Fix This Next Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Fix This Next* by Mike Michalowicz about?

*Fix This Next* introduces a diagnostic framework for entrepreneurs to identify their business’s most critical issue using the **Business Hierarchy of Needs**—a model inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy. The book provides tools like evaluation worksheets to prioritize solutions, helping owners break cycles of stagnation by addressing one vital problem at a time.

Q: What is the Business Hierarchy of Needs in *Fix This Next*?

Michalowicz’s hierarchy prioritizes five business needs: - **Survival** (cash flow) - **Stability** (systems) - **Success** (profit) - **Transformation** (innovation) - **Legacy** (sustainable impact) Like Maslow’s model, neglecting base needs risks higher-level failures.

Q: How does the FTN (Fix This Next) process work?

The三步 process involves: 1. Diagnosing your business’s current hierarchy level. 2. Identifying the most urgent unmet need. 3. Focusing 80% of resources on resolving that need before addressing others.

Q: What are key takeaways from *Fix This Next*?

- **Prioritize systematically**: Use the hierarchy to avoid “firefighting.” - **Leverage diagnostic tools**: The Evaluation Questions sheet simplifies problem-spotting. - **Sequential focus**: Fixing one core issue often resolves secondary problems.

Q: How does *Fix This Next* compare to Michalowicz’s other books?

Unlike *Profit First* (financial systems) or *Clockwork* (efficiency), *Fix This Next* offers a meta-framework for problem-solving. It’s recommended as a first read to contextualize his other works.

Fix This Next

Mike Michalowicz

4.21 (703 Reviews)

Entrepreneurship

Business

Productivity

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Author

FAQs

Struggling entrepreneurs: stop fixing the wrong problems. Mike Michalowicz's "Fix This Next" introduces the Business Hierarchy of Needs, saving companies like Mark Oliver's from failure. Shelved 81,000+ times, this Wall Street Journal columnist's approach makes prioritization simple in a chaotic business world.

What is Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz about?

Fix This Next introduces a diagnostic framework for entrepreneurs to identify their business’s most critical issue using the Business Hierarchy of Needs—a model inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy. The book provides tools like evaluation worksheets to prioritize solutions, helping owners break cycles of stagnation by addressing one vital problem at a time.

Who should read Fix This Next?

This book is ideal for small business owners and entrepreneurs overwhelmed by competing priorities. It’s particularly valuable for those in growth phases (5–50 employees) struggling to pinpoint systemic bottlenecks in sales, operations, or team dynamics.

Is Fix This Next worth reading?

While some readers find the writing style repetitive, the actionable FTN (Fix This Next) framework and practical tools (e.g., the 1-Sheet evaluation) make it worthwhile. Critics suggest supplementing with summary articles if short on time.

What is the Business Hierarchy of Needs in Fix This Next?

Michalowicz’s hierarchy prioritizes five business needs:

Survival (cash flow)
Stability (systems)
Success (profit)
Transformation (innovation)
Legacy (sustainable impact)
Like Maslow’s model, neglecting base needs risks higher-level failures.

How does the FTN (Fix This Next) process work?

The三步 process involves:

Diagnosing your business’s current hierarchy level.
Identifying the most urgent unmet need.
Focusing 80% of resources on resolving that need before addressing others.

What are key takeaways from Fix This Next?

Prioritize systematically: Use the hierarchy to avoid “firefighting.”
Leverage diagnostic tools: The Evaluation Questions sheet simplifies problem-spotting.
Sequential focus: Fixing one core issue often resolves secondary problems.

How does Fix This Next compare to Michalowicz’s other books?

Unlike Profit First (financial systems) or Clockwork (efficiency), Fix This Next offers a meta-framework for problem-solving. It’s recommended as a first read to contextualize his other works.

What are the main critiques of Fix This Next?

Critics note repetitive jokes (e.g., bowling references) and a lack of depth in legacy-stage advice. Some suggest the core framework can be grasped through summaries or worksheets alone.

How does Fix This Next help overcome business stagnation?

The book argues stagnation stems from misprioritization. By identifying whether issues are survival-level (e.g., cash flow) vs. transformation-level (e.g., innovation), owners can escape reactive cycles.

What tools does Fix This Next provide?

Key resources include:

Fix This Now 1-Sheet: A quick diagnostic checklist.
Evaluation Questions: 20 prompts to assess hierarchy alignment.
Case studies: Real-business examples across industries.

Why is Fix This Next relevant for 2025 businesses?

Post-pandemic challenges like supply chain disruptions and remote team management align with the hierarchy’s focus on diagnosing root causes rather than symptoms, making it timely for modern volatility.

What metaphor does Fix This Next use to explain business needs?

The Business Hierarchy of Needs mirrors Maslow’s pyramid, translating psychological concepts into operational priorities. This metaphor helps visualize why neglecting fundamentals (e.g., cash flow) undermines growth efforts.

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Key takeaways

The Business Hierarchy: Your Path Out of Chaos

00:00

Ever felt like you're drowning in your own business? You're not alone. When entrepreneur Dave Rinn found himself short-staffed and overwhelmed, he discovered something revolutionary: not everything deserves equal attention. Most business owners start each day in firefighter mode-frantically putting out one crisis after another. Even when you find time for important projects, you question whether they'll truly make a difference. Sound familiar? The biggest problem isn't lack of experience or resources-it's not knowing what your biggest problem actually is. We rush to address whatever seems urgent while disregarding the most impactful issues, creating a "Survival Trap" where we take panicked actions to survive today, then repeat the pattern tomorrow. Mike Michalowicz experienced this firsthand, battling constant cash shortages and crushing debt. Despite increasing sales, his debt actually grew. His breakthrough came from an unlikely source-a jammed printer. After repeatedly trying the same ineffective fix, he discovered the real problem was a tiny crumpled paper. This became his business epiphany: what if his company's problem wasn't where he thought? Perhaps his sales issue was actually a profit issue. This realization led to 45 consecutive quarters of profit distributions. Just like hikers lost in the wilderness following instincts down one wrong path after another, entrepreneurs need a compass to guide their business decisions.

The Five Levels That Transform Your Business

Finding Your Business's Vital Need

The OMEN Method: Turning Insights Into Action

Building Your Foundation: Sales and Profit

Creating Systems That Scale and Matter

Building Your Forever Legacy

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Fix This Next isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Entrepreneurship. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

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@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

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@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz Summary

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The Business Hierarchy: Your Path Out of Chaos