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Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life

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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.

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.

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.

I have listened to Herman speak: he is incredible. Then, I read "Hermanisms." His excitement to help entrepenures is motivating. However, he is not a cheesy "motivational speaker/author. He gives real advice that he learned over the course of his lifetime doing business. I honestly believe that real world experience is better than any graduate degree. Why not learn from others instead of making these own painful mistakes yourself?

Hermanisms is a MUST READ for any small business aspiring to be BIG someday. Herman, with quick witted charm, helps each of us face the challneges of growing a business concept into reality without losing your shirt and shoes as well.

Take the time to read this book every day of your business life and you will find great wisdom, energy, passion and spirit for entrepreneurs in all walks of life. Ths book sits on my desk as a reference guide, helping me be successful in life everyday, Thank you Herman!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure what I would find based on the title. My first thought was "who is John Herman and why would I read about his axioms for business?" Then I started reading the book and found it a very enjoyable read!

It is full of useful wisdom and knowledge. John's warm and casual writing style pulled me in and made the book easy to read. From the sound business wisdom to the anecdotal stories of triumph and defeat, I was hooked! John has done it all in business - he has failed and succeeded and shares wisdom about how to handle both.

There are 77 axioms in this book - each one is short and to the point. Here are some examples of the Hermanisms - Axiom #53 - What did you do today to move the ball down the court? Axiom #60 - A great idea, talent, hard work, good timing, help from others, immense publicity, and luck are sometimes all you need to make it. Axiom #72 - Sometimes we have to trust what we can't see.

As a serial entrepreneur I have experienced the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys of owning a business. This book helped validate my feelings and pumped me up for continued success in my current business. You can use this book like a road map on the rewarding, but sometimes difficult, journey as a business owner.

Bookstore shelves are crammed full of titles that presume to give useful advice to any brave soul who wants to start a business or otherwise become an entrepreneur. Many of those books were written by famous folks whose names alone evoke images of success. So who is John L. Herman Jr., and why is he giving us words to live by?

Readers of Herman's first book (the autobiographical "The Innkeeper Tales") know who he is, and they'll be familiar with some of the stories he recounts here. For the record: Herman currently owns a Baltimore bed and breakfast but bills himself as a "business failure expert." He served in the U.S. Air Force, earned a degree from Towson, and refers to his past as graduating from "the Herman School of Business." He has started, taken over, and sold a variety of enterprises. One of his longest-lasting careers was finding new buyers for failing businesses and factories. So he does indeed have experience, both first and second hand, with the ups and downs of the business world. Certainly he has developed some opinions on the subject over the years.

On these pages Herman gives us 77 axioms, most with follow-up explanations or illustrative examples from his own life. Many will be familiar concepts, often employing what seems like common sense -- which of course isn't all that common anymore. Here are some samples:

- Know your unit cost (#27)
- "Somewhere between total success and abject failure is where we live most of our lives." (#38)
- "There is unlimited opportunity, but limited time." (#42)
- Air Force emergency rules can apply to failed businesses (#51)
- "Some people are 'skeptators,' skeptical spectators who are always trying to discourage your dreams." (#62)
- "Answer the phone as if it were a guest at your front door." (#64)
- "I can wallow in self-pity, or I can begin to heal." (#71)

And of course, the bottom line question for your business: "Are you making money, or wasting time?" (#55) It all comes down to that basic concept, one that we sometimes have a difficult time asking ourselves.

The question is: after breezing through these 77 chapterettes, will you still want to try your hand at making it on your own in the business world? Mr. Herman brings reality right to your doorstep, showing quite clearly that an entrepreneurial endeavor is more challenging to start than it may seem at first. Fence-sitters who read this book might as a result decide that the risk isn't worth the cost, financially or emotionally. And that would probably be a good thing.

John L. Herman, Jr. is not nationally or internationally famous, but that doesn't mean his advice won't ring true. This is a quick but worthwhile read for the small business person or for individuals contemplating quitting their day jobs to venture out on their own.

When I first pulled this book out of the shipping materials, I instantly was impressed by the cover art and the beautiful raised, gold foil letters of the cover. Once I started reading, I understood why.

"Hermanism #5: Find a way to cut costs without cutting corners or quality." He talks about his choice to present a beautiful book that readers can be proud to own. I am always impressed by people who practice what they preach and in the literary industry there are way too many publishers and authors who sacrifice quality for lower costs.

I also appreciate authors who have a "punny side". The title to Hermanism #21: "Know math or no money" (Say it out loud if you need to.) is a fun play on words that sticks in your mind. I like that the author has wit and style. Even better, once you hit #24, you realize that he understands people on a level every employee wishes their boss could attain.

Being a business book, what does the above have to do with a good informational business book? Honestly, everything. This book is written to give advice for the entrepreneurs who usually end up as bosses. Having been an employee for years, I can look back and see that the best bosses have been the witty (dare I say charming?), stylish bosses that understood people.

Mr. Herman takes all of these desirable traits and rolls them together into a neat package for everyone to learn. The tips are pertinent and some I consider uncommon common sense. After reading the book, I am tempted to take him up on the offer he presents to everyone for a few business ventures I have been interested in. He printed his email in the book for anyone to write him and bounce their ideas off him.

Honestly, the clincher for me was # 70. I think Mr. Herman really hits priorities one the nose with that one...

...but you'll have to read the book to find out what it is.

Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & LifeI placed my order for a book on July 13 and never received it. I contacted the store that was supposed to ship this item which they claimed they did on July 14. The item seems to have vanished in thin air and there does not seem to be a way to track the shipment and once again I will go to a brick & mortar store if I want a book. My loss was a little over $4 dollars but a loss none the less

Forlorn