A lot of people often ask me who I follow, who I recommend learning from, which gurus I like to follow. The truth is, I don’t follow many people. There are a few I follow and like to read or watch videos of because they’re knowledgeable and entertaining, however, I’m a big believer in learning by taking action but also reading books written by people smarter than me.
You can learn a few things by attending some classes. I know a few entrepreneurial teachers that I chat with on skype, 2 of them teach at major universities in California. They even admit that what they teach doesn’t prepare their students, the best they can do is assign reading and have speakers talk about their experiences.
What is it that they say? Read 5 books on a specific subject and you’ll know more than 95% of people? Who is “they” anyway? I’ve also heard that “they” say read 5 books on a subject and you’re an expert, but I call BS on that one. I do believe that if you read 5 books on a subject, you WILL know more than 95% of people… probably even more than that.
Anyway..
I like to learn from others through reading books! Here are some books I don’t think you should go without reading.
8 Books Every Business Owner Should Have
1.) The Lean Startup
A great book by Eric Ries and surprisingly versatile information. Often times when I read a business related book it’s either only relevant for internet based startups or solidly made for brick and mortar.
This book covers a lot of situations, and has good overall advice whether you’re selling web design and SEO services, or if you have an offline business.
If you’ve been around for a while and already have done some reading, this may not be as informative as you want, but you should still pick up some gold nuggets.
For those starting out, this should be required reading.
Definitely recommend for those starting a business or have a relatively new business.
Check this book out on Amazon.
Click to get: The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
2.) How to Win Friends & Influence People
What a classic this one is.
In high school or grade school for that matter, we read books that are the typical classics, like Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, 10,000 Leagues Under The Sea and so on. These books are great, they’re timeless.
This is another timeless book.
I read this book the first time at a young age, before I could really absorb what was really in it. This is one of those books I continue to go back to every few years and reread.
I always find it to be beneficial.
This isn’t JUST for those that are in business… this is for everyone. It’s easy to read this no matter what type of situation you’re in, and find some benefit. A must read for every beginner and veteran in business.
Click to get: How to Win Friends & Influence People
3.) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Definitely not as old as How to Win Friends & Influence People, but I predict it will stand the test of time.
This is a book that could benefit anyone, whether they are in business for themselves, working for someone else, or even if they’re retired.
It’s a classic. It should be mandatory reading material.
Like Dale Carnegie’s book, this one is one I read every few years and continue to enjoy. In fact, I’m due for another reading here soon, and actually I’m looking at it in my bookcase right now!
Currently free on Kindle Unlimited: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
4.) The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)
Why am I including this in the list then? Because it does get you thinking and it should be required reading. I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it. I really did.
However, I think this book gives a lot of people hope and dreams about being able to work a 4 hour work week which is really nonsense.
Timothy Ferris works probably 60-80 hours a week, to sell you on the “4 hour” system.
That being said, it’s an excellent book, but it’s not a book to encourage your laziness. It’s a book to get you thinking more in depth about how you can run your business and how you can be efficient, productive, and focus on high impact areas and tasks.
Get it now on amazon: The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)
5.) Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller – Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
I’ve seen some people that were happy and also unhappy with the revision. You may want to get the original if you’re a purist.
This book is often quoted by some of the most popular authors in present time. A look at people like Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison… how can you go wrong? Apparently the new updated and revised version looks at Bill Gates, Dave Thomas, Sir John Templeton and a few others. Pretty good company inside that book but depending on how much of an avid reader you are, you may want to get the original.
Another book that should be mandatory reading for anyone, but especially those in business.
Get it now: Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller – Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
6.) The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
My feelings about this book, are similar to the feelings I have for “The 4 Hour Work Week”. It’s a great book, very insightful and definitely necessary reading but the problem is the hype that surrounds the book. People get the wrong idea, and think that you can outsource or work on your business without ever working in your business.
This book covers the macro side of things, but not really the micro.
If you understand that, then you can get some real value out of this. Just don’t turn into one of those zombies that quote, and requote, just to end up broke because they never wanted to work in their business, and just outsource 100% of it.
Overall, I highly recommend. My problem isn’t with the book, but with people that get the wrong idea.
Get: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
7.) The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy
You’ll often hear of the “4 Hour Work Week” and the “E-Myth” talked about much more than this book. I wish that weren’t the case.
This book changed my life, my perception of things, and I feel blessed to have been recommended this book.
This book was recommended, actually, given to me by someone I consider a mentor. He said it changed his life, so I decided to give it a fair chance, I did, and it’s helped me a great deal.
I think every human being should read this book. Looking back, it doesn’t seem so extraordinary, because the advice is pretty straight forward, and basic… but it’s also been etched into my brain since reading it. I recommend all of you to read this book!
Click To Get: The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy
8.) The Prince
My favorite book of all time.
Very direct advice and thoughts that were carefully crafted but definitely not to avoid controversy. Political correctness meant something entirely different to Machiavelli, and his words remain true today.
I consider this a must read for anyone that’s in business. However, you need to really dive in on this book to relate it to your situation and your business.
Sometimes you have to be ruthless in business. Sometimes there is no mercy.
Get The Prince
Summary
There’s not much better than to be able to sit, relax, and read a book. There’s a reason why the wealthiest, smartest, most renowned people in the world are avid readers.
I try to read a lot, but definitely can improve. Hopefully you get to reading those books suggested above!
What are your favorite books? Any MUST READ business related books you think should be added? Let me know in the comments.
One of my all time favorite books is, Twelve Pillars, by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener.
It’s not a business book per se, but more of a “life” book. It’s a novel about the twelve pillars of success. MUST READ.
And, I’m a slow reader, and it only took me about an hour and a half to read it.
David, I think I remember seeing it a few times but I’m not sure I ever read it. I also remember seeing it referenced a few times. I will check it out!
Definitely check it out!
Oh, and a great business book is Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s by Ray Kroc. Bunch of gold nuggets in it.
2 new books on the list! I also enjoyed Business Brilliant, very good book.
Thank you for this precious list. I’ll read them one by one 🙂 . (I’m a great book reader).
I feel about the 4 hour work week like you do.
I can explain how to do something and tell you how to do it in a short amount of time but doing it is another thing entirely.
I can tell you how Michael Jordan did what he did and make it sound easy but actually doing it? Well that son is going to take more than 4 hours a week.
This reminds me of a story I heard. Henry Ford’s line stopped for some reason and he had to bring in some guy to fix it. The guy fixed it in a few hours and charged an very high price for it at the time. Ford was upset and asked how a few hours of work could cost so much. The man replied something like “you didn’t pay me for the three hours you paid me for the thirty years.” That is the thirty years it took to learn his skills.
Sure if you got the skills, after years of working many many hours, sure, the 4 hour work week is in grasp otherwise? Just have fun reading the book and don’t quit your job.
The E-Myth was ok. I had to skip through large parts. His dialogue with the cupcake girl became unbearable. I wanted to yell at the girl to get over herself and her feelings and just figure it out.
But yeah, people go crazy over those two books. When people I meet find out I am in business for myself they tell me I have to read them.
Yep! Both those books I really questioned whether I should include them or not, but considering the level of conversation they start on forums and on blogs, it makes sense to include them. I think the concepts behind most of the stuff are great, but it can easily get you sidetracked. Not really at the fault of the author but usually the readers. My biggest problem with those 2 books, is how delusional some people get after reading them.
Love the Henry Ford story. Thanks for the comment Evan!
I purchased The Lean Startup about a year ago but never got round to reading it as I didnt think I would gain anything in my current situation, glad you reccomended it here. Im going to start reading it this week and see what I can take away from it.
The book that changed the way I look at things was ‘The Millionaire Fastlane’ the title is deceiving, it sounds like a get rich quick scheme, it outlines 3 sets of people that are in the world and how each of them work, I always evaluate my decisions on this book. It taught me the real value of an asset vs a liability.
Thanks for the post!
It sounds very familiar, I’m sure I would remember if I have read it. I may just have it sitting and collecting dust, will have to put that on the to-read list.
As for The Lean Startup, good book and I can see why you would think that. However, I think it has a lot of good info and presents a fresh view that can impact your business. I felt the same way as you, but really enjoyed it.
Great Post Nathan. I really need to get into reading more, and this is certinaly a great list to be the catalyst for that. Thanks once again.