Must-read books for business start ups
Entrepreneurs are book readers. I find that almost everyone involved in business start ups is also reading at least one book. The book topics vary and often it’s helpful to get a complete change in perspective from what one normally reads. Information & inspiration can come from many sources. Here is one of my favorites:
Love Is the Killer App, How to Win Business and Influence Friends by Tim Sanders
Joel’s review: Truly caring about someone else is the only way to network in its purest form.
I have been preaching that message for years in the context of starting a business. Sanders gives a 3 stage road map for winning business and influencing people using bizlove:
• Knowledge
• Network
• Compassion
Read books - lots of them - to acquire bizknowledge, broker bizrelationships with no selfish agenda and share your knowledge by recommending books to your network, show compassion by truly desiring success for your network, and you will become a lovecat.
This book has become a benchmark in my bizlife. Tim lists 10 books to further your bizknowledge. My favorite of those?
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
I just know that many of you have read this one, so rather than share my review, how about you share yours. Also, got any additional reading suggestions to pass along? Share the love!!
ps thanks to lovecat & StartupNation Community Advisory Board member Matt S. for this blog suggestion
March 27th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Hey Joel–
I’m about three-quarters of the way through Tipping Point and it’s really been eye opening.
Gladwell always amazes me with his ability to tie up seemingly disparate entities (like Paul Revere and Blues Clues) and make a seamless whole.
His conclusions are often counter-intuitive, but if you’re interested in how you can take the message of your business viral, I recommend this book.
I read Blink. But this is better.
Matt S.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
I’re read both as well, fascinating. The thesis of Blink as you know is: "The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" which I find to be a continual experience in running a small business.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:32 am
You guys may also want to check out Think by Michael R. LeGault.[link=http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1416523782/satisfaction1-20/104-7769751-8449532' target=''][/link]
It is a refutation of Blink.
I think I’ll pick it up just because I’m such a cranky contrarian.
Matt S.
March 28th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
I would recommend checking out Josh Kaufman’s Personal MBA. This is a great list of books for entrepreneurs as well: http://www.personalmba.com
March 28th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
A book I would recommend that everyone read especially when it comes to small business startup is "Wealth is Possible" by Rick Johnson. The reason I love the book is because it explains business startup from an open ended and open minded perspective. It’s designed for, what I like to call, "the spear thrower" rather then the "melee grunt".
Short explination- The grunt only see’s what’s directly in front of them and don’t want, nor feel it’s nessecary to look beyond 3 feet in front of themselves. However, the spear thrower is one who is looking 10-15 feet in front of them. They’re the startup people that come from corporate america. Like myself, we see that if things continue to run their course and I stay at this dead-end or even good job. When it comes time for me to retire, I will and when I’m too old to work and too broke to not, due to a lack of social security and retirement funds I’ll have to get another job at wal$^#(edited to protect others) and die in another dead end job. Ultamitely never living the life I wanted to live.
Wealth is possible by Rick Johnson
March 29th, 2006 at 7:52 am
Thanks Rick and Aaron.
I’ll put both on my "To Read" list.
March 29th, 2006 at 7:53 am
That should be thanks Dave and Aaron.
Sorry about that.
Matt S.
March 31st, 2006 at 2:26 pm
My most recommended book is The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber. It’s a fairly quick read and because of it, I was able to identify and fix so many problems in such a short amount of time! It truly changed the way that I view my business and the role of my employees. We were completely maxed-out in regards to the amount of business we were able to handle and the amount of time spent on each project. Thanks to a fairly simple reorganization, everyone’s work structure changed for the better.
March 31st, 2006 at 3:07 pm
[blue][h][b]THE[/b] MUST READ BOOK[/h][/blue]
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
March 31st, 2006 at 10:21 pm
I mention the book Blink again, as today it seems so relevant for me.
After being invited to take over blogfabulous.com…it took 1 second to say yes. I don’t know what came over me…I just thought it would be a good opportunity.
And it seems that is becoming the case.
April 1st, 2006 at 12:15 am
I started reading [i]Bootstrapping Your Business[/i] today on a flight. Haven’t finished yet (it was a short flight) but very interesting so far.
Kim, as I was waiting at the boarding gate at Detroit Metro Airport, I saw a store called [i]The Stylish Paw[/i]. It’s billed as a trendy pet accessories store. It seemed like the perfect place for your pet cards and stationery.
Good luck building the business. By the way, nice website.
April 1st, 2006 at 1:18 am
I think the most informative book I’ve read so far, for business and for life, is [i]"Leadership Secrets from the Bible"[/i] by Lorin Wolfe. A definite must-read.
[link=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1567315836/ref=sr_11_1/102-0225795-7043348?5Fencoding=UTF8' target='_blank']A Must Read[/link]
April 1st, 2006 at 5:47 am
I would also recommend StartUp Nation (Open for Business).
I’m starting to read through it for the second time.
Oh. I know what you’re all thinking… I should start working on a book, now, too.
Maybe title it "SuckUp Nation?"
Matt
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:02 am
Entrepreurs often feel alone in their journey. It is nice to share with others regarding the great books out there.
My top six:
1. E Myth Revisited - Lauren is right, you can quickly look at your biz through a different lens and move forward.
2. Leading the Revolution -Gary Hamel. Awesome.
3. Art of the Start - Guy Kawasaki, Pure pragmatism.
4. The Innovators Dilhemma - Clayton Christensen. Why the big companies are so vulnerable. Opportunity abounds!
5. The Tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell. I read this four years ago, still love it.
6. Love is the Killer App - Tim Sanders. Just his book recommendations make this a good read.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:13 am
Steve, thanks so much. I have also heard of The Stylish Paw…I will approach them.
Women should also get: Gail Evans "How Play Like a Man and Win like a Woman." This is about learning what men know about how to become successful. It is relevant in a corporate or small business environment.