Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life [Paperback]

John L. Herman Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Business owners, entrepreneurs and anyone else wanting to succeed in life will find these axioms -- with true examples -- helpful in reaching their goals.

Hermanisms offers readers an assortment of straightforward advice, blunt commentary, and engaging stories based on Herman's more than 35 years of surviving the real world of business and especially surviving failure.

While the book discusses the likelihood of failure when you re an entrepreneur, it's not intended to discourage you from starting a new venture. Instead, it's intended to make you realize issues you may want to ignore, but shouldn't. And it has another goal: to make you understand that playing the game gives you more than just money. There are other "profits" to be derived from being your own boss. While your company may not make you rich, or last a lifetime, it will definitely enhance your being if you choose to let it.

With short, easy-to-read chapters for each of the 77 sayings that Herman lovingly refers to as "Hermanisms," this is a great book to have nearby. Use the few free minutes in your day to hear from someone who's been there -- and perhaps learn something that may help you succeed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John L. Herman Jr. ("Herman") is a business failure expert not because he fails in business, but because he knows why businesses fail. Of the companies Herman has owned, 15 succeeded and six failed. One became publicly traded, sold stock for 20 times the opening price, and soon went bust. Herman then ran a brokerage firm that consulted with over 1,000 owners of failing companies. In effect, he was a "corporate hit man" for the banks. They would convince owners to hire him, to recoup their loan money. And he did it well -- because he understood what the owners were facing. In fact, he was recognized across the country as an expert witness in corporate bankruptcy cases.

Herman's two books establish his credibility as a failure expert and show readers why they need to face failure head on and deal with the realities of life -- so they can achieve (or get back to) that great feeling of success.

He resides in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife, Maggie. They have five grown children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: HSB Press; First Edition edition (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979020417
• ISBN-13: 978-0979020414
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,669,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 77 short chapters crammed full of great advice, January 14, 2008

By 

Ted Demopoulos (Durham, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life (Paperback)

Are you in business, going into business, or just dreaming of working for yourself or running your own business? Read this book!

John L Herman Jr. is a business failure expert, and most businesses fail. Even successful businesses end up having some less than stellar times -- my consulting business comes to mind.

What's it take to succeed, what if you fail anyway, and when are the cards stacked against you? These are other issues are discussed in this book's 77 chapters, all short, delightful to read, and packed with experience. It's really just great business advice in a easy to read and enjoyable format.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Straight Forward Advise!, June 28, 2007

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life (Paperback)

Author John L Herman knows a lot about starting a business and failing, and starting a business and winning. Here we have a man who gives us a book chock full of first hand, in your face knowledge of what he is talking about because he has lived it. I don't know our author personally, but I definitely can tell by his book that he is not going to smooze you, as my dad use to say. No, he will tell you exactly what you are up against and sharply bring to your attention many issues that you probably will face in starting any business. Like it or not!
Why is this important and why should you care? Because these are the very things that can make you or break you and Mr. Herman should know because he has been in both places. His work is broken down in short chapters in which he uses 77 of his sayings, such as, " It Was Only Failure If You Failed To Learn, Otherwise, It Was Experience," (chapter 37).In each of these he explains to you what he is talking about in a crisp, no nonsense way. You may not like what you read, especially if you don't want to think there may be many obstacles and hurdles that you will have to cross, but it sure would be worth your while to know them before hand. As I read this book I truly knew this man wanted to help people understand the pitfalls, realize the inevitables, and use this knowledge to help themselves come out a winner. This book is full of help for the entrepreneurs if they are only willing to use it. If I were thinking of starting any venture, this is the book I would want by my side. Honest and open advise that gets right to the core of the matter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very valuable book, with proven insights, March 16, 2008

By 

Reg Nordman "(K)nights on the Road" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life (Paperback)

John L. Herman Jr. Is a failure expert who after building serveral businesses, he started one that capitalized the assets of failed businesses. This book is 77 examples of lessons learned during his life time. Eg. Do you know your real margins? Or, cost of goods is the most misunderstood part of business. He talks about how to know when to fold vs hold. A very valuable book, with proven insights. Would that I had found this book to give to clients years ago. On sales , if your client wants vanilla, do not try to sell chocolate. On reading, most leaders are readers. Buy this , read it and give copies to your stars.