Whether you are just starting up, or working your way into your second year as a new business owner, there are still many challenges to overcome as you try and make your company successful. Here are some books that have made an impact on entrepreneurs worldwide.
1. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter: A book that delves into the differences between what the rich and poor teach their children. The book is known for its unique definition of assets and liabilities, but also what it takes to become successful financially.
2. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz: We all know bad things happen. Ben Horowitz’s book focuses on what to do to save yourself when the tough times hit. He also promotes ideas about the tough decisions and actions that need to be made when trying to create a successful business. His straightforward advice can give readers an easy to follow perspective.
3. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell: Malcolm Gladwell is known for his philosophical approach to financial and economic trends. This book explores societal trends and personality traits and their impact, or lack thereof, in crime, fashion, and finances. A great insight into the different types of people you meet in business.
4. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss: It may seem impossible, but Timothy Ferriss has made it work. He focuses on the ideas of automation within the company and using strategies to avoid being overworked and enable the individual to enjoy life, before retirement.
5. Business Adventures by John Brooks: A compilation of major events in the financial industry and how they made certain companies the household names. Well known for being a favorite amongst Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
6. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull: A creative approach to the business industry. Covering the journey of Ed Catmull, founder of Pixar, and his dream to create a company and climate that thinks outside the cookie-cutter corporate approach.
7. The 7 Day Startup: You Don’t Learn Until You Launch by Dan Norris: A well-received book about overcoming failures, ignoring some of the more frivolous ideas out there, and building a company from the ground-up.
8. The Virgin Way: If It’s Not Fun, It’s Not Worth Doing by Richard Branson: Richard Branson is known for his bold style and fierce, if unorthodox, outlook on the business perspective. This book entails his adventures in business and the principles he has created, and stuck to, to make The Virgin Group what it is today.
9. Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston: Want to learn from the best? This book has interviews with some of the biggest names and founders in technology. See where they started and the moves they made to make it to the top.
While being an entrepreneur is not the same journey for everyone, there is much you can learn from the trials and tribulations of those before you. Do your research and take these many words of advice with an open mind.
Sources:
• http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-must-read-books-for-young-entrepreneurs.html
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240288
• http://www.inc.com/jeremy-goldman/9-books-bill-gates-recommends-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur.html