Being an expert in something indeed doesn’t make you a great business owner
Dmitry definitely thinks so. Being an expert in something indeed doesn’t make you a great business owner. Take a quick look around, and that’s exactly the reason why there are so many laborers and very few CEOs. Here is a breakdown on why being a skilled installer or technician often leads to business owners failing on an epic scale.
Gerber Saw this Years Ago
One magazine called Michael Gerber “the World’s #1 Small Business Guru,” so he should know a thing or two about running a successful venture. In his seminal book “The E Myth”, Gerber argues that the lingering problem in American business is that so-called entrepreneurs who go into businesses simply don’t know what they’re doing — only creating “chaos and catastrophe.” In short, they were never true entrepreneurs, and this indelible fact is at the foundation of every single business failure.
‘Entrepreneurial Seizure’
Gerber sees these epic failures stemming from a technician suffering from an “entrepreneurial seizure.” One who has expertise in something usually believes he or she fully knows how to run a business that does that technical work, which is “180 degrees from the truth.” Gerber is adamant about this indisputable truth: “Knowing how to do the work in a business has nothing to do with creating a business that works.”
What must be done?
Like Gerber, Dmitry also suggests that you do not need to hire experts. Creating an expert system or organization will leverage ordinary people to produce extraordinary results. So, it’s not the talent level of those people you hire, but their innate ability to thrive in the working environment that you were able to build from the ground up.
Dmitry walked in your shoes
Dmitry is clearly adamant that he isn’t trying to hurt the reputations of all those outstanding shinglers and roofers out there, as he was once one of those hardworking laborers. He also saw himself as a fast shingler who could give any roofer a run for his or her money. Dmitry often did siding installation and insulation work for $10 an hour. He would drive home with his face out the window so that the wind could blow away the fiberglass stuck to his face. But what he wants you to understand is that you must change your mindset to run a successful business. In fact, if you’re the best of the best, that’s likely going to be your downfall.
Yes, you will age
Dmitry thinks working with your hands day in and day out is for young people. You’re kidding yourself if you think you can work in the same capacity when you’re 50 or 60 years old. Your body will naturally break down. Dmitry has had his share of backaches and knee problems. That’s why you should start preparing now, so that when you do hit 50 or 60, you should be in a managing position in which you can share your expertise with others.
Completely different rules
When you start a business, Dmitry believes you’re playing by entirely different rules. Now, you have to learn how to hire, manage, and train people from all walks of life. Don’t let your ego get in the way. Take the so-called risk and hire that person who may be mediocre or average, and like what Gerber said earlier, help them thrive and prosper in your system to become true leaders. Then, as each individual becomes more acclimated in his or her role, more similar people will be hired to make your fast-growing company a booming success.
Learn to Delegate
Every year, Dmitry sees business owners who have failed because they never learned how to delegate. You can’t run a successful business if you’re doing everything — it’s just humanly impossible. You must have time and space to learn how to run a business. As Gerber said, “Most people go to work IN their business instead of going to work ON their business.”
Challenge Yourself
Dmitry wants you to quit the energy-draining competition of proving who is the best shingler or roofer. Quickly drop that ego. When you become a business owner, that type of thinking no longer matters. Challenge yourself to change your mindset and focus on building a lasting system that can create and grow profits for years to come. Dmitry knows that YOU can become that next riveting success story.
