The 4 Routes to Entrepreneurial Success (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Personal Achievers are the classic entrepreneurs, the people we usually picture when thinking about an entrepreneur..." (more)
Key Phrases: strong positive relationships with others, more strong patterns, complex entrepreneurs, Personal Achievers, Real Manager, Expert Idea Generators (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

I found The 4 Routes to Entrepreneurial Success fascinating. After reading it, I was surprised at how quickly I could identify the various employees in my company, and the insight it gave me in understanding how to take better advantage of their abilities.

From The New Yorker

Jack Miner has conducted one of the really important studies of entrepreneurs and their firms, and the results are presented in a way that we all can understand and use.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st edition (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881052826
• ISBN-13: 978-1881052821
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #354,245 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable Insight I've Not Found Anywhere Else, December 3, 1999

By A Customer

This book is one of the few that I've read and immediately re-read word-for-word and cover-to-cover to make sure I didn't miss anything. It is a keeper that is as much about becoming or succeeding as an entrepreneur as it is about fitting who you are with what you do for a living. I found many things valuable about the book. First, it is based exclusively on extensive data collection, analysis, and correlation rather than observation or an academic's inspired perspectives on life. Second, one chapter is devoted to each of the four types with each chapter using a standard discussion/presentation format (prevalent characteristics and styles of the type, case studies, SPECIFIC paths to success for each type, successful work situations for each type, etc.) that makes it extremely easy to compare and contrast types as one determines which--if any--one is. Third, there is a self-assessment test to determine/validate one's type as well as extensive guidance on how to correctly interpret one's scores and mitigate response bias. Finally, instead of using the preceeding chapters as a means to induce one to seek him out for one-on-one (presumably expensive) career counseling, Miner provides a detailed listing of the more than 60 skills/values/personality type/interest/etc. tests administered to his 100 research subjects (MBA students at SUNY-Buffalo) and specifically advises readers to work with the book on their own rather than engage him. I have recommended this book to several others who, in turn, have read it and come away with the same decidely postive review shared here. I continue to find myself reflecting on material in the book and re-reading certain sections. I've no doubt you will not regret the small investment in this book, and will refer to it again and again as you consider its implications for your life.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable information that you won't find anywhere else, April 25, 2004

By A Customer

This book is so good that I read and reread it three times in a row! What powerful insights! You won't find this information anywhere else.

This book is a keeper. I took copious notes and am benefitting tremendously from these powerful insights. I found many powerful insights.

First it is based exclusively on extensive data collection, analysis, and correlation rather than observation or an acedemics inspired perspectives on life.

Second, one chapter is devoted to each of the four typeswith each chapter using a standard discussion/presentation format (prevalent characteristics and style of the type, case studies, SPECIFIC paths to success for each type, successful work situations for each type, etc.) that makes it extremely easy to compare and contrast types as one determineswhich-if-any-one is.

Third, there is a self assessment test to determine/validate one's type as well as extensive guidance on how to correctly interpet one's scores and mitigate response basis.

Finally, instead of one on one (presumably expensive) career counseling, Miner provides a detailed listing of the more than 60 skills/values/personality type/interest etc. tests administered to his 100 research subjects (MBA students at SUNY-
Buffalo) and specifically advises readers to work with the book on their ownrather than engage him.

I have recommended this book to several others who, in turn, have read it and come away with the same decidedly positive view that I have.

I find myself continually reflecting on material in the book and re-reading certain sections. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will find yourself hansomely rewarded for the small investment in this great book. And no doubt will, as I and my associates have, continue to refer to it again and again as you consider it's implications for your life.
-ufflo

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good For Personal Insight Into Your Entrepreneurial Style, February 4, 2003

By	Peter Hupalo (MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It seemed everyone purchasing my book was also purchasing this book, so I decided to give it a read. I really enjoyed reading "The Four Routes To Entrepreneurial Success." Miner researched 100 entrepreneurs in New York to understand the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

He found entrepreneurs tend to be one of four basic personality types. Miner calls these basic types of entrepreneurs:

--The Personal Achiever
--The SupersalesPerson
--The Real Manager
--The Expert Idea Generator

For each type, Miner offers possible routes to achieving success as an entrepreneur. Miner points out pitfalls each type typically faces along the way to success. While the other types can find happiness as employees in larger corporations or as entrepreneurs, Miner says Personal Achievers need to become entrepreneurs to achieve true fulfillment.

Some people have more than one of the above types. Miner calls these people "complex entrepreneurs." Of the entrepreneur's studied, 46% of the complex entrepreneurs had firms that had grown a lot, while individuals lacking a strong type didn't have any firms that had grown a lot. Only one entrepreneur, the owner of an industrial lubricant company, was strong in all four types. He could move fluidly between the various types.

Miner discusses characteristics of each type. For example, Expert Idea Generators love ideas, tend to avoid risk, and enjoy innovation. Miner tells us that risk avoidance is important because it keeps the Expert Idea Generator focused upon ideas that can actually work.

Miner writes: "Creative ideas have some redeeming social value; crazy ideas do not. The difference is very hard to establish when you are riding the wave of inspirational zeal."

According to Miner: "The ideal situation for any entrepreneur is one where others perceive that a high degree of risk exists, ... and the entrepreneur with his or her knowledge sees practically no risk at all."

We also learn that Expert Idea Generators often need a benefactor to provide financial support for their ideas. Expert Idea Generators, sometimes, also need managers to run the companies, because management often isn't their strength. Expert Idea Generators may not be particularly strong in following through and getting things done.

Expert Idea Generators also run the risk of becoming too product-focused and losing sight of the customers' needs. And, they run the risk of not knowing enough. For example, Miner tells us some people working in small family businesses might come to incorrectly believe they're on the cutting edge of knowledge, when, in fact, they aren't.

So, to become real experts, Miner says Expert Idea Generators benefit from reading a lot and getting experience at multiple companies in their industry.

Miner says another pitfall Expert Idea Generators run into is wandering away from their areas of expertise. Because Expert Idea Generators are often highly intelligent and may know one field very well, they may incorrectly come to believe they're prepared to tackle another industry as experts.

Miner cautions: "You are always capable of having really terrible ideas. Never forget that."

My only criticism of the book is that the test to determine your type (if any) seems too simple. Miner asks us to check one of three categories ("Very Much," "Sizable," and "Less") for various questions, such as "Need To Achieve." and "Love Of Ideas."

Now how the hey are we supposed to know our "Need To Achieve" relative to other people? Miner also says we can use our intuition to help us understand if we might fit one of the types. But, I'd still like a more robust test, such as the online test accompanying, "Now, Discover Your Strengths" ("Now, Discover Your Strengths" doesn't discuss entrepreneurship, but it shows how important it is to follow your natural strengths to be successful. It's a good book to read along with "The Four Routes To Entrepreneurial Success.")

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"