The world as we know it is constantly evolving, and so are ideologies. If you are an entrepreneur, what you have learned from the past five years probably won’t work today. In that case, you should train your mind to constantly learn new things.
From webinars to physical workshops, the opportunities for you to learn are endless. You can even choose to enroll yourself in a business school or grab a book from our list below.
Here are twenty business books highly recommended by the most influential businessmen. Whether you run a startup or an already successful business, these books will surely help advance your business acumen.
Twenty business books highly recommended by the most influential businessmen
1.The Lean Startup
Author: Eric Ries
This book is all about how Eric Ries defines startup. He provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in an age when companies need to innovate more than ever.
Eric teaches the importance of agile development and learning from customer feedback to build a successful business.
2. The 4-Hour Workweek
Author: Timothy Ferriss
This book is about “lifestyle design” and a repudiation of the traditional “deferred” life plan in which people work grueling hours take vacations for decades and save money to relax after retirement.
Timothy offers insights into efficiency, outsourcing, and the art of working smart, not hard.
3. Rework
Author: Jason Fried and David Hansson
This book shows you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. Rework is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own.
It flips traditional business advice on its head, advocating for simpler, more direct paths to success.
4. How to Win Friends and Influence People
Author: Dale Carnegie
This book contained sections providing colorful anecdotes and insightful wisdom. It instructs handling people, winning friends, bringing people to your way of thinking, being a great leader, and navigating home life successfully. It takes Carnegie’s time-tested prescription for relationship and business success and applies it to the digital age.
In summary, it is a classic that underscores the power of effective communication and relationship-building in business.
5. How Will You Measure Your Life
Author: Clayton Christensen
This book contains a series of fundamental questions everyone asks themselves at some point in time. It provides a holistic view of finding personal and professional fulfillment.
6. Linchpin
Author: Seth Godin
This book guides you on how to become a linchpin at your company — that is, how to differentiate yourself from other “cogs in the machine” to become truly indispensable. It encourages you to become indispensable in your field through creativity and passion.
7. Presence
Author: Amy Cuddy
This book presence explains the ways that our brain’s self-perception can be manipulated to overcome insecurity to allow us to be more confident and assertive. It reveals how your body language shapes who you are, impacting your business interactions and success.
8. Blue Ocean Strategy
Author: W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
This book proposed a system that would allow businesses to “create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant.
9. The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage
Author: Daymond John
This book is an entertaining mix of practical advice, success stories, and behind-the-scenes Shark Tank tales. It illustrates how a lack of resources can be your greatest asset, fostering creativity and determination.
10. The Creator’s Code: The Six Essential Skills of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs
Author: Amy Wilkinson
The Creator’s Code reveals six skills that make creators of all kinds of endeavours breakthrough. These skills aren’t rare gifts or slim-chance talents. Entrepreneurship, Wilkinson demonstrates, is accessible to everyone.
11. Boss Life: Surviving My Own Small Business
Author: Paul Downs
This book is all about the experience of Paul Downs on how he survived his business. It’s a story of trying to figure it out, day by day, and all the mistakes and false starts every business runs into along the way.
12. The Purpose Economy: How Your Desire for Impact, Personal Growth and Community Is Changing the World
Author: Aaron Hurst
A series of shifts are happening in our economy: Millennials are trading in conventional career paths to launch tech start-ups, start small businesses that are rooted in local communities, or freelance their expertise. We are sharing everything, from bikes and cars, to extra rooms in our homes.
13. The Richest Man in Babylon
Author: George S. Clason
The book begins with two men realizing that, while they lived a meager existence, one of their childhood friends had become known as the wealthiest man in Babylon. Despite growing up in similar circumstances, their friend seemed to have created a life of gold while they barely scratched out a living.
14. Think and Grow Rich
Author: Napoleon Hill
This book condensed the wealth of knowledge he’s accumulated into 13 principles for successful living.
15. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying
Author: Suze Orman
In this acclaimed book, Orman challenges readers to face their financial fears and acknowledge the importance of planning for the future. With a three-pronged approach, Orman tackles the mental, physical and spiritual issues that keep people from reaching financial freedom.
16. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Author: Stephen Covey
This book takes a total approach to success and encourages growth and maturity beginning with self, which leads to stronger relationships and greater success at home and at work.
17. Lean Business Planning: Get What You Want From Your Business
Author: Tim Berry
This books focuses in creating a mega business plan, with lean business planning, Berry encourages readers to create a manageable plan that will help them achieve their goals.
18. Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big
Author: Julia Pimsleur
The author shares her own story of becoming one of few women to be backed by venture capital in this book. She also introduces readers to other women who have built powerful networks and raised capital for their businesses, pushing past the hump of being “mom and pop” and onward to huge growth.
19. Invisible Selling Machine
Author: Ryan Deiss
In his book, he shares marketing automation tools and tips you can use to generate more sales in your business.
20. No More Cold Calling: The Breakthrough System That Will Leave Your Competition in the Dust
Author: Joanne S. Black
In her book, you’ll learn how to hook potential clients to make them want more. She also includes selling scripts, presentation techniques, advice, and tips to help you get more referrals and sales.
How many of these books have you read? Is there something else that you would like to add on our list? Don’t hesitate to let us know.
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