The 7 Best Small Business Books
Written by Bernard on December 07, 2016
With the holiday season coming soon, or just for a generally great gift to yourself or someone near to you, there are a few amazing small business books.
These books have in some way or another changed the landscape of small business (and business in general) and they offer fantastic advice for the beginning entrepreneur.
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We’ll look at 7 of the best small business books we’ve read here at InvoiceBerry that we can recommend with 100% faith will help your small business succeed.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Okay, this one may seem clichéd or overemphasized, but it really is an important book.
It is the number one personal finance book of all time, mainly for Kiyosaki’s general writing style and the power of his message: that time, personal investment and imagination are the most important parts of creating wealth for yourself and your business.
Favorite Quote:
“In school we learn that mistakes are bad, and we are punished for making them. Yet, if you look at the way humans are designed to learn, we learn by making mistakes. We learn to walk by falling down. If we never fell down, we would never walk.”
Who moved my cheese? by Spencer Johnson
This is a fantastic book for discovering the value of (and approach to) change. Johnson creates a powerful case for the very nature of change: either as something happen to a person, or something initiated by a person.
Either way, that person’s attitude toward change is the most important for his/her life and business. Instead of fearing change, embrace it, chase it, and incorporate it into your business and personal life.
Favorite quote:
“What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists.”
E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
This is the book you need to take your through all the stages of entrepreneurship. It moves from the business idea in its infancy, to the difficult and struggling adolescence, and finally to the mature stage of entrepreneurial experience and lifestyle.
Through all those stages, Gerber guides you and shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to navigate and accelerate your business.
Favorite quote:
“Contrary to popular belief, my experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren’t so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more.”
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
This is a book wrought from the experiences (and failures) of Eric Ries, which largely comes down to putting too much energy in the product launch or the presentation of the idea, and not enough on determining exactly what the target audience wants.
Instead of spending too much time and energy on your product launch, you should work backwards from meeting your target audience’s needs and using lean methodology.
Favorite quote:
“We must learn what customers really want, not what they say they want or what we think they should want.”
Rework by David Heinemeier Hansson
This is practical advice in a convenient package. With many years’ experience at the software company 37signals, Fried & Hansson have collected the surefire ideas that have made their company a success, and providing that advice for other companies.
Lots of controversial advice here, including not creating a long-term business plan, not expanding too quickly (or at all), and keeping good workers around (and firing the workaholics).
Favorite quote:
“What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan.”
Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
This is the book for those wishing to have a location-independent work, traveling around the world and earning five- to six-figure incomes.
This isn’t about some grand hustle, however, it is simply finding important ways to be more effective. Once you increase your efficiency, you’ll be able to put in small amount of work (determined by hours) and huge output (determined by actual results).
Favorite quote:
“A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”
Inbound Marketing by Brian Halligan & Dharmesh Shah
This is the go-to book for those beginning with the new form of marketing, inbound, which is based more on pulling readers (and potential buyers) in, instead of pushing your marketing messages out.
This is particularly good for SEO, but also for establishing your presence online through various bookmarking and social media sites. A must-have for the 21st century small business.
Favorite quote:
“The first method is to think across the traditional boundaries of your marketplace to alternatives, not just competitors…The second method for creating a winning strategy in the era of inbound marketing is to be the world’s best at what you do”
Have you read any of these amazing small business books? Which were your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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