Work it: take these disciplines, add lots of hard work, and master the art of running your company

Entrepreneur, April, 2005 by Mark Henricks

MASTERING anything doesn't come easy. In case you've forgotten, Michael E. Gerber makes it clear in E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company (HarperBusiness, $24.95). Gerber, whose other "E-Myth" books have made him one of the most-read small-business authors, lays out a regimen that will tax all but the most seriously committed entrepreneurs.

To start with, he wants your passion--all of it If your heart isn't in business, don't pick this one up. Still here? Start with the first discipline--"The Discipline of the Enterprise Leader"--and embrace the exercises, explanations and exhortations to accept all responsibility, to measure everything and to lead everyone. Then work--really work--through similar chapters analyzing world-class marketing, finance, management, client fulfillment, lead generation and lead conversion.

This could be dry, but it's far from it. Gerber bares his soul and admits his own mistakes with just as much fervor as he issues commandments. Go along, and you'll get much in return.

MARK HENRICKS is Entrepreneur's "Staff Smarts" columnist.