Working on the business or in the business is a key distinction.

Quint Studer recommends Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited and explains the difference between day-to-day work in the business and deliberate work on systems and talent development.

Quint Studer writes that Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited taught him to work on the business rather than only in it. The book was first published in 1995 and was recommended to him during a small business roundtable. Studer says he started a company at age 48 and that building talent became central to sustaining the business. He also describes how mandatory professional development early in his career forced him to work on the business instead of remaining tied to daily tasks. Key points: - The E-Myth Revisited is recommended as a foundational book on the idea of working on a business rather than only in it and was first published in 1995. - Studer learned the concept after a roundtable of small business owners where the book was suggested. - He started a company at age 48 and reports that building talent is a key element of sustaining an organization. - "Working in the business" refers to daily operational tasks such as shifts, ordering supplies, and payroll; "working on the business" refers to creating systems, processes, and staff development. - The article emphasizes standard operating procedures as important for consistency and for giving employees independence to act without constant supervisor direction. - Self-care is mentioned as part of working on the business, with the idea that internal health supports being helpful to others. Summary: Studer frames working in the business as day-to-day operations and working on the business as the deliberate work of building systems, procedures, and staff capability that reduce dependence on a single leader. He highlights standard operating procedures and skill-building as central to that shift. He says he will share practical ways to begin making that shift in a future column.