Must Read Books
Every top entrepreneur has been inspired by at least one book at each stage of their journey.
Here are some of my favourite reads and ones recommended by other entrepreneurs that I admire. Feel free to email me your favourites so everyone can benefit.
What Business Should I Start?: 7 Steps to Discovering the Ideal Business for You
Author: Rhonda Adams
Subject: A practical approach to uncovering your business idea
Why you should read it:
What Business Should I Start?” guides you through a unique seven step process to identifying potential businesses you could start–making certain they meet your needs, suit your personality, fit your interests and goals–and that they have a realistic chance of success. The book then provides a framework for helping you choose among those potential businesses.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Author: Tim Ferris
Subject:
Why you should read it:
This engaging and humorous book makes you ask the most important question that you will ever face: What exactly is it that you want out of work and life, and why? Tim is the master of getting more for less, automating routines so that you can live the life you want and showing you how to do it.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael Gerber
Subject: Automating your business
Why you should read it:
When you’re in a business you tend to get caught up in running every aspect of it and working insane hours day in day out. Before you know it you’ll be burned out, when really you should be working on the business not in it. Michael offers insightful `ah ha’ stories to make you see why this is crucial to for your business so you can live the life you want.
Author: Gary Vaynerchuk
Subject: Combining your passion with business
Why you should read it:
Gary has created a million dollar business on being truly passionate and using his unique personality and humour to maximum effect online. By the end of this book, any reader will have learned how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. Step by step, CRUSH IT! is the ultimate driver?s manual for modern business.
Rules for Revolutionaries
Author: Guy Kawasaki
Subject: Creating and Marketing New Products
Why you should read it:
Guy was one of the original team who built and evangelised Apple to the world. As a result he has some straight up, fantastic advice to startups of how to Create like a God, Command like a King and Work like a Slave. Plus there’s a ton of great case studies and examples that make his teachings relevant.
Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide
Author: John Jantsch
Subject: Practical small business marketing
Why you should read it:
Duct Tape Marketing is the small business marketing road map – A collection of proven tools and tactics woven together in a step-by-step marketing system that shows small business owners exactly what to do to market and grow their businesses.
Viral Loop
Author: Adam Penenberg
Subject: Marketing
Why You Should Read It:
Viral marketing has been around for some time but it took the rise of the internet and social networking to really draw attention to it. This book offers some great insights into what works and what businesses can do to grow. Good info, good topic and fun to read.
Tribes
Author: Seth Godin
Subject: Leadership & Marketing
Why You Should Read It:
There are hundreds of books on leadership but Seth offers a fresh take in this book. While there are certainly mixed reviews on Tribes, the bottom line is the book focuses on the important notion that anyone can and should be a leader.
Purple Cow
Author: Seth Godin
Subject: Success & Marketing
Why You Should Read It:
Make your product, your service and your company remarkable. That is the main point of this book and as an entrepreneur this book will get you thinking about what it is you need to do to stand out against the crowd.
Eat that Frog
Author: Brian Tracy
Subject: Motivation & Productivity
Why You Should Read It:
As an entrepreneur there are often a million little things that need to be done. Eat That Frog is meant to help you become more productive by focusing on your high priority tasks versus all the little things that come up. Quick read.
Raving Fans
Author: Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles
Subject: Customer Satisfaction
Why You Should Read It:
This book has been around for over 15 years and yet the principles of going above and beyond for your customers still apply today. It is a simple yet valuable book.
Who Moved My Cheese
Author: Spencer Johnson
Subject: Motivation & Change
Why You Should Read It:
This book might take you an hour to read but you will most certainly enjoy that hour. Who Moved My Cheese offers a unique and cute perspective on ways people do and don’t adapt to the environment around them. A good read for management and employees.
The Fred Factor
Author: Mark Sanborn
Subject: Change & Customer Satisfaction
Why You Should Read It:
Every once in a while we need a reminder on how to go the extra mile for those around us. Sometimes we forget or simply get used to acting a certain way. It is the little changes you make that can improve your life and others’ lives as well.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba
Subject: Inspiration & Entrepreneurialism
Why You Should Read It:
This book doesn’t fit onto your typical “business book” list but every once in a while you read a book that genuinely inspires you. This true story, written by the main character, shows how determination and perseverance really do pay off. Also a good reminder that sometimes the littlest things can make the biggest difference.
