Have you read any epic, inspiring reads lately? Something that brings value to your own business ideas? There’s a lot to choose from people that have already accomplished what you hope to achieve. One of the great secrets to being successful is surrounding yourself with people who reflect where you’d like to be. While you may not have the opportunity to have coffee with Warren Buffett every week, isn’t reading advice from successful entrepreneurs just as good? Here are the latest and greatest books that can help you get greater insight into how to obtain your big goals.
Reading is an important activity. If you’re looking to break through challenges that are preventing you from reaching your goals, read a book from one of the great CEO’s. You get a different perspective and get new information that maybe you’d never considered. This could catapult into your next great idea or growth spurt.
We’ve added some great books that focus on success. There are also some reads that Bill Gates recommends. Reading books that don’t directly relate to success can still bring on some traits that can help you succeed.
Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding by Cynthia Johnson
Platform is by Cynthia Johnson. It is a handbook that helps you use your team and your influence to make your business better. There are strategies to help you with a powerful and compelling brand message. You’ll also learn to own the narrative that exists around your specific industry topics. You will learn how to grow followers who are likely to purchase from you (your target audience). The book is great because it breaks down how other masters successfully did their personal branding. She demonstrates how they were able to separate themselves from the pack through language, strategy, and promotion. This book is great for an entrepreneur who is looking to create a face for their company.
This is Marketing by Seth Godin
Seth Godin has proven how invaluable his information is. This book is no different. He helps you understand and then pursue true value to your target audience as opposed to marketing that will put you in the spam box. This book is the best book Godin has written when it comes to entrepreneurial spirit. If you’re a marketer, he offers solutions to getting to customers instead of just the organizations. If your company doesn’t solve the problem, you’re wasting time. You know this, Godin knows this. He helps you to change how you think about marketing in a positive direction.
The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business by Elaine Pofeldt
In this day, it is possible to be a millionaire as a one-person business. Pofeldt illustrates exactly how in her book. If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to start a business but you don’t know where to start, this book is going to be really helpful. It also helps you to scale without spending money. Pofeldt guides you on how to build your business that will get you to the million-dollar mark without having a team behind you. You’ll learn how to be successful in your financial and personal pursuits because after all, if you have money but no life, where’s the fulfillment in that? If you want to travel the world and make a million-dollar business while you’re lying in a hammock, this is the right book for you.
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Creativity, Inc is one of those books that’s considered a bible for entrepreneurs. It helps you to build creative teams that are able to think outside of the box. When it comes down to it, isn’t that what a startup needs for success? Ed Catmull is the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios (alongside of Steve Jobs and John Lasseter). The book separates mediocre mindsets from excellence. The book puts a lot of emphasis on having an outstanding team. He has found that a great team full of innovative thinkers can turn a good idea into anything. If you’re an entrepreneur, you will want to build a team and lead them to the mindset of having those creative ideas. You want to give them the freedom to think and speak about them.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
This book is for those of you who need to be reminded of your vision as your business grows. The book talks a lot about lean manufacturing and rapid scientific experimentation. You’ll get all the tools and tests you need to improve your business. Ries tells you in detail how to make decisions based on the original goals of your business. If you’re looking to build an innovative and sustainable business for the long haul, this book is for you.
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
This book is based on the identification of 1,500 people who were making $50,000 per year on a company that required a small investment, the investment being $100 or less in a lot of the cases. It’s easy to read and full of inspiring stories and advice from entrepreneurs out there who grew a business with very little cash. If you have an idea and think you might like to step away from having a boss, this is a great book for you.
This is a go-to book for the average person with an idea and a desire to leave or avoid the corporate grind.
Additionally, here are some books that Bill Gates recommends.
The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy by Ryoichi Mikitani and Hiroshi Mikitani
Gates says he liked this book because there are plenty of good ideas. Just a fast read at 200 pages, Hiroshi created a program in Japan that would bring more women into the workforce. The author speaks about incorporating more opportunity for English to be learned and used. Gates says he didn’t agree with the program Hiroshi speaks about, but he felt that an emphasis on innovation was helpful. The Japanese are innovative and you get a great insight into their mindset in this book
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Gates loves this book because it’s a solutions-oriented approach. He loves how Dweck explains how a shift in mindset changes how people think about themselves and their lives. A fixed to growth mindset is a positive shift, and this book gives all the intel on how to achieve it.
These books are for all entrepreneurs. There are many stages of your business, and each book can help you with various stages. A book can be much like a mentor in your life. Find the voice that resonates with you, and learn from those who have already accomplished what you want.
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