Mitul antreprenorial - Contractorul

Michael E. Gerber shows how contractors can build firms that run without them always being there. He sets the owner's role apart from hands-on trade work. This guide gives practical help to contractors and other small-business owners. It speaks to plumbers, roofers and electricians. Landscapers and renovators are also among its readers.

Gerber says owners often try to do it all. They may stick with known problems rather than risk new ones. He shifts the focus from daily work to long-term plans. The aim is to make room for family and personal life.

The book covers staff, money, time and work. It explains revenue, or the money a firm takes in. It covers profit, cash flow and equity, the owner's stake. Examples use Ray Kroc's McDonald's system and Frank Sinatra's albums. A tale of house building shows good and weak business methods.

Gerber lays out three plans. They cover the firm, its work and how to carry it out. He explains benchmarks, or marks used to judge progress. He covers what managers do and why firms need staff. He sets out standards for subcontractors and systems to develop them. He shows how to work out job times. He also covers sales and how to deal with complaints. He links clear client contact with how pleased clients feel.

Later topics cover growth, change and how to use time. They also cover how to build the business. Gerber sets work on long-term goals apart from daily tasks. He sees order as a way to think. It means more than filing or keeping an office neat.

The book forms part of the E-Myth series. It draws on Gerber's work advising thousands of small firms. He founded and led E-Myth Worldwide, a firm that gives business advice. He shaped his methods through years of work with owners. Those owners included contractors.