Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way. Next, he walks you through the steps in the life of a business -- from entrepreneurial infancy, through adolescent growing pains, to the mature entrepreneurial perspective -- and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether or not it is a franchise. Finally, he draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business.

Based on the largest study of its kind ever undertaken, more than 80,000 managers in 400 companies reveal revolutionary insights about successful managerial behavior. The book discusses how they select an employee (for talent rather than experience), set high expectations, and motivate employees through encouragement and development of their strengths.