is another in the series of E-myth books. While focused on (building) contractors, it is very applicable for any business owner. It breaks down the different ways to look at money related to business. A quick read, especially if you have read the e-myth Revisited. I usually go purchase a bunch for each new client to get them on the same page of understanding that running your business by the checkbook or float is a recipe for disaster. I recommend reading this after e-myth revisited and before e-myth mastery.

Quick Read, Simplistic Lessons that are often overlooked:
I finished this book in less than a week and learned some lessons that I have often overlooked. That's the premise of the book, why make everything so complicated, just work on the simple issues and that will usually resolve most of the complicated issues. Since it was a quick read I was happy to complete the book even though it is directed at the Construction industry instead of the general contracting term that I was expecting. With that said, it was still well written and didn't waste a lot of time getting to the point.

Excellent small business framework:
Michael Gerber does a very good job outlining a basic approach to small business development. His approach may give some readers an enlightened perspective on their current small business dilemas. He has an insightful understanding of how typical contractors think and the challenges we all deal with everyday. This book won't solve your problems - you have to do that - but it will give you the basic groundwork needed to change the way you think about your business and how you run it.

Excellent overview and insights into a concept that so many contractors are reluctant to take on:
A worthwhile book and easy to read at night after 8 hours of hard physical labor. This will change your thinking if you are stuck in the dollars for hours mindset. Once you've read this, move on to the regular e-myth book for more in-depth tips (the regular book is a bit on the boring side, so get invigorated by the concepts here first).