Reading More Books Can Help You Transform Your Business
Every business person and entrepreneur should have an active reading list. While podcasts, YouTube videos or short articles can give us great information and motivation, books which often go into depth in a particular area or subject are still our most valuable resource. Many of the most successful persons in the world are avid readers. If you would like to read more, but are not sure where to start, just choose any book below and go from there. This list is taken from recommendations of the best books for business owners from Inc.com, Forbes.com, Entrepreneur.com and other popular sites. Cheers to reading more in 2018.
‘The Hard Thing About Hard Things’ by Ben Horowitz
This book is endorsed by Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Peter Thiel. What makes this book outstanding is that the author starts by saying that there is no formula for success. But, there are lessons to be learned from others failures and hardships. Why? Because, as an entrepreneur, you know how life can be difficult when you are faced with problems. Ben puts you in the CEO mentality by sharing his entrepreneurial story of how he overcame the competition and cultivated success. It’s a great read for young entrepreneurs looking for a mentor to guide them through their journey. This book isn’t censored – it’s the real truth about being an entrepreneur!
‘Mastery’ by Robert Greene
Success isn’t about what you know; it’s about who you are. Take a true leader from any industry and he or she could find a way to succeed in any other. Why? Because the traits necessary for success aren’t limited by college degrees and don’t vary across industries.
Mastery will teach you what these traits are, how many you have yourself, and how to develop those you lack. And once you master yourself, the rest is easy: You can master any industry or any market.
‘The Psychology of Persuasion’ by Dr. Robert Cialdini
Sales are all about persuasion, about convincing customers and clients that they don’t just want what you have to offer – they need it. Dr. Robert Cialdini doesn’t necessarily provide tips and tricks for increasing your business’ sales. This book is all about understanding what makes people tick, why they say “yes” instead of “no,” and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.
But influence goes even deeper than that. Cialdini doesn’t just discuss influencing others into taking certain courses of action. He also gives some grounded advice on how not to be manipulated yourself – something that can be crucial to making wise business decisions. He didn’t pull all this information out of textbooks, either. The book is based on 35 years of his own research.
‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey
This one has been around since 1990, but the advice is timeless and a 25th-anniversary edition is now available. So many small business owners have a difficult time straddling the demands of their enterprises and personal life, particularly when their businesses are in the start-up phase.
Stephen R. Covey tells readers how to beat that demon and achieve balance, so they can thrive in both areas. The focus is on beginning a business and on navigating those early days when there are often more questions than answers and the questions can be scary. He suggests beginning “with the end in mind.”
‘The E-Myth Revisited’ by Michael E. Gerber
One reason small businesses fail is a lack of systems. A lot of owners like to make it up as they go. This book is about putting systems in place to ensure the customer experience is consistent. Mr. Gerber explains not only why systems are important but how to install systems that will make your business better and more predictable. This book explains that the end result will be both happier employees and happier customers.
‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’ by Marshall Goldsmith
This book is about change. The book emphasizes that most problems in a business are caused by the person running it. Mr. Goldsmith has helped some very well-known chief executives learn skills that help them do their job better. Most important, he helps readers learn how to look at their situations with a fresh perspective.
‘Purple Cow – Transform your business by being remarkable’ by Seth Godin
You’re either a Purple Cow or you’re not. You’re either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice. What do Apple, Starbucks, Dyson and Pret a Manger have in common? How do they achieve spectacular growth, leaving behind former tried-and-true brands to gasp their last? The old checklist of Ps used by marketers – Pricing, Promotion, Publicity – aren’t working anymore. The golden age of advertising is over. It’s time to add a new P – the Purple Cow. Purple Cow describes something phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat-out unbelievable. Seth Godin urges you to put a Purple Cow into everything you build, and everything you do, to create something truly noticeable.
Hopefully, at least one book grabbed your attention. Purchase it today. Happy reading!
Compiled by Shellecia Brooks-Johnson
