From Data science to Storytelling. From Sales to Internet marketing. These books are pure gold for startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.
Reading business books can garner huge profits with a very small investment –a book is usually less than $9.99 – $29.99, and an average non-fiction reading session can last 30 to 45 minutes before you need to take a break.
Of course, there are no golden ratios when it comes to reading, and you have to find your own reading quirks. Never mind those pop culture myths about CEO’s reading a book a week. You have to find what works best for you.
For me, nothing competes with a solid 2 chapters read on my Kindle Paperwhite just before going to bed. The non-glare screen makes it so much comfortable to read, and has helped me read more than 30 books a year; thus helping me stay ahead of the competition when it comes to marketing trends, data science, digital strategy, storytelling and business strategies.
With so many books to read, and so much knowledge out there, this whole reading habit might feel overwhelming, that’s why at Idea180 we have gathered a selection of our favorite business books every business owner should read:
The best sellers
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Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action:
Why should you read it?
To understand what is it that really matters to your customers. Sinek tells us that it’s not about what you’re selling; but why you sell it, which ultimately gets to tell your story, connecting your audience with your purpose. Who should read it?
Anyone interested in leadership, and branding.
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Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers
Why you should read it? A book that manages to stay on top of the most-read business books since 1999 is definitely a must read. Seth Godin anticipated the way social media, and influencers would take over businesses and has some relevant insights about how to turn strangers into friends and friends into loyal customers. Who should read it? The business owners interested in social media, the digital marketing, and basically anyone who cares about maintaining a genuine relationship with customers. - The Art of War Why you should read it? Sun-Tzu’s Art of War is a book that has survived through the ages, and while some won’t like the cryptic way its passages are written, it’s a worthy read that might get you valuable insights about how to strategize to handle the competition. Who should read it? Anyone interested in digital strategy, overcoming failure and preparing for whatever may come.
- The Purpose Economy, Expanded, and Updated: How Your Desire for Impact, Personal Growth, and Community Is Changing the World Why should you read it? For Aaron Hurst, businesses are becoming more and more purpose-centered –and Millenials are a solid proof of this idea. If you’re still wondering about whether you should worry more about what your company can do to change the world, you should definitely read this one. Who should read it? Business owners who struggle with old-fashioned social responsibility instead of creating an organizational purpose that constantly contributes to society.
- Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
Why should you read it?
If your business needs a critical corporate culture change, and you’re looking for inspiration, this is your book. Tony Hsieh, the Zappos CEO, is well known for its unconventional strategies, and his dedication to his employee’s happiness –like paying brand-new employees $2,000 to quit or making his company’s culture a top priority. It doesn’t matter how crazy it might sound, what matters is why it works for him, and why it might work for you. Who should read it? Business owners worried about their employee’s well-being, making a change, and finding a solid corporate purpose. The ultimate business book list challenge
If you’re in the mood for a real challenge, here’s the full business book list we have created just for you. You can start with just a book a month, learn more about your reading habits, and step it up with two books a month. Find your own pace, and make every paragraph count. In the end, a paragraph or a chapter can have as much power as a whole book if it makes you have the right insight.
