Business & Development
What books should you read if you want to become a successful entrepreneur
The 20 most valuable books for entrepreneurs
Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for a while, these books will teach you how to think like an entrepreneur and make your business thrive. So what are you waiting for? Start reading!
1. The Lean Startup: Eric Ries
In The Lean Startup, Reis talks about how you don’t need to spend months or years creating a business plan for your company; you need to get started and continuously improve as you go along. He urges businesses not to worry too much about planning and focus more on continually testing out what works, adapting to change along the way. Through the use of case studies, Ries teaches entrepreneurs how to adapt and experiment their way to success.
2. Rework: Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework is a book that shows how much of what we’re told about business is wrong, and that by doing things differently, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. Fried and DHH talk about how you don’t need to follow the traditional way of doing things when it comes to running a business. They say that time is short and that most entrepreneurs are trying to do too many things at once. Their advice? Stop trying to be perfect and just get started, because if you spend too much time planning, nothing will ever get done. They also say that you shouldn’t let your competition dictate what it is you do, which means trying to be everything for everyone isn’t the way forward.
3. Outliers: Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers looks at what separates successful people from those who aren’t so successful. It explores why some people are more successful than others and shows that it’s not necessarily due to hard work, intelligence or talent. Gladwell argues that there are certain circumstances that need to be in place for somebody to become highly successful, which he calls ‘The 10,000 Hour Rule. He says that you need to put in an enormous amount of time perfecting your craft before you can expect to become a success. It’s an interesting read that shows how it’s not always what you know, but who you know that is the key to your business’ success.
4. The Innovator’s Dilemma: Clayton Christensen
This book will show you how the following tradition is one of the worst things an entrepreneur can do if they want to achieve real growth and become successful in the long term. He explains that as soon as a business does what everyone else does, it becomes predictable and easy for others to copy. He also shows how businesses who are able to achieve success in the short term are often unable to innovate when opportunities arise, which then leads them into decline. For example, if you’re selling a product that has good short-term sales, but it only replaces an existing product that customers already have, you’re just doing what everyone else does and not making the most of the opportunity. This book is great for entrepreneurs who want to innovate before it’s too late.
5. The Art of War: Sun Tzu
The little book The Art of War has been read by countless entrepreneurs and CEOs throughout history because it contains such valuable advice on how to think like an entrepreneur. Written by Sun Tzu, a Chinese General, the book teaches entrepreneurs how they must be creative and adaptive if they want to achieve long-term success as well as using fear as a tactic to get what they want. It’s all about outsmarting your competition and beating them at their own game, whilst also knowing when to back off. This classic book is packed full of timeless advice that every entrepreneur should read at least once.
6. The Black Swan: Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The Black Swan looks at how unpredictable events can have a massively powerful impact on your business, for better or worse. It explains the difference between being prepared for problems and being over-prepared, and how it’s important to be flexible and ready for anything because you never know what the future holds. It also shows how businesses should always expect the unexpected if they want to succeed in the long term.
7. Getting Things Done: David Allen
Getting Things Done is a guide on how to manage your time, tasks, and responsibilities effectively so you can perform at your best. It’s one of the most highly regarded books about productivity ever written and is commonly recommended to entrepreneurs who are looking to get more done in less time. The book advocates that if you want to be able to get things done, then you need to stop trying to do everything at once. It shows how you need to focus on the most important tasks and make sure you get them done every day, and not worry about what you didn’t finish.
8. The Greatest Salesman in the World: Og Mandino
This book looks at how selling is truly one of the noblest professions that exist, and that everyone has something they can sell whether they realise it or not. It teaches you about the ten characteristics of successful salespeople, as well as showing how becoming a truly great salesperson is all about mastering yourself first.
9. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future: Peter Thiel
Zero to One shows that there is always something new to be discovered, and even more opportunities for this if you are the first person to discover it. It shows that by setting out on an adventure to discover the unknown, you will always get the chance to do something new and unique.
10. Think and Grow Rich: Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow rich was written during the Great Depression by Napoleon Hill who interviewed over 500 successful people about their secrets to success, and how they achieved it. He distilled all of their answers down into 17 key principles that anyone can follow to become successful in whatever field they choose. The book shows what you need to do if you want to achieve your dreams, which is to think about them first!
11. Rich Dad Poor Dad: Robert T Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad shows why it is important to teach your children about money, to help them realise that the system is broken and they need to take control of their financial future. He also explains how you can break free from the traditional method of getting a job and making someone else rich.
12. Crush It!: Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crush It is a great book that shows you how building your personal brand on social media can be a fantastic way to promote and grow your business. He explains how you shouldn’t just rely on free social media marketing tips but actually put in the work to figure out what will get people talking about you.
13. The Power of Broke: Daymond John
The Power of Broke looks at how entrepreneurs should think differently about money and wealth creation, as those who have been broke before are actually more likely to make it big because they know all the tricks of the trade. He shows how those with limited resources can harness them to their advantage, and come out on top.
14. The 4-Hour Work Week: Tim Ferris
The 4-Hour Work Week shows how you can live the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of without requiring huge amounts of your time. It’s all about how to outsource, automate and delegate tasks so you can spend less time doing the things that don’t matter. By working smarter, not harder, it is possible to live a life of luxury and travel the world.
15. The Dip: Seth Godin
The Dip is a fantastic book by the marketing genius, Seth Godin, that teaches you that if you have to quit, then it’s actually a good thing. He shows that the only way to win is to recognise when a project or job is a great opportunity, and then to go all-in with both feet. The book will teach you how to identify when to quit an opportunity, and also when not to.
16. The Millionaire Fastlane: M.J. DeMarco
The Millionaire Fastlane shows how most people are stuck in the wrong lane and will never make it to become wealthy. It shows how the world is actually full of two types of people, those that learn to take control of their financial future and start winning in life, and those that do nothing and continue losing.
17. Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant: Robert Kiyosaki
Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant shows you how to use the quadrant system for investing your money so that you can generate more cash flow and create passive income. It also shows how you need to stay focused on what brings the biggest return, which is why it is so crucial for entrepreneurs to master their time, cash, and relationships.
18. Delivering Happiness: Tony Hsieh
Delivering Happiness looks at what you should do to find your own personal happiness, and shows how company culture can make or break your business. Tony Hsieh shows how you need to invest time in core values, culture, and relationships if you want to succeed in business.
19. What Is Your WHAT?: Steve Olsher
What Is Your WHAT? shows how you need to work out what your “thing” is and start doing it, so you can start getting paid for what you do. In this book, Steve Olsher uses real-life experiences to explain how it’s important to have mentors and coaches to help you navigate the business world.
20. The Start-Up of You: Reid Hoffman
The Start-Up of You shows that in our current business environment, where you can learn almost anything online for free, success is based on the ability to adapt and think for yourself. It shows that now more than ever, it’s critical that you take full responsibility for your own career path, so you can get the most out of your talent and not feel pressurised to follow the crowd.
Have you read any of these? What are your favorite entrepreneurship books? Did I miss any? Leave a comment to let me know.
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