“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
A children’s author and cartoonist might have said these words, but the advice is very much applicable to anyone and everyone who’s planning to start their own business.
Successful entrepreneurs might have a hundred tasks at hand but the one habit you will find common to most of them is that they love to read.
Did you know that Bill Gates reads an average of 50 books each year? While you might not be able (or willing) to read that many, the point is that reading good books opens your mind to a world of possibilities and opportunities.
So, if you want to take your startup to new heights and secure a prominent place in the industry, it’s essential to read the best books on entrepreneurship.
Here’s a list of the top 3 books that every young entrepreneur needs to read. Once you have carefully read and understood them, move on to the others discussed later to master the art of managing a business successfully.
Top 3 Books Every Young Entrepreneur Needs to Read
1. Think and Grow Rich – by Napoleon Hill
First published in 1937, this book is a timeless masterpiece in literally every sense of the word. The fact that it has sold more than 70 million copies till date speaks volumes for itself.
If that still doesn’t motivate you to read it, consider this: Hill wrote this book after 20 years of research during which he interviewed several world-renowned millionaires of his time. So, it’s a great choice to learn the most in the minimum time.
Think and Grow Rich is basically a self-help book that focuses on personal development. It is easy to read and comprehend, and gives incredible lessons on what strategies you should adopt in order to ‘grow rich.’ No nonsense involved!
2. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action – by Simon Sinek
It goes without saying that the primary aim of every business is to get the target audience to buy its products. That’s all that the whole game is about. But achieving this is definitely easier said than done.
Simon Sinek’s book discusses the main characteristics of influential leaders and then highlights why every business owner needs to develop these traits as well.
As the name suggests, this book zeroes in on how great leaders encourage others to take action. The important thing to note is that they don’t just inspire others to act, but to act in the way that they want them to!
As a business owner, you need to master this skill in order to motivate potential buyers to choose your products over the alternatives available in the market.
3. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – by Gary Vaynerchuck
This book covers everything you need to know about marketing your goods and services in a way that guarantees high returns.
In case you don’t already know, Gary Vaynerchuck is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, speaker, marketer, and internet personality. He is best known for turning his father’s local liquor store into a giant e-commerce platform for wine.
In just a five-year time period, Gary turned the small-scale family-owned business that earned no more than a few hundred dollars every month into a market giant earning millions in sales annually. And he achieved all this merely by using social media.
So, to learn the road-tested marketing tactics from the guru himself, do read this book. It provides countless examples of how to promote your business in the right manner so as to build a large following.
Other Great Books on Entrepreneurship
4. The Startup Checklist – by David Rose
Staying true to its name, The Startup Checklist is a start-to-end guide for entrepreneurs on how to set up a business and keep it running in the long run.
Not only does it provide the reader with lots of great tips and practical advice on creating a company, but also busts various myths that surround the topic.
The simple and straightforward approach of the author is what makes it one of the best books for young entrepreneurs.
5. Radical Candor – by Kim Scott
A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, this book is based on the author’s own experiences in working with tech giants such as Apple and Google.
The book features meaningful advice and practical tips for being a better boss as well as a better colleague. Learn how to create a positive work environment, build strong teams and achieve more together.
6. The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business – by Elaine Pofeldt
Whether you plan to create a startup or work as a freelancer instead, this book is a must-read for everyone who is tired of working a 9 to 5 job.
Elaine is an independent journalist who loves doing what she does (while also looking after four young ones at home). So, if you are looking for ways to earn money without giving up the lifestyle you want, look no further than this book.
7. The E-Myth Revisited – by Micheal E. Gerber
People don’t plan to fail. They fail to plan.
The E-Myth Revisited explains the reason why many small businesses don’t survive past the first few years in the industry. It also dispels commonly believed myths about running your own business and various other things that often stop entrepreneurs from attaining their real goals. The book then goes on to discuss actionable steps you can take in order to overcome your fears and reach the top of the corporate ladder.
8. The Effective Executive – by Peter Drucker
The Effective Executive is one of the few books that Amazon’s CEO asked the company’s senior managers to read for an all-day book club.
The book talks about different strategies that you should adopt for smooth business management. It also sheds light on how to be more efficient and effective in making the right decisions. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need sharp decision-making skills, and this is what this book will help you develop.
These best books on entrepreneurship will give you lots of valuable information that will help you grow your startup into a renowned business.
So, make sure to check them out.
Happy reading
