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7 Top Business Plan Books for New-age Entrepreneurs

Free Ultimate Guide On Writing A Business Plan

• October 18, 2023

12 Min Read

Business Plan books are the first thing to go for once you have decided on the idea you want to pursue as an entrepreneur.

Starting up as an entrepreneur is not as simple as it seems. Transforming your idea into a business that creates value for the world is a long process.

The process is full of uncertainties, hurdles, and burnout. To make consistent efforts without giving up, you need a plan you can rely upon.

A plan that helps you in making wise decisions in your entrepreneurial journey is known as a business plan.

It also helps in refining processes and keeps you in line with your business goals.

Now, how would you create a business plan?

Well, you can anyhow get to know what it contains. However, to easily create a business plan that covers all aspects of your business, you must read these books.

In this article, we are going to discuss the 7 top business plan books written for ambitious entrepreneurs like you!

Best Business Plan Books

• Art of the Start 2.0
• The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies
• The Founder’s Dilemma
• The One-Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur
• The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan
• Anatomy of a Business Plan
• The Complete Book of Business Plans

1. Art of the Start 2.0

Goodreads rating: 3.87/5

The author of this book is American millionaire Guy Kawasaki. Though his name is enough for anyone to stand up from their seats let me tell you a few things about him.

• He worked with Apple in 1984 as a part of the marketing team for Macintosh computers.
• He is the author of 12 books including The Art of Social Media, and Enchantment.
• He is currently working as the chief evangelist of Canva which is a graphic designing software.

Now coming to what this book holds for you, it’s one of those books that focus on transforming your business idea into a full-fledged organization.

Guy Kawasaki explains why it is important to have a vision and how you, as an entrepreneur, can feed your team with the same vision.

If your team does not adhere to the same vision, there will always be chaos in the workspace.

You must also share stories about your product and your journey. Everyone loves stories. You don’t have to write a 300-page book but a few social media posts, and videos that resonate well with your target audience.

The book also guides entrepreneurs while hiring. It tells you to hire people who are new in the industry. They are most likely to innovate new products as they consistently ask questions.

Key Highlight:

This book will help you in writing a business plan along with guiding you in various steps of entrepreneurship. This book holds something for every aspect of entrepreneurship.

It also stresses how you can use the internet and cloud tools to make the processes more accessible and more efficient. In the modern era, businesses are equipped with tools that are affordable and accessible to everyone.

Moreover, the book also throws light on socializing and partnering with the right people for leadership roles or to get funding.

By reading this book, you will feel more powerful as an entrepreneur and will be ready to take on challenges that come along with entrepreneurship.

This book doesn’t sound like rhetoric and probably that’s why this book received appreciation from all across the world.

Book Link- Art of the Start 2.0

A reader’s review:

The focus is on tech entrepreneurs. While much of the advice is applicable to other industries, the book will hit the bullseye specifically with those starting technology businesses.

Anita Campbell (via Goodreads)

2. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies

The author of the book is Rhonda Abrams who has written more than 12 books on entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur herself, the knowledge she shares is absolute gold and trustworthy.

She also writes one of the most popular columns in the US known as Small Business Strategies.

Let us now discuss what Rhonda Abrams has taught in her book.

The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies is a complete guide for anyone stuck in writing. It is one of those books that give you a push to start working on your idea.

This book contains various worksheets and charts which makes it consumable as well as practical.

You will get enough examples of various parts of a business plan , giving you an in-depth idea of what it looks like and how it is written.

This book not only teaches you to write a business plan that reminds you about your vision but also this plan can help you get investors on board.

It also equips you with strategies to get funds at the best possible rates and also to minimize the costs involved in running a business.

It gives you an in-depth understanding of positioning your brand in the market to gain the attention of your target audience and thus derive maximum profit.

Moreover, you can also use it for competitions related to showcasing plans for their businesses. The book is used by many entrepreneurs and is recommended to every small business.

Book Link- The Successful Business Plan

There’s enough information here to help you get almost any business started. This is a proven source, for it’s been through several re-prints since 1991.

Jeffrey Brown (via Goodreads)

3. The Founder’s Dilemma

Goodreads rating: 4.01/5

The book, The Founder’s dilemma, is one of the best business plan books by Noam Wasserman. Apart from this, he has written another bestseller known as Life is a startup.

Noam Wasserman served as a professor at Harvard Business school for 13 years and is currently working at the University of Southern California as a founding Director at the Founder Central Initiative.

The book he wrote is an absolute beauty. Not because he has told some hidden secrets but because he has addressed a problem that many entrepreneurs often ignore.

And that problem is the company’s leadership. You might have a billion-dollar business idea and even have cracked the tech for it, but you might still fail because of listening to the wrong advice.

If you want your business to not suffer due to wrong decisions made by top leadership, you must read this book.

This book will help you in deciding whom you want to work with, and how to share the equity among co-founders and employees without being emotional.

However, this book might not be useful for small businesses but is a gem for someone planning to launch a high-growth business.

Book Link – The Founder’s Dilemma

I’ve never seen a book before that was particularly helpful – to a founder – about the wide range of issues a founder will face.

Brad Feld (via Goodreads)

4. The One-Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur

Goodreads rating: 3.86/5

The author of this mind-blowing book is none other than Jim Horan.

Known for his expertise in solving complex business problems , Jim has helped many entrepreneurs in turning their businesses into profit-making machines.

Jim Horan has also been a Fortune 500 executive and has written six books in the One Page Business Plan for Creative Entrepreneur series.

This book is quite different from other books as it is written for entrepreneurs who do not understand a lot about business figures but want to get started soon.

There’s a saying that if you cannot write your business plan on a single page, you are probably doing it wrong.

The book enables you to write it in a couple of hours which includes your mission, objectives, and plans.

It will be crisp and easy to understand for your investors as well as the team. In this fast-moving world, it becomes really uncomfortable to give a week preparing a business plan.

You have the idea and with the help of this book, you can turn the idea into a business in no time.

Having said that, this book is not recommended to someone who is building a high-growth company or a business with many manufacturing units.

This book is specially designed for small businesses to increase their profits and improve their vision.

Book Link – The One-Page Business Plan

One of my favorites! I have used these templates many times. It really forces you to be concise and focus on your vision. Highly recommend!

Teri Temme (via Goodreads)

5. The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan

Goodreads rating: 3.70/5

The author of this book Hal Shelton is an extremely experienced executive who has worked with many corporations, non-profits, and investment companies.

Hal Shelton completed his BS from Carnegie Mellon University and then pursued an MBA from the University of Chicago.

The secrets to writing a successful Business Plan focus on each section of the plan to help you create one that stands out in front of the investors.

The book also informs you about the common errors entrepreneurs make while writing. These errors sometimes cost very high as they might create confusion for investors as well as for the team.

You will also learn to do the market analysis and write the same in your plan. You will be able to answer questions like how big is the market and whether it is sufficient to run a successful business or not.

Investors receive a lot of business plans and going through each one of them is not feasible. Therefore writing an executive summary becomes extremely important.

The executive summary is an easy way to grab investors’ attention and help them understand your business without going through lengthy documents.

If you are launching a non-profit organization, this book can help you in many ways as a section of the book is dedicated to non-profits.

Moreover, the book also consists of secret strategies for writing a business plan and getting bank loans or funding from investors.

Book Link – The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan

This book provides a very solid foundation to write your plan. The author also provides excellent examples and instructions as to what to and not to do in writing your business plan

Kirk G. Meyer (via Goodreads)

6. Anatomy of a Business Plan

The author of this book, Linda Pinson, has worked very closely with the U.S. small business administration to write the government business plan publication.

She has also been honored as Education Advocate of the year and SBA regional women in Business advocate of the year.

Apart from this book, she has written many books on entrepreneurship such as Keeping the books and steps to start a small business startup.

This is one of the best business books for people who do not know anything about business plans.

This book provides you with an in-depth understanding of different business plans and will enable you to choose your ideal kind.

After reading the book, you will learn to update your plan according to the needs of your business and the position of your brand in the market.

The author also highlights the importance of mentioning the table of contents and executive summary in navigating smoothly through the book.

Apart from this, it also throws light on how you can efficiently market your business. You will also learn how to mention the financials of your company which is an important thing to do.

The Anatomy of a Business Plan also contains five real-life business plans which give you an understanding of how successful businesses can be explained in a few pages.

You also get a few worksheets which makes the overall experience of reading the book delightful.

Book Link – Anatomy of a Business Plan

This book is like “a mentor for your business plan”. Really informative and helpful.

Marvin Musfiq (via Goodreads)

7. The Complete Book of Business Plans

Goodreads rating: 3.47/5

The authors of this book are Brian Hazelgran and Joseph A. Covello. Both of them have a great understanding of how businesses operate in this book. They have told us that one size doesn’t fit all.

That means business plans for different businesses cannot be written in the same way.

This book contains 12+ plans that give you an idea of how you write one for yourself.

This book also focuses on how you should bring people into your business and what vision you should have to run the business for decades.

Moreover, when you read the book you will have to ask a lot of questions to yourself. The book will compel you to ask questions yourself that are immensely important before writing it.

Once you give satisfactory answers to the questions asked, you will feel more motivated to start a business , and writing a business will look like a cakewalk.

The above quote shows how important it is to plan your business and create a visionary plan for your business.

Book Link – The Complete Book of Business Plans

Great book encompassing everything about writing business plans.

Denny Troncoso (via Goodreads)

Bottom Line

All the Business plan books that we discussed above are going to help you in some way or the other.

But don’t worry you don’t need to read all of them. Just figure out where you stand and where you would want to go and select a book accordingly.

Innovative tools present in the industry like Upmetrics have helped many entrepreneurs in business and financial planning. If you need more help writing a perfect business plan, check out Upmetrics NOW and grow 2X faster.

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

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• A Guide to Write an Effective Business Plan Executive Summary
• Formulating a Detailed Business Plan Outline
• Get Your Business Plan Written by Expert Writers
• How Many Pages Should a Good business Plan Be
• Understand the Operations Plan Section in a Business Plan
• How to Design a Compelling Business Plan Cover Page
• Guidelines for Formulating a Business Plan Table of Contents
• Importance of a Confidentiality Statement in a Business Plan

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Here are our top 40 bestselling books that are sure to spark your interest, strengthen your management skills, and help you get the results you need in business and beyond. These books offer the best ideas in business and have strongly resonated with our readers. Each offers valuable insights to help you succeed in your career.

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Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant

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Leading Change

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Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World

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Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works

Playing to Win, a noted Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestseller. This is A.G. Lafley's guidebook. Shouldn't it be yours as well? It outlines the strategic approach Lafley, in close partnership with strategic adviser Roger Martin, used to double P&G's sales, quadruple its profits, and increase its market value by more than $100 billion when Lafley was first CEO (he led the company from 2000 to 2009).

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy (Paperback + Ebook)

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The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success

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Dealing with Difficult People

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Managing Oneself

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The Mind of a Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results

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Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence

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Financial Intelligence: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

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The Founders Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth

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StandOut 2.0: Assess Your Strengths, Find Your Edge, Win at Work

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Mindfulness

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The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World

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Influence and Persuasion

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Talent Wins: The New Playbook for Putting People First

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How Finance Works: The HBR Guide to Thinking Smart about the Numbers

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Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence

This is the book that established"emotional intelligence" in the business lexicon--and made it a necessary skill for leaders. Managers and professionals across the globe have embraced Primal Leadership, affirming the importance of emotionally intelligent leadership. The book and its ideas are now used routinely in universities, business and medical schools, professional training programs, and by a growing legion of professional coaches.

Competing in the Age of AI

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Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take

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Getting Along: How to Deal with Anyone (Even Difficult People)

Work relationships can be hard. The stress of dealing with difficult people dampens our creativity and productivity and can cause us to disengage. In Getting Along, workplace expert Amy Gallo identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers—the insecure boss, the passive-aggressive peer, the know-it-all, and others—and provides strategies for dealing constructively with each one.

Love and Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life

In his new book, world-renowned researcher and New York Times bestselling author Marcus Buckingham helps us discover where we're at our best — both at work and in life. In understanding our unique strengths and loves, we can choose the right role on a team, mold our existing roles so it calls on our very best, and as leaders, make lasting change for our teams and organizations.

Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You

Bestselling authors Frances Frei and Anne Morriss argue that the most important thing you can do to be a great leader is to build others up. Showing how the boldest, most effective leaders use a special combination of trust, love, and inclusion to create a space in which other people can excel, Frei and Morriss provide practical tools — along with interviews and stories from their own personal experience — to make these ideas come alive.

Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change

It's exciting to think of leadership as all inspiration, decisive action, and rich rewards, but leading requires taking risks that can jeopardize your career. In this classic, renowned leadership experts Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky show how it's possible to make a difference in your organization without getting “taken out” or pushed aside. Through vivid stories from all walks of life, the authors present straightforward strategies for navigating the perilous straits of leadership.

HBR's 10 Must Reads for New Managers (Paperback + Ebook)

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Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them

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Best Books for Starting a Business 

If you’ve recently started a business, or you’re thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, you may feel overwhelmed by your long checklist. You need an HR structure, a marketing plan, a plan for employee morale, and, of course, a strategy to win despite your competitors.

Whether you’re a serial entrepreneur or a fresh business owner, there is much to learn from subject matter experts. Consider reading these books for starting a business and invigorating it.

1. From GED To Harvard Then Inc. 500

In this read, Jane Wolfe & Scott Wolfe detail their journey from earning their GEDs and building the fastest growing business in New Orleans. At the young age of 17 and 19, Jane and Scott began their business dreams and bought a run-down market.

Throughout the years, and the destruction from hurricane Katrina, the Wolf’s reemerged to support their community and build Melba’s PoBoys. The Wolfe’s have founded multiple companies in their careers, generating millions of dollars in revenue.

Why Read It: If you’re looking to learn about persevering through difficulty and creating unlikely opportunities in business, is From GED To Harvard Then Inc. 500 is for you.

2. The Authority Advantage

In The Authority Advantage , you’ll discover how you can use your personal branding to gain authority-status and earn more followers. Adam Witty and Rusty Shelton have decades of experience working with entrepreneurs to grow their brand and business by sharing their business and media insights.

In this read, you’ll learn how to create a following, engage with your audience base, and grow your business and name recognition. With practical steps on leveraging owned, earned, and rented media, you will emerge empowered with next steps to help you and your business shine in a competitive marketplace.

Why Read It: The Authority Advantage will help business leaders expand their following and increase their brand recognition. Read Witty and Shelton’s book to attract influential clients, customers, and followers to your side.

3. The Power of Remote

Cynthia Watson, Executive Chair, and Shane Spraggs, CEO, share their experience in building and managing remote teams at Virtira. Create a successful remote work environment with their comprehensive roadmap.

The Power of Remote can help you lower costs and boost productivity in your business.

Why Read It: This book is ideal for you if you’re considering a “remote-first” business model, or if you’re looking for guidance on transitioning to remote.

4. Beyond the Superhero

Jason Randall reveals how to free yourself from unrealistic expectations and pressure as an executive leader. If you’re spearheading your business, you need a handbook to help you find an alternate path to success — where both you and your business can thrive.

In Beyond the Superhero, you’ll find both a memoir and a roadmap to support your business initiatives and become the leader you want to be.

Why Read It: Whether you have decades or experience, or it’s your first time in leadership, there’s always room to improve as a leader. If you’re looking to relieve the pressure of leadership while gain practical insights, Beyond the Superhero is worth a read.

5. How Teams Triumph

A business is much more than offering a product or service for a profit. Your team, workflow, and employee communication all affect how successful your business will be — and whether you retain your employees. Team dynamics can become stumbling blocks for your company as silos grow and dysfunction creeps in.

Clinton M. Padgett offers a proven framework to ensure your team works together to achieve goals. Padgett creates positive work environments to motivate employees by improving team dynamics.

Why Read It: If you’re looking for advice on how to structure your teams and create a positive company culture that breeds success, you’ll benefit from How Teams Triumph .

6. Competing With Giants

As a small startup, you may wonder if you can ever compete with industry giants. Phuong Tran shares the story of her family-owned business that her parents built up to become the forefront beverage company in Vietnam. Phuong Tran shares how a family-owned business built itself into a coveted industry giant. After walking away from a $2.5 billion offer from Coca – Cola, Phuong Tran wrote Competing With Giants to help others follow suit.

Why Read It: Find the insight and encouragement you need in this underdog story of success. If you want a pick-me-up with practical application, give Competing With Giants a read.

Lissie Kidd

Sr. marketing copywriter.

Lissie Kidd is a Sr. Copywriter with several hundred articles in her portfolio and even more edited and published under her supervision. Lissie holds a MA in Communications from Grand…

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• The 20 Best Entrepreneurship Books to Start, Grow & Run a Successful Business

Following your passion while making a profit – that is the dream. Every year, millions of people become entrepreneurs in hopes of getting paid to do what they love.

Unfortunately, around half of all newly minted business owners fail within the first five years . What’s more, at least one in four must fail before eventually succeeding, which takes at least three years on average . How can you make sure you make it the first time around?

Starting a business  requires taking risk, staying grounded, and facing many challenges. It can be our biggest struggle, but seeing our products make the world a better place can also be our greatest reward.

At Four Minute Books, we’ve summarized over 1,000 books , hundreds of them about entrepreneurship. Along the way, we’ve learned a few lessons, and we’ve discovered which ones are most worth spending your precious time on.

Want a list of just the 5 very best entrepreneurship books ever to not waste time and learn only from the greatest? Download our free PDF, print it, and start your entrepreneurial journey right away. Or save it for later and read it whenever you want!

Being an entrepreneur is not the easiest job in the world, but if you want to learn the secrets of being a great founder or successful self-employed freelancer, this list of the 20 best entrepreneurship books is a good start.

Each book in this list contains our favorite quote, three takeaways, and a one-sentence summary. Scroll down a bit more, and you’ll find our main argument for why and when you might want to read the book. Use the handy table of contents below to jump to any section or book that seems particularly interesting to you.

Let’s hop right into the secrets of entrepreneurship!

Table of Contents

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

2. zero to one by peter thiel, 3. the hard thing about hard things by ben horowitz, 4. the $100 startup by chris guillebeau, 5. the e-myth revisited by michael e. gerber, 6. crush it by gary vaynerchuk, 7. the art of the start by guy kawasaki, 8. the power of broke by daymond john, 9. rework by jason fried, 10. crushing it by gary vaynerchuk, 11. business model generation by alexander osterwalder, yves pigneur, 12. the four steps to the epiphany by steve blank, 13. built to sell by john warrillow, 14. business adventures by john brooks, 15. entreleadership by dave ramsey, 16. winners take all by anand giridharadas, 17. founders at work by jessica livingston, 18. think and grow rich by napoleon hill, 19. arise, awake by rashmi bansal, 20. losing my virginity by richard branson, other book lists by topic, other book lists by author, best books on entrepreneurship overall, favorite quote.

“The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else.” — Eric Ries

The Book in One Sentence

The Lean Startup offers both entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs a semi-scientific, real-world approach to building a business by using validation, finding a profitable business model and creating a growth engine.

Why should you read it?

Are all start-ups prone to failure? Or are all the failures caused by some mistakes which can be easily prevented? According to Eric Ries, a startup deals with a wave of uncertainty, indeed, and business plans might not be the key to make things run smoothly. This book gives a scientific approach to the proper management of a startup, mostly by making use of innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Find a business model that works through validation.
• Use split-testing to tell value from waste.
• Never ever indulge in vanity metrics.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

“Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius.” — Peter Thiel

Zero To One is an inside look at Peter Thiel’s philosophy and strategy for making your startup a success by looking at the lessons he learned from founding and selling PayPal, investing in Facebook and becoming a billionaire in the process.< /em>

You might think that we know everything by now and that there isn’t much to create at this point. That all the greatest inventions have appeared by now. And this is where you might be wrong: entrepreneur Peter Thiel confirms that there are still countless ways for us to create something new. And all this can be done by making use of your power and asking the right questions in order to come up with the next innovation.

• The biggest leaps in progress are vertical, not horizontal.
• Monopolies are good, for both business and society.
• Founders need a vision to take their business from zero to one.

“The only thing that prepares you to run a company is running a company” — Ben Horowitz

The Hard Thing About Hard Things is an inside look at the tough decisions and lonely times all CEOs face, before showing you what it takes to build a great organization and become a world-class leader.

It’s great to have your own business, indeed. Truth be told, though, it is rather hard to have a business and run it properly. Ben Horowitz provides us with key anecdotes in this book, derived from his success – which was not as easy to obtain, as people might think. Getting straight to the point, this book will answer all the questions you might have, no matter if you already have a business of your own or if you are thinking about starting one.

• The CEO should be the first one to shout when shit hits the fan.
• There are 2 types of CEOs.
• Great CEOs must learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” — Chris Guillebeau

The $100 Startup shows you how to break free from the shackles of 9 to 5 by combining your passion and skills into your own microbusiness, which you can start for $100 or less, yet still turn into a full time income, thanks to the power of the internet.

It’s important nowadays to live a life full of meaning and purpose, but what is also important is to earn a good living. This book is filled with key principles that will help you figure out exactly what it is that you have to do to live your life the way you want. And the best part about it is that it doesn’t get lost in generalities which might not give you the insight you need.

• Passion is only 1/3 of the equation, you also need skills and customers.
• If you want your passion to be more than a hobby, focus on income and costs.
• Keep your plans simple, because action beats them every time.

“If your business depends on you, you don’t own a business – you have a job. And it’s the worst job in the world because you’re working for a lunatic!” — Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited explains why 80% of small businesses fail, and how to ensure yours isn’t among those by building a company that’s based on systems and not on the work of a single individual.

Do you want to know how to grow your business productively? Michael Gerber has the answer for you in this book and walks you through all the steps you need to take in a business. And it is all sharp insight from his own experience, which will help you deconstruct all the myths regarding the way one should work when it comes to business.

• Having great technical skills does not mean you know how to run a business.
• Imagine your business as a nationwide franchise from day one, then build the first store.
• The franchise approach makes sure you build a business based on systems, not people.

Best Books on Entrepreneurship for Beginners

“There no longer has to be a difference between who you are and what you do.” ― Gary Vaynerchuk

Crush It is the blueprint you need to turn your passion into your profession and will give you the tools to turn yourself into a brand, leverage social media, produce great content and reap the financial benefits of it.

What would you do if you could transform your dream or hobby into something that could earn you money? This book gives you valuable insight into how you can turn your interests into a successful business, just by making use of the power of the Internet. And all of this by taking it step by step, in a world where both the Internet and the technological aspects are a very important part of our lives.

• In order to profit from your passion, you have to turn yourself into a brand.
• Pick a medium that fits you to tell stories people want to hear.
• Always be authentic in your content.

“Positioning should be about what you do for your customers – not about what you want to become.” — Guy Kawasaki

The Art Of The Start is your guide to beginning a company and explains everything from getting the right people on board to writing a winning business plan and building your brand.

Sometimes, it just takes an idea to put together something new – and that requires having enough will to keep going, against all odds. If you feel like your idea might be hard to be transformed into action, this book will provide you with all the advice you need to keep going, all of it coming from nearly two decades of the author’s experience.

• Your first goal as an entrepreneur must be to create meaning, not make money.
• Prepare your Milestones, Assumptions, and Tasks to have direction and purpose right from the start.
• Set yourself up for success by creating a business plan.

Best Books on Entrepreneurship With Minimal Resources

“Being broke is temporary but poverty of mind is permanent.” — Daymond John

The Power Of Broke shows you how to leverage having no money into an advantage in business by compensating it with creativity, passion and authenticity.

If desperate minds mean desperate measures, then innovation should also be added – because this is exactly what Daymond John did. What started as being a simple idea, ended up becoming a global phenomenon, and all of this while he was broke. This book tells you that sometimes, you just need to have a little bit of hope and to do your best to achieve success – who knows when the perfect opportunity might come knocking.

• If you have no money, you’ll automatically find resources others don’t look for.
• The power of broke helps in all four stages of growing a business.
• Starting a business gets easier by the day, so start now.

“When you don’t know what you believe, everything becomes an argument. Everything is debatable. But when you stand for something, decisions are obvious.” — Jason Fried

Rework shows you that you need less than you think to start a business – way less – by explaining why plans are actually harmful, how productivity isn’t a result from working long hours and why hiring and seeking investors should be your absolute last resort.

Do you feel like all the old advice business books give you is not really what you need to kickstart your own business? What if there was an easier and better way to succeed in business, that didn’t involve writing down endless business plans, for example? This book makes use of an easy way to understand the approach and shows you the way towards not only productivity but also inspiration. Are you up for the challenge?

• Take a stand for something you believe in and then pick a fight with an incumbent.
• Screw big corporate marketing, stay honest, personal and nimble.
• Don’t let long hours and meetings prevail, they actually hurt productivity.

“If you’re not 100 percent happy with your life today, it is never a waste of time to try something that could get you there.” — Gary Vaynerchuk

Crushing It is Gary Vaynerchuk’s follow-up to his personal branding manifesto Crush It, in which he reiterates the importance of a personal brand and shows you the endless possibilities that come with building one today.

Your brand is important nowadays, and you have to make use of that to be successful. And you can do that by making use of social media – Gary introduces us to those secrets in this practical guide, where he put together several experiences of people who have followed their dream and got exactly where they wanted to be.

• You don’t need a product to monetize a personal brand.
• A solid social media presence is built on seven principles.
• Don’t overthink creating content, just document your journey.

Best Books on Entrepreneurship Strategy

“Companies should focus on one of three value disciplines: operational excellence, product leadership, or customer intimacy.” — by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur

Business Model Generation teaches you how to start your own company by explaining the details of matching your customer’s needs with your product’s capabilities, managing finances, and everything else involved in the planning stages of entrepreneurship.

How would you describe your thinking when it comes to how businesses should be handled? Are you more oriented towards the “traditional” way or are you seeking modern solutions? This book makes use of practical examples that will help anyone in terms of improving their business models, regardless of their approach.

• Market channels, value propositions, and customer groups are the basis for a good business model.
• You need to know your customer’s relationship with you, how money is coming in, and what physical things that you need to run your company.
• Plan for what you’ll do from day to day, who you’re going to work with, and what your cost structure will be.

“All new companies and new products begin with an almost mythological vision – a hope of what could be, with a goal few others can see.” — Steve Blank

The Four Steps To The Epiphany shows startups how to plan for and achieve success by giving examples of companies that failed and outlining the path they need to take to flourish.

Do you want a book that gives you simple, yet concrete examples in regards to how businesses work? Not all startups become successful immediately – and this book proves it. This simple, step-by-step guide could become essential to you, as it gives you useful insight into how you should organize all parts of your business for your startup to succeed, rather than fail.

• Don’t fall into the trap of treating your startup like you would a big business.
• Find your market type first, then base your strategy around it.
• Early adopters are more important to consider when designing your product than the mainstream market.

“Don’t be afraid to say no to projects. Prove that you’re serious about specialization by turning down work that falls outside your area of expertise. The more people you say no to, the more referrals you’ll get to people who need your product or service.” — John Warrillow

Built To Sell shows you how to become a successful entrepreneur by explaining the steps necessary to grow a small service company and one day sell it.

Is there any mistake entrepreneurs make when they start their business? According to John Warrillow, there is one mistake that might cost them more than they could ever imagine, and he presents this mistake under the form of a fictional small business, which has to be sold. Are you curious to see what happens to the business? You should probably find the nearest library and check it out!

• You will be more successful in business if you specialize in one service.
• If you’d like to one day sell your company, you as a founder need to work to make sure that you’re replaceable.
• Don’t rely on one big client, it’s risky and makes your business less attractive to those that may buy it.

“I don’t think money makes much difference, as long as you have enough.” — John Brooks

Business Adventures will teach you how to run a company, invest in the stock market, change jobs, and many other things by sharing some of the most interesting experiences that big companies and their leaders have had over the last century.

How do you run a company? If all businesses are different, why are some things so similar? Making use of stories about Wall Street, John Brooks has put together a reportage that looks at the history of some of the biggest disasters that have taken place on the American market. Is history bound to repeat itself, if people don’t learn from their mistakes?

• The three-day stock market crash and recovery of 1962 showed the world how irrational and unpredictable it is.
• If you want to know how not to launch a product, look to the example of the Ford Edsel.
• Having trade secrets doesn’t make it impossible for you to get a new job thanks to Donald Wohlgemuth.

Best Books on Entrepreneurship Culture

“If you as a leader allow people to halfway do their jobs and don’t demand excellence as a prerequisite to keeping their job, you will create a culture of mediocrity.” — Dave Ramsey

EntreLeadership provides you with a path to becoming a great leader in your company by identifying the necessary management and entrepreneurial skills.

We have all heard of a successful business that started in a garage or in a rather normal place. This informative guide gives you access to exactly that kind of story: from just a card table to a multimillion-dollar company. The advice in this book will get you even through the toughest of times, for both businesses and their leaders.

• The most successful heads of new companies combine the skills of an entrepreneur and a leader.
• To create a lucrative business, work on your marketing strategy.
• You get hardworking and loyal employees when you give generous salaries and bonuses.

“There is no denying that today’s elite may be among the more socially concerned elites in the history. But it is also, by the cold logic of numbers, among the more predatory in history.” — Anand Giridharadas

Winners Take All helps you see the ultra-rich in a more accurate light by identifying their shady strategies, including using the idea of “making the world a better place” as a front that only serves as a way to solidify their wealth and power.

What does social justice have to do with entrepreneurs? Anand Giridharadas surprises us with this challenging book, by putting into perspective how improvements are not accessible to everyone. Small businesses end up fighting against monopolies and have to deal with a system where it might just be easier to deny certain benefits. So, how do we make the world a better place, for businesses and people?

• The elite control social progress, which we think is happening for our benefit but really only benefits them.
• Inequality is rampant because the “win-win” attitude of the ultra-rich is actually a lie to cover up their plans to only look out for themselves.
• Powerful people often deny their influence, which ironically just cements their status even further.

“I’d say determination is the single most important quality in a startup founder. If the founders I spoke with were superhuman in any way, it was in their perseverance.” — Jessica Livingston

Founders At Work shows you how to start a successful business based on the principles of the founders of some of the world’s most famous and accomplished startups.

If you are looking for a book that is not necessarily a guide, then this book might just be what you are looking for. Containing a collection of interviews with people who are currently living their dream, this book answers all the questions one might have: how it all started and how it is all going. Are you curious to see what makes a startup successful?

• Starting with an idea is good, but having a talented team is best.
• Too much investor money can actually hurt a startup initiative.
• Creating something of real value to others requires listening to your customers.

Best Books on Entrepreneurship Motivation

“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.” — Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich is a curation of the 13 most common habits of wealthy and successful people, distilled from studying over 500 individuals over the course of 20 years.

A worldwide bestseller, this book is not just about ways in which you can become rich, as the title would suggest. It is about learning that each day is a new opportunity and both success and abundance come from how you think. If you want to learn about the ropes of success, this might just be the book for you.

• Use autosuggestion to build an unshakable belief in yourself.
• Be stubborn and always stick to your decisions.
• Join a Mastermind group to cut the learning curve.

“In any line of business, there is a steep learning curve. Like a pilgrim, you must climb that mountain with faith and fortitude – there is no ‘helicopter’ service.” — Rashmi Bansal

Arise, Awake will inspire you to move forward with your entrepreneurial dreams by sharing the inspirational stories of six Indian entrepreneurs and the lessons they learned on the path to success.

What would you say is the perfect age to start your own business? Should you be older, or younger? If you are still not convinced about your answer, then this book might give you a little bit of clarity, by presenting you with the stories of six entrepreneurs who have gone against the odds and started something of their own.

• Pay attention to serendipitous experiences, they are great sources for your entrepreneurial desires to flourish.
• If your first business idea fails, don’t give up, your experience is vital to making your next venture succeed.
• Determination combined with thinking outside of the box will help you start your business even when it seems impossible to do.

“Most “necessary evils” are far more evil than necessary.” — Richard Branson

Losing My Virginity details Richard Branson’s meteoric rise to success and digs into what made him the adventurous, fun-loving, daring entrepreneur he is today and what lessons you can learn about business from him.

If you are interested in an autobiography, then Richard Branson has written the perfect book for you. A very unusual approach to business has brought Richard a success that many might have doubted: whenever someone said “don’t do it”, he would do it. Filled with major lessons, this book will keep you going, even when things seem impossible to deal with.

• Don’t feel bad if you haven’t been born and bred as an entrepreneur.
• Always look out for the next thing, but take it one adventure at a time.
• The number one skill you should practice is creativity.

We believe that these 20 titles are the best books about entrepreneurship. Start by reading the one most relevant to you, then go from there. 

Most of us dream about living a life in which we make our own rules. But are we ready to take responsibility for the things that will go wrong along the way? When you’re an entrepreneur, the buck stops with you. Ultimately, you’re the one in charge. You’ll need commitment and perseverance to make things happen, but even if the road will be rocky in the beginning, that doesn’t mean you should give up.

Do you have what it takes? Whatever you feel might be missing, discover it in one of the books on our list. Learn how to be an entrepreneur, and make your dreams come true!

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

• The 60 Best Business Books of All Time (Will Forever Change How You Think About Organizations)
• The 14 Best Finance Books of All Time
• The 21 Best Habit Books of All Time to Change Any Behavior
• The 33 Best Happiness Books of All Time That Everyone Should Read
• The 60 Best History Books of All Time (to Read at Any Age)
• The 7 Best Inspirational Books That Will Light Your Inner Fire
• The 40 Best Leadership Books of All Time to Help You Become a Truly Inspiring Person
• The 31 Best Motivational Books Ever Written
• The 12 Best Nonfiction Books Most People Have Never Heard Of
• The 35 Best Philosophy Books to Live Better and Become a Great Thinker
• The 34 Best Psychology Books That Will Make You Smarter and Happier
• The 25 Best Sales Books of All Time to Help You Close Any Deal
• The 33 Best Self-Help Books of All Time to Read at Any Age
• The 22 Best Books About Sex & Sexuality to Improve Your Love Life & Relationships
• The 30 Most Life-Changing Books That Will Shift Your Perspective & Stay With You Forever

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

• All Brené Brown Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• Jordan Peterson Books: All Titles in Order of Publication + The 5 Top Books He Recommends
• All Malcolm Gladwell Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Michael Pollan Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• Peter Thiel Books: A Comprehensive List of Books By, About & Recommended by Peter Thiel
• All Rachel Hollis Books: The Full List of Non-Fiction, Fiction & Cookbooks, Sorted by Popularity & the Best Reading Order
• All Ray Dalio Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Robert Greene Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Ryan Holiday Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Simon Sinek Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Tim Ferriss Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
• All Walter Isaacson Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)

Last Updated on September 3, 2023

*Four Minute Books participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon. We also participate in other affiliate programs, such as Blinkist, MindValley, Audible, Audiobooks, Reading.FM, and others. Our referral links allow us to earn commissions (at no extra cost to you) and keep the site running. Thank you for your support.

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19 Best Business Plan Books of All Time

Our goal : Find the best Business Plan books according to the internet (not just one random person's opinion).

• Type "best business plan books" into our search engine and study the top 5+ pages.
• Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
• Rank the results neatly for you here! 😊 (It was a lot of work. But hey! That's why we're here, right?)

(Updated 2024)

As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page.

Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

• Best Business Plan Books

The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur

The fastest, easiest way to write a business plan.

The Art of the Start 2.0

The time-tested, battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything.

Guy Kawasaki

Successful Business Plan

Secrets & strategies.

Rhonda Abrams

The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan

A pro shares a step-by-step guide to creating a plan that gets results.

Hal Shelton

The Lean Startup

How today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses.

The Founder's Dilemmas

Anticipating and avoiding the pitfalls that can sink a startup.

Noam Wasserman

How to Write a Business Plan

Mike P. McKeever

The Complete Book of Business Plans

Simple steps to writing powerful business plans.

Joseph A Covello

The 1-Page Marketing Plan

Get new customers, make more money, and stand out from the crowd.

Business Model Generation

A handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers.

Alexander Osterwalder

Starting a Business QuickStart Guide

The simplified beginner’s guide to launching a successful small business, turning your vision into reality, and achieving your entrepreneurial dream.

Ken Colwell

Mind Your Business

A workbook to grow your creative passion into a full-time gig.

Ilana Griffo

Writing Winning Business Plans

How to prepare a business plan that investors will want to read and invest in.

Garrett Sutton

Burn the Business Plan

What great entrepreneurs really do.

Carl J. Schramm

Anatomy of a Business Plan

The step-by-step guide to building a business and securing your company's future.

Linda Pinson

The Book on Business Planning

Writing a Convincing Business Plan

Arthur R. DeThomas Ph.D.

Hit the Deck

Create a business plan in half the time, with twice the impact.

David Ronick

Creating a Business Plan For Dummies

Veechi Curtis

• 12 Books You Should Read Before Starting a Business www.businessinsider.com
• Business Plan Books www.mymoneybooks.com
• The 9 Best Business Plan Books www.thebalancesmb.com
• 20 Best Books on The Business Plan - Bigger Investing www.biggerinvesting.com
• 20 Best Books on How to Write a Business Plan in 2023 www.profitableventure.com

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Home » Business Plan Tips

20 Best Books on How to Write a Business Plan

Are you wondering which book is best to learn how to write a business plan ? If YES, here are 20 best books on how to write a business plan in 2023.  Starting and running a new business to success can be quite daunting. According to reports, a little more than 1 in 5 businesses tend to crash just within their first year, this is why having a detailed business plan is vital to the success of any business.

Putting together a good business plan from scratch is a challenging undertaking that needs extensive market research, statistical analysis, financial calculations, and much more. You need to understand how to make your business case, describe why there is a demand for your product or service, explain in detail how you intend to build your team, and also explain how you are going to finance your business and remain competitive.

Business plans are quite similar to a GPS; it is possible to travel without a GPS, but it may take you longer and the possibility of getting lost is always present. So instead of having to stop and ask for directions, you can use your business plan as a map to help guide your business.

Nonetheless, here are the best business plan books to take your business dreams from idea to reality.

The One Page Business Plan

According to reports, various corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs around the world leverage The One Page Business Plan process to quickly and easily establish highly focused and simple business plans. Instead of beginning with a blank piece of paper, the book and planning tool kit include business plan templates, as well as sample business plans to help get you started.

Have it in mind that the easy-to-fill-in-the-blanks business plan outline makes the process fast and easy. The book is divided into 5 unique sections… Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Plans providing a useful and complete business plan format that will show you step-by-step how to write a business plan.

Tim Berry is a globally known expert on business planning, and this book is his latest one that will help you get your business up and running. “Hurdle” extensively explains each and every step of a solid business plan in a way that anyone can understand. Also, note that you will see many examples of how to calculate profit and keep track of your cash flow.

Complete with a 53-page workbook, have it in mind you will be constructing your business plan as you read the book rather than trying to understand the fundamentals of business planning and applying them later. After you must have written a workable business plan, you will find yourself turning back to this book for advice on the everyday management and implementation of your business as well.

The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan

If you want a step-by-step guide, then opt for this book. Hal Shelton will expertly take you on a journey of putting together a well arranged plan. Understand what your personal style is, where to go for help and the simple errors people make when putting together a plan.

Note that putting together a marketing plan and establishing a strong management team are also topics covered in this short and simple guide. Hal’s secrets to success will ensure you spend less time putting together a business plan, freeing up time for you to focus on other aspects of your business. In addition, you will learn how to acquire a bank loan and get proven strategies for attracting investors.

The Successful Business Plan

Note that this is a well detailed step-by-step guide for anyone eager to start or grow a business, and has been used over the years by close to two million entrepreneurs. It comes with expert help, worksheets to jumpstart the process, a sample business plan, tips on attracting funders, winning tips for competitions, secrets to successful crowdfunding, building a global business, and much more.

Well recognized in over 1000 business schools globally and appreciated by entrepreneurs; this guide touches every aspect of a successful business plan, from business strategy, winning over investors or lenders, and much more.

Hit The Deck

Have it in mind that this book shows entrepreneurs the perfect way to create business plans, leveraging best practices used at top business schools, and with leading angel and venture capital investors. Also note that the book provides step-by-step instructions on how to think through new business ideas and prepare concise, compelling business plan presentations .

Owning to its comprehensive content, founders can plan faster, pitch more effectively, and modify their plans more easily as they get feedback from advisors and investors. Hit the Deck includes interviews with sophisticated investors, like Ted Schlein at Kleiner Perkins, and with successful entrepreneurs, like Tommy Hilfiger.

Writing a Convincing Business Plan

First and foremost, this book was written by the company that has aided generations of students to prepare for standardized tests. Note that it approaches the challenge of putting together a business plan in the same straightforward, system-minded way.

Have it in mind that this book is no-nonsense: you will have to analyze your business structure, your goals, and your forecasts, and no amount of mantras will help you do so like good old-fashioned hard work. According to reviews, this is a thought-provoking book that ensures you take a closer look at different aspects of your business with plenty of questions to ask yourself. It also guides you in finding supporting data that justifies and promotes your business.

How to Write a Business Plan

Regardless of what your intentions are, be it starting or selling your own business, business plans are a vital and pertinent part of the business cycle. How to Write a Business Plan offers you the expert guidance you require to make an impact with your plan, including advice on researching competitors, presenting your management skills, and successfully communicating your strategic vision.

Be it is to source funds, sell a business or develop a particular project, this is your one-stop guide to putting together the most professional and convincing business plan for a new venture. How to Write a Business Plan offers priceless help with sales, cash, and profit forecasts and is supported by the inclusion of full-length plans available to download online. This new edition has been enhanced to cover digital developments like crowdfunding, online retailing, and digital marketing.

The Founder’s Dilemmas

While putting together your business plan, you will also have to bother about who will run your organization coupled with all of the other information contained inside. While the “who” of your organization can be less exciting than the “what” and “how,” staffing and leadership decisions are definitely not to be ignored.

Notably, when you are considering whether to start a business on your own, with friends or relatives, or with trusted colleagues, it is pertinent to consider extensively the decision — and this book helps you do so by analyzing why these decisions matter so much. Noam Wasserman, leveraging a decade of research, educates you on how to shape the leadership section of your business plan in order to make your company as successful as earthly possible.

Burn the Business Plan

This book dissects the myth of the cool, tech-savvy twenty-something entrepreneur with nothing to lose and venture capital to burn. Notably, a good number of people who start businesses are juggling careers and mortgages. Note that the average entrepreneur is actually thirty-nine years old, and the success rate of entrepreneurs over forty is five times higher than that of those under age thirty.

Also, note that entrepreneurs who come out of the corporate world often have discovered a need for a product or service and have priceless contacts to help them get started. Well stocked with stories of successful entrepreneurs who drew on real-life experience rather than academic coursework, Burn the Business Plan is the guide to starting and running a business that will actually work for any willing soul.

The Art of the Start 2.0

With this wonderful book, you can learn about perfecting your pitch, get real-world advice on bootstrapping, and obtain advice on building your team. The author Guy Kawasaki is behind the wildly successful online design service Canva. He wrote this guide extolled as the “essential guide for anyone starting anything,” to help young entrepreneurs separate the fluff from the foundation and build your business plan into one that really works for you.

Coupled with the old standards, this book seems to extensively discuss crowdfunding, social media, and other digital revolutions as well. With the knowledge imbibed in this book, you will be ahead of the competition — and much calmer, too, because you will know how to position your product with stories that create a personal connection with potential customers.

Pulling Together

This book come well recommended for the leader of any team. Pulling Together is the unbelievable list of advice for achieving greatness on a team. From “Respecting Diversity” to “Building Trust,” the rules for teamwork contained in this book will inspire camaraderie and demand excellence.

Also note that what makes this book astonishing is its depth of content coupled with its gift-sized packaging. Every rule for “pulling together” is complemented with photographs, quotations, thought-provoking questions, and smart insight. Notably, it is the perfect size to be given as a gift to each person on the team and could be given as a gift to coaches, athletes, business leaders, or co-workers.

Business Model Generation

Note that this is a handbook for visionaries, game-changers, and challengers eager to defy outmoded business models and create tomorrow’s ventures. If your business needs to adapt to harsh new realities, but you lack the strategy that will get you out in front of your competitors, you need Business Model Generation.

Co-created by 470 “Business Model Canvas” practitioners from 45 countries, the book comes with a wonderful, highly visual, 4-color design that leverages unique strategic ideas and tools and makes them easy to use in your organization. You will learn how to systematically understand, design, and implement a game-changing business model–or analyze and renovate an old one. In addition, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of your customers, distribution channels, partners, revenue streams, costs, and your core value proposition.

Starting a Business Quick Start Guide

In his comprehensive Starting a Business Quick Start Guide, Ken Colwell explicitly noted the core fundamentals that all new entrepreneurs have to understand to get started, find success, and live the life of their dreams. Business and entrepreneurship students, small business owners, managers, and soon-to-be entrepreneurs will indeed find enormous value within the pages of the Starting a Business Quick Start Guide.

Colwell’s clear voice, extensive experience, and easy-to-understand presentation all come together to make this book a must-have resource in the library of every budding entrepreneur!

The Lean Startup

According to reviews, the Lean Startup approach helps to build companies that are both more capital efficient and that use human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it depends on “validated learning,” steady scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that reduce product development cycles, measure actual progress without using vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want.

Also note that it enables a company to shift directions with eagerness, changing plans inch by inch, minute by minute. So, instead of wasting time establishing elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup provides entrepreneurs—in companies of all sizes—an avenue to test their vision continuously, to adapt, and adjust before it is too late.

The Complete Book of Business Plans

Inside this staple of the business world, you’ll find plenty of business plan templates you can leverage to boost your business and attract investors quickly. Also note that you will find advice on ensuring and sustaining motivation, how to make sure you are bringing the best possible partners onto your project, and how to push your business forward for years to come.

Have it in mind that a good part of the book is set up like a workbook and asks highly detailed questions that are expected to be answered before writing can start. These questions will also force the would-be entrepreneur to analyze and address a series of questions that many first-timers would forget or not even know to ask or consider.

The 1-Page Marketing Plan

To establish and run a successful business, you have to stop doing random acts of marketing and start leveraging a well articulated plan for rapid business growth . Ideally, creating a marketing plan has been a daunting and time-consuming process, which is why it rarely gets done.

In The 1-Page Marketing Plan, serial entrepreneur and rebellious marketer Allan Dib explicitly states marketing implementation breakthrough that makes putting together a marketing plan simple and quick. It is more or less a single page, divided up into nine squares. Note that you’ll be able to map out your own sophisticated marketing plan and go from zero to marketing hero.

Mind Your Business

Mind Your Business remains one of the top books that teaches you everything you need to know about how to create a successful business from scratch. Right from building your brand to designing products to identifying your legal and tax needs, note that this well detailed guide will take you through every step of the process and help you create a unique and well noted roadmap for your business.

Mind Your Business is for aspiring entrepreneurs who are savvy, ambitious, creative, and eager to establish a business and life they love. Author Ilana Griffo shares the formula that turned her creative hobby into a six-figure design studio.

Creating a Business Plan for Dummies

Irrespective of what you intend to do, be it starting a new business or trading for a while, Creating a Business Plan For Dummies puts into consideration everything you need to know. In this book, you will find out whether your business idea is likely to work, how to identify your strategic advantage, and what you can do to gain an advantage over the competition.

Also, note that you will discover why a business plan doesn’t have to be a thirty-page document that takes centuries to put together but can be a simple process that you do in stages as you work through your business concept. Also know how to make an elevator pitch, create a start-up budget, and establish realistic sales projections. Also discover how to predict and manage expenses, and assemble a financial forecast that enables you to calculate your break-even.

Writing Winning Business Plans

Clearly written and featuring real-life illustrative stories, Writing Winning Business Plans extensively discusses all the major elements of a successful plan. Topics include focusing on your business vision, analyzing your financials, and knowing your competition. In addition, you will learn how to really use your business plan as a tool and how to attract funding for your new or existing businesses.

Note that as business plan competitions become more intense around the world, Writing Winning Business Plans also explains how to enter and how to win these ever lucrative contests. Furthermore, how to quickly interest a potential investor, also known as the elevator pitch, is well discussed. And, as opportunities arise around the world, how to present your plan in various countries is explained extensively.

Documentation: Anatomy of a Business Plan

According to experts, this book will help you create a well articulated business plan that is sure to lead you towards success. If you require some additional hand-holding to get started, this book is for you: You will understand how best to choose an organizational structure that is ideal for your business, learn how to market that business well using means and strategies that helps your business grow, and learn how to organize your business plan into the traditional sections.

Also, note that the marketing strategies in this book are priceless and you will be happy to see financial documentation reviewed deeply. Howbeit, it is not the most glamorous part of your business, but it is vital to your business success. This book will also walk you through five sample business plans and also provides helpful hints to accompany the worksheets provided for drafting your own project.

More on Business Plan Tips

The 18 Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs (2024)

Looking for the best business books of all time? Here’s my curated list for everything business—from starting a business, strategy, management, and more!

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I did NOT go to business school. However, my entrepreneurial spirit eventually led me to starting my own business. And I had to learn a lot along the way.

And let me tell you…

My entire business education came from online courses and books.

Here are the books that really helped me in my business and that I use practically every day. Starting with…

My 6 All-Time Best Business Books For Entrepreneurs

#1: smartcuts: the breakthrough power of lateral thinking by shane snow.

Goodreads score: 3.92

I absolutely LOVE this book (plus, I got a chance to meet and become friends with Shane Snow! He is a gem of a human being). What I love about it is that it’s smartcuts … not shortcuts.

As an entrepreneur, you often wear many hats. You’re doing:

• content creation

Oh my! Thank goodness we have a team now, but in the very beginning, I was doing everything.

Smartcuts helped me think more strategically about my time. It allowed me to think about what kinds of smartcuts I can take that other business owners have used, too. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.

Want more Shane? Head over to my article with Shane Snow here .

Key Takeaways:

• It’s critical to find a mentor to guide you—business research shows that 70% of entrepreneurs who have a mentor raise more capital than those who don’t.
• Feedback is useful, especially negative feedback. Negative feedback points out weaknesses and helps you improve… as long as you don’t take it personally.
• Success may come fast and unexpectedly. It’s your job to capitalize on it and keep the momentum going.

#2: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Goodreads score: 4.20

Influence is one of the best psychology books ever written, period. First published in 1984, it has since sold 3 million+ copies and has been translated into 30 languages. The book contains various psychological strategies that great persuaders use, and Robert even takes up jobs as a car salesman and waiter to demonstrate these strategies in person.

If you’re an entrepreneur, salesperson, marketer, or want to influence people in any way, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

• People feel obligated to reciprocate “favors.” A good strategy is to give something before asking for something in return.
• In negotiations, ask a very high amount, then retreat back to what you really want.
• When something is hard to get, we want it even more.
• We value something more if it is harder to achieve.

#3: Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders by Srinivasan S. Pillay

Goodreads score: 3.56

Srinivasan is an incredible neuroscientist and filled Your Brain and Business with SO much research it blew my mind. I highlighted almost every single line of the book. It is chock-full of science and so incredibly helpful.

And the best part of this book?

None of it is guesswork. No phoney baloney, no hearsay. All of it is based on hard, scientific facts. If you want to know what’s happening in our brains and how to use your brain to become a better leader, this book is for you.

• Positive thinking is critical to your success. What you think becomes your reality, so it’s important to think happy things about yourself and avoid negativity.
• Your “thinking brain” has the capacity to store tons of information. It quietly works in the background as you go about your everyday life, so it’s important to stock it with knowledge so you can reap the passive benefits.
• Split up change into smaller pieces to avoid overburdening your brain with big change. Clearly set smaller goals before diving deep. 

#4: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Goodreads score: 4.09

If I had to summarize Hooked in one word, I’d say it’s like the modern-day version of Influence . Hooked helps you build habit-forming products, as well as loyal fans and avid customers.

I also am good friends with Nir Eyal, and we did SO many interesting, helpful podcasts. I highly recommend these for the golden nuggets you’ll find in them. Check out my interviews with Nir on how to raise indistractible kids and how to be indistractible yourself .

• Habits are easy to break and hard to form. To successfully form a habit, do it often. Make it easy to perform your habit, and over time, your brain will think less of doing it and automatically do it more.
• Habit-forming products are hard to ditch since they are built upon habits. They also are very competitive in markets because replacing habit-based products is so hard that there needs to be a major improvement to the product for people to change.
• Follow the trigger-action-reward-investment model to get users hooked on your product. Over time, as the customer uses your product more, they will like it more.

#5: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Goodreads score: 3.94

In the very beginning of my business, I was struggling with vitamins and painkillers. What I mean by that is:

• When you take a vitamin, it’s good for you. You should take them and they’ll help.
• On the other hand, if you need a painkiller… you need it NOW. People will do anything to get a painkiller.

Made to Stick made me realize for the first time that I need to make my content “stickier” to make it helpful. So if you’re thinking about pitching an idea or changing behavior, this one is for you.

• Stories stick because they are memorable, and people want to spread the message. Simple messages work the best.
• To get people off autopilot, your message must be unexpected. Something needs to stick out of the ordinary.
• Use curiosity to your advantage. Curiosity gaps are plot holes or “who did it?” type moments where your audience is eager to find out what happens next. Keep the curiosity, and their interests will be heightened.

#6: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

Goodreads score: 3.82

Now, I love everything Seth has ever written.

But for entrepreneurs, I love Tribes specifically. This book is about building tribes, or building your community. It’s a tiny little book and an easy read, but it keys you in on how to find your people so you can build an authentic following.

• Modern tribes need to be exclusive, personal, and have a strong story. Forget appealing to the masses, because if you try to win everyone, you won’t win anyone.
• You need about 1,000 people to truly keep up a movement. This is the number of believers you need to create change and lead.
• When starting out, don’t focus on the numbers. Focus on bringing people together, closer, and tightening the bonds. You can do this by forming “insiders” vs. “outsiders” and excluding some people.

The 3 Best Business Books of All Time

These are the books that made the bestseller lists. If you haven’t read them yet, you’ve probably heard of them—and for good reason, too. Here are the 3 books that have changed businesses all across the globe, starting with…

#1: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Goodreads score: 4.35

If a business is a house, James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits , is the foundation underneath. This book is a game changer in the way you should go about changing your habits. It’s an all-time bestseller. James Clear even has a blog on how to form good habits.

Great businesses start with great habits, and I love this book because it’s not only theory—it inspires you to take life-changing action.

• Build habits by making them easy. Play more guitar by putting it in the center of the room, or leave healthy snacks closer to you than unhealthy ones.
• Link a habit you want to form with a temptation. This means forming a habit by doing it while rewarding yourself and giving hits of dopamine. You’ll more likely continue the habit this way.
• Develop a habit tracker, calendar, or diary to track your habits and stay accountable.

#2: Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

Goodreads score: 4.15

What makes a great business leader? Brené’s book on leadership teaches you how to be courageous and gain respect. You’ll need both of these traits to succeed as a leader. In fact, I still employ many of the techniques I learned in Dare to Lead on my attitudes as a boss!

• Vulnerability should be cherished. Showing we are vulnerable and prone to failure shows that we are still strong in face of it. Societies that shun failure, on the other hand, are prone to produce weaker ideas, due to fear.
• Great leaders should spend time getting to know their team’s fears and emotions.
• Perfectionism stems from the feeling of trying to win approval. It is the enemy to greatness because it is associated with addiction, depression, and anxiety.

#3: Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

Goodreads Score: 4.16

I might be a little biased, but I wrote Captivate to help you sharpen your people skills. And in business, people skills are everything .

This book is the accumulation of the business soft skills I’ve learned. And it took me years of writing and researching. When it hit the bestseller list and got translated into 16 different languages, I was blown away. This is the modern guide to How to Win Friends and Influence People .

In Captivate , I give you a science-backed framework to master ANY business interaction you find yourself in:

• build trust and confidence with your boss or coworkers
• know what a person is really feeling during a business meeting, without having to ask
• how to network and build your business connections

Whether you’re a social pro or a natural introvert, this book is for you if you want to take your business soft skills to the next level. For a limited time, get the first chapter for free:

• Make an amazing first impression by using nonverbal “hacks.”
• Learn to spot personality traits to accurately assess others.
• Master the 3 types of storytelling to connect with others.
• Decode people’s feelings by identifying the 7 universal facial expressions .
• … and more!

The 3 Best Business Books For Beginners

Don’t know where to start? I got you covered! Learn the ins and outs of business, what businesses are, and what successful businesses look like with these 3 books.

#1: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

Goodreads score: 4.08

I love reading books by Simon Sinek. From Leaders Eat Last to The Infinite Game , Simon always has great entrepreneurial ideas. But Start with Why holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first books to really make me dive deep into WHY I started my business in the first place.

This book is perfect for beginners who are starting a company or thinking about it. If you love books with lots of useful stories, case studies, and real-life examples from companies that changed the world, this is the book for you.

• Instead of trying to sell your product with features, sell your product with values. Explain why your company exists and what it’s trying to achieve. People buy the why more than the what.
• If you want to succeed, you’ve got to activate the limbic brain (i.e., the feeling part of our brain). Emotions sell harder than facts.
• In every society, there are innovators and early adopters of wildly successful products. These are the die-hard fans who accept new trends. Afterward follow the mainstream and laggards who arrive late to the party.

#2: The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

Looking to pack down an entire business degree into one small book? The Personal MBA aims to do just that. Now, this book probably won’t replace an entire business degree, but it does contain lots of essential information for business beginners.

If you have no idea where to start or what a business even is, this book is great to help you understand basic business principles.

• When this was published, an MBA degree student had an average debt of $41,687, yet there is no correlation between long-term career success and having an MBA.
• Follow your dreams or follow the money? The answer is both. You’re more likely to stay with a passionate project, but you also need to focus on a business that can be profitable.
• Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. So, check a new applicant’s employment history, and don’t assume they will change in the future.

#3: The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

Goodreads score: 4.24

Do you really want to be the CEO of a company? You might be imagining sipping coconuts on the beach à la 4-Hour Workweek. Think again. In The Hard Thing , Ben Horowitz pulls you back down to reality by explaining how the job of CEO isn’t all glitz and glam—and how it is one of the toughest and loneliest jobs in the world.

• The life of a CEO is hard. They face The Struggle. To make it easier, try to get as many people involved as possible so you don’t face it alone. You also need to have focus and see the solutions, while avoiding the hazards and potential failures.
• Don’t try to hide bad news. Discussing news with your team and being honest helps fix the problem sooner.
• Hire people for their strengths, not their weaknesses. Place your people where they will excel and show their skills.

The 3 Best Books For Female Entrepreneurs

Calling all female entrepreneurs , aspiring businesswomen, and future female leaders! Did you know that there are only 33 women CEOs in the Fortune 500? Now, I know that number is rising, but it’s far off from being equal. As a woman entrepreneur, I know how hard it is to swim in an ocean of male sharks. Here are the books that can inspire you to take your business beyond greatness:

#1: Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval

Goodreads score: 3.64

What makes a great business leader? Talent? Performance? Vision? Those may play a role, but the ultimate trait, according to Linda and Robin in Grit to Great , is grit. Grit is what makes you work at 2 a.m. while everyone else in the house is fast asleep. And grit is what makes dreams become reality.

• Hard work will get you far, but simply daydreaming will not. That’s why hard work beats out talent most of the time.
• At some point, it’s better to just go in and start doing instead of waiting around.
• To be successful, you must face failure and learn from your experience.

#2: Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis

Goodreads score: 3.90

This book takes you on a wild ride chock-full of motivation, humor, and a firm but warm wake-up call if you’re slacking in business. Girl, Stop Apologizing is filled with empowerment and sets you in the right direction. It’s not strictly business, but a good overall approach to life and the mindset you need to achieve business success.

• Women often neglect their dreams because we are raised to be a good wife or mother.
• “Mommy guilt” is the expectation women feel to forgo their own passions to instead raise a family or care for others.
• Learn to plan, have confidence, be persistent, and be effective to achieve your goals.

#3: #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Goodreads score: 3.67

Sophia Amoruso isn’t just a girl boss… she’s one helluva badass. As a high school dropout who used to shoplift to a now-CEO of a multimillion-dollar business, in #GIRLBOSS , Sophia recounts her life lessons and how she paved the road to her entrepreneurial success. This is truly a zero-to-hero story and one I’ve read a couple times already!

• People are different. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted , you’ve got to leverage your skills to find the career path for you.
• Don’t be afraid of being a wanderer. Try different jobs to take advantage of new opportunities, and revel in being an unconventional woman.
• Creative people aren’t just creative. They can be business oriented, too. Learn to balance your creativity and business to flourish.

The 3 Best Books for Starting a Business

Haven’t started your business yet? Looking to find the best way to do it? Look no further. These are the books that helped me rev my business to life. Without them, I would have spent a LOT of time with trial and error. Here are the books that will give you a blueprint to success:

#1: Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis

Goodreads score: 3.97

I read this book recently, and WOW has it changed my opinion on business. This book is for all the small business owners out there. The reality is: you don’t need a big business to succeed. You don’t need to be Google, or Apple, or Tesla.

The real winners are those business owners that can define their own success—and if you’ve got a small team like me, that’s great! You’ll find tons of value in Company of One .

• Companies of one should always question growth. They should leverage productivity and find innovative ways to scale without hiring more employees. After all, you are the only person who cares the most about your company.
• Resilience is a key trait that leads to success. Resilient people accept reality and don’t engage in wishful thinking. They have a sense of purpose, motivated by more than just money. And they are adaptable. They change if their environment changes.
• 74% of businesses failed because they scaled too quickly. Extra people simply turns into more meetings and less productivity.

#2: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

Goodreads score: 4.03

If you’re on the cusp of starting a business, The E-Myth Revisited is a great read to help you avoid some of the pitfalls you might face. And after reading this book, I realized there are a LOT of pitfalls that most business owners don’t think about, including me! The dollars I spent on this book were SO well worth it—I probably saved thousands from what I learned were absolute killers in the business world.

Here’s what you should know…

• One million small businesses are founded in America each year, but 80% of them fail in the first 5 years.
• A big mistake is letting quality slip as the business grows. During this adolescent stage, many businesses’ quality goes down as free time diminishes. Successful businesses plan out what the future would be like if the owner weren’t there.
• Try operating in a franchise business model—with a franchise, everything works perfectly without the owner’s presence. Imagine you build a business so simple it can be operated by virtually anyone.

#3: Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

Goodreads score: 4.17

Zero to One is a supermotivating book that promotes the idea that ANYONE can make a startup. However, to help you make a startup that actually succeeds, Peter outlines tips and tricks from startups that worked.

Oh yeah, and Peter’s also a co-founder of Paypal. So he’s got a little credibility, too.

• Thinking outside the box is a critical skill. Instead of thinking how you can produce lots of phones and distribute them worldwide, think of how you can build a new, future-forward phone from the existing model. This kind of thinking is unconventional yet needed.
• Monopolies are good—they actually show that companies are doing something right. If your product is the best, it might have a monopoly on all other products.
• Keep innovating. Find the secrets that make your product a winner, and keep chasing those secrets. As soon as you stop, your competitors will find those secrets, instead.

The 3 Best Business Management Books

#1: good to great: why some companies make the leap…and others don’t by jim collins.

If you’re looking for hard examples of companies that made it, look no further than Good to Great . I love this book because it showed me what it takes to transform an average company into a great one. What are the key factors that make a successful company? Read on…

• To become a great company, find what your company can be the best in the world at, what you can be passionate about, and the key economic indicator to focus on.
• Leverage technology only if it helps you push toward your goals. Don’t pursue technology as a goal itself.
• The right people are key to a great company. Hiring the wrong people will make your company suffer.

#2: EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey

Goodreads score: 4.21

Are you a small business owner, or plan to be one? If you’re limited on time, I highly recommend Dave Ramsey’s book. EntreLeadership takes you on a journey of how Dave sets up his managerial systems and designs the exact type of company he wants. He literally took a business from nothing and built it to over 600 people.

It’s superuseful if you’re planning to be a leader or manager in business!

• Great EntreLeaders have specific, clear goals and small steps to take along the way to achieve them.
• Create a daily to-do list to control your time, and prioritize it to concentrate on the items that will make a difference.
• If your marketing isn’t working, try changing it. A good strategy is an ongoing process, so if something doesn’t work once, tweak it until it does.

#3: High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove

Goodreads score: 4.33

An oldie but goodie, High Output Management is perfect for managers. It’s also written by the former CEO of Intel, which speaks volumes about the tips you’re about to read. If you want to dive into the responsibilities of managers and how to motivate your team to work at their peak performance, you owe yourself the favor of reading this book.

• You may hate meetings, but they are essential. There are 3 kinds of meetings, and each meeting has a sole purpose depending on the situation.
• When making a decision, always consult your team first. Make sure to create a supportive environment where people feel free to talk and may share information they otherwise wouldn’t give.
• Motivating and training employees is a big responsibility for the boss. Training should be an ongoing process; people constantly need training to sharpen their skills.

Can Reading Make You Rich?

Thomas C. Corley, author of Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals , conducted a 5-year-long study, researching the daily habits of 177 self-made millionaires.

And yes, millionaires definitely read.

88% of rich people “devote thirty minutes or more each day to self-education or self-improvement reading.” Also, most millionaires don’t read to be entertained (sorry, Harry Potter fans!).

“The rich read to acquire or maintain knowledge,” Thomas said.

This means reading relevant books that will build your skill repertoire or further you in your specific industry. Thomas also found that millionaires tended to read 3 types of books:

• biographies of successful people
• self-help or personal development books
• history books

Luckily, business books fall into the second category.

Without reading, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today. And without reading, these successful people likely wouldn’t have made it, either:

• Warren Buffett, who devotes 80% of his daily time to reading
• Mark Cuban, who reads 3 hours a day
• Bill Gates, who reads 50 books a year

And remember, while reading the right books can make you rich, what’s more important is action.

So, what are you reading to help your success? And do you have a favorite business book? Let me know where you are in your reading journey in the comments below!

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4 thoughts on “the 18 best business books for entrepreneurs (2024)”.

Hi Vanessa! I can see how much that “Influence” book is loved and read and read over and over from the look of the cover! I love all the suggestions in the video. I have a few book recs for you! “Dig the well before you’re thirsty” by Harvey Mackay – it’s about networking. “10% Happier” by Dan Harris,

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The 12 Best Books for Entrepreneurs Starting a Business

Successful people read.

Bill Gates reads 50 books a year .  Mark Cuban reads for more than 3 hours every day .  And, when asked how he learned to build rockets, Elon Musk simply said, “ I read books. ”

Is this a coincidence?  Nope.

Tom Corley, author of Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals , studied the role that reading plays in success .  His findings? 

Wealthy people (defined as those with an annual income of $160,000 or more, and a liquid net worth of $3.2 million-plus) read for education, self-improvement, and success. 

But, poorer people (defined as those with an annual income of $35,000 or less, and a liquid net worth of $5,000 or less) read primarily to be entertained.

Bottom-line? 

These types of books for entrepreneurs are powerful. But , to tap into this power, you have to read the right books.

In this article, we share the top 12 books for entrepreneurs starting a new business .

Post Contents

1. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

2. the 4-hour workweek: escape 9-5, live anywhere, and join the new rich by tim ferris, 3. purple cow: transform your business by being remarkable by seth godin, 4. the $100 startup: reinvent the way you make a living, do what you love, and create a new future by chris guillebeau, 5. deep work: rules for focused success in a distracted world by cal newport, 6. mastery by robert greene, 7. never eat alone: and other secrets to success, one relationship at a time by keith ferrazzi, 8. the lean startup: how today’s entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses by eric ries, 9. the 22 immutable laws of marketing: violate them at your own risk by al ries & jack trout, 10. rework by jason fried and david hansson, 11. the hard thing about hard things: building a business when there are no easy answers by ben horowitz, 12. crushing it: how great entrepreneurs build their business and influence – and how you can, too by gary vaynerchuk, bonus business book: the ultimate guide to starting your first ecommerce business by tomas slimas, summary: pick one book for entrepreneurs.

You’ve probably heard of ‘The Art of War,’ written in the 5th century BC by renowned military strategist Sun-Tzu.

In comparison, Steven Pressfield’s ‘ The War of Art ,’ is Sun-Tzu for the soul.

What really prevents us from reaching our full potential? How can we combat the negative forces inside ourselves that lead us to procrastination, self-doubt, and self-sabotage?

This book for entrepreneurs identifies the most powerful enemy to our dreams that we all face: ourselves.

Simply, Pressfield believes our biggest enemy is ‘resistance.’ Resistance is our natural tendency to procrastinate and self-sabotage.

And, he doesn’t just expose resistance so you can understand what’s really holding you back. Pressfield also outlines a battle plan to help you conquer this internal foe.

So, if you ever struggle with self-doubt , overthinking, or procrastination, this book will help you carve a path to success, through fulfillment and productivity.

Bottom-line?

This book is a succinct, captivating, and no-nonsense guide to achieving success in any creative field.

No list of books for entrepreneurs would be complete without The Four Hour Work Week .

Having sold over 1.3 million copies and been translated into 35 languages, this business book held a spot on The New York Times bestseller list for over seven years .

Often referred to as “The Bible of Lifestyle Design,” Ferriss shows you how to live more and work less.

This business book constantly challenges conventional thought.

The idea is to start thinking outside the box, to always test commonly held views, and push boundaries further than you ever knew was possible.

Ferris will show you why you should forget the outdated concept of a working life, followed by retirement. You’ll also learn how to use time and location to gain financial leverage.

At its heart, this book for entrepreneurs is about productivity and effectiveness — covering topics such as prioritizing, outsourcing, and automation.

Whatever you want to accomplish as an entrepreneur, this business book provides a set of invaluable tools to help you achieve your goals.

This bestselling book for entrepreneurs comes from multi-bestselling author and marketing guru Seth Godin.

In Purple Cow , Godin demonstrates how the traditional P’s of marketing (product, price, promotion, place, etc.) don’t work like they used to.

Because there’s a new ‘P’ that’s now more important: the ‘Purple Cow’.

A ‘purple cow’ is Godin’s metaphor for something phenomenal, counterintuitive and remarkable.

Simply, cows are boring after you’ve seen a few. But a Purple Cow? Now, that would grab everyone’s attention.

This book for entrepreneurs explains how, in today’s market, your business is either remarkable or invisible.

And in it, you’ll learn why safe is dangerous, and why very good is actually bad.

Godin also provides examples of companies that have succeeded by becoming Purple Cows and urges you to emulate them to drive explosive growth through word of mouth.

To thrive, every new entrepreneur needs to understand how to stand out from their competition.

This book will show you how.

In 2013, Chris Guillebeau accomplished his goal of visiting all 193 countries in the world.

And, he’s never had a ‘real job,’ or earned a regular paycheck. Instead, he finds ways to turn ideas into income to support his life of adventure.

In The $100 Startup , Guillebeau hammers home the fact that you don’t need a lot of money to start a successful business.

This book for entrepreneurs features 50 case studies of people who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a small investment — often $100 or less.

And, most of these people had no special skills to begin with, but discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized.

Guillebeau then distills the most valuable lessons from those who’ve learned how to turn their passions into profit.

The book dives deep too –y ou’ll find out exactly how much each entrepreneur had to get started, and what they did in the first weeks and months to gain traction.

It also covers the key mistakes they made, and offers insights into what made each business stick.

This book will help you find the intersection between your passions and skills, and what other people are willing to pay for.

Author and professor Cal Newport defines ‘ Deep Work ’ as the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task for extended periods of time.

And it’s a skill that’s becoming rare, just as it’s becoming more valuable.

While most people are frittering away their valuable time in a frantic blur of shallow tasks — like email and social media — the most successful people are focusing their attention on the tasks that truly matter.

Simply, deep work is the skill that’s vital to your ability to master complicated tasks and produce better results in less time.

And, not only will this skill supercharge your effectiveness, Newport also argues that it’s the key to a true sense of fulfillment.

This book for entrepreneurs is divided into two parts.

The first argues how cultivating a deep work ethic will produce monumental results in almost any profession.

In the second, Newport presents four detailed ‘rules’ for transforming your mind and habits to develop the ability to ‘go deep.’

In summary, in an increasingly distracting world, the ability to go deep will put you miles ahead of the competition.

And, this business book will show you how.

New York Times-bestselling author Robert Greene believes that we all have the potential to become a Master.

And, in this book for entrepreneurs, Greene lays out the path to Mastery : Learn the secrets of your field, commit to a rigorous apprenticeship, and absorb the knowledge of those with years of experience.

Additionally, Greene presents the behaviors of great masters, such as Darwin, Leonardo da Vinci, as well as nine contemporary masters interviewed especially for the book.

Then, he distills the common traits held by these masters to show that success isn’t about what you know, but about who you are. And, that a true master from any field can find a way to succeed in any other.

Also, this business book will show you which master traits you already possess, and how to develop the ones you don’t.

If mastery is the path to greatness, this book is your roadmap.

Ferrazzi originally came from humble beginnings, but his network of relationships now stretches from Hollywood’s A-list to Washington’s corridors of power.

In this essential book for entrepreneurs, Ferrazzi demonstrates the power of relationships in business. Additionally, he lays out the mindset, and the steps he uses to connect with thousands of people.

Basically, think of Never Eat Alone as a modern version of, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’

What’s so refreshing, is that Ferrazzi shuns the traditional glad-handing usually synonymous with ‘networking.’

Instead, he advocates basing relationships on generosity and connecting friends with other people.

This business book also outlines the timeless strategies used by some of the world’s most connected people, such as Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, and the Dalai Lama.

And, it presents a set of proven principles and actionable tactics that you can use to further your career and happiness.

Not to mention, in the time since Never Eat Alone was published in 2005, the rise of social media has only made Ferrazzi’s advice and strategies more valuable to every entrepreneur.

Thankfully, the new edition also includes in-depth advice for making connections in the digital world.

In summary, master networker Keith Ferrazzi shows you how to grow your success by consistently reaching out to other people, and creating relationship dynamics where everyone wins.

Eric Ries is the creator of the Lean Startup revolution.

And in this timeless book, he shows entrepreneurs how to bootstrap a business , gain traction, and keep it lean for maximum results.

Constant digital innovation means that businesses need to continuously adapt and learn or, they’ll be outpaced and left in the dust.

Ries argues that “the only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else.”

This book for entrepreneurs is centered around taking action, constantly testing, and relentlessly adapting. And in it, Ries provides an innovative, hands-on process for becoming a more adaptable company.

The Lean Startup is also chock-full of case studies that demonstrate the principles Rie’s teaches within.

This business book is particularly good if you’re prone to overplanning and preparing while putting off the inevitable action needed to make progress.

So, whether you want to create a scrappy startup, a small business, or a corporate machine, read this book.

Because the lean startup methodology is the new blueprint for business success.

If you build an airplane but ignore the laws of physics, it will never fly.

So it goes with the laws of marketing if you want to build a successful brand.

In this timeless classic, world-renowned marketing consultants Al Ries and Jack Trout expose The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing .

These include the Law of the Mind; “It’s better to be first in the mind, than to be first in the marketplace.” And, the Law of Leadership: “It’s better to be first than it is to be better.”

What’s more, this succinct business book is full of useful case studies to illustrate each law.

These essential insights have stood the test of time, and present a clear path to lasting marketing success

As Ries and Trout write, “Violate them at your own risk!”

So, read this business book to make sure that your marketing efforts adhere to these immutable laws.

After all, prevention is better than cure.

Most business books offer the same advice to entrepreneurs — study up, write a business plan, pitch investors…

But, this New York Time’s best-selling book shatters outdated notions — challenging mainstream business mindset and culture.

And then, it provides a whole new way of thinking.

Minimalist in delivery and ideology, Rework shows you that you need far less than you think to start a successful enterprise.

You don’t need an office. You don’t need to be a workaholic. You don’t need more staff or investors. You don’t even need meetings.

What you need is to prioritize more. To say ‘no’ more. To stop talking, researching, and planning and start doing.

You’ll also learn why plans are harmful, outside investors are unnecessary, and ignoring the competition is best.

Overall, this playbook is full of counterintuitive, revolutionary ideas.

Presented in powerful bite-sized chapters, Rework shows you a better, faster, and easier way to succeed in business today.

So, whatever your entrepreneurial dreams, get this information in your head to help make them a reality.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things is endorsed by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, and Peter Thiel.

So, you should probably read it .

As one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, Ben Horowitz offers essential advice on building and running a business.

Many people highlight the excitement of life as an entrepreneur.

But in this business book, Horowitz also shines a light on the difficulties and struggles entrepreneurs face.

What’s particularly interesting is that Horowitz starts by arguing that there’s no formula for success. But, that you can learn invaluable lessons from others’ failures and hardships.

It’s full of Horowitz’s trademark humor — including stories of what it’s like to poach competitors and fire friends.

This business book was born out of Horowitz’s long-time personal blog.

And, it includes most of his original posts, compiled and adapted into an incredible guide to navigating the inevitable problems that occur in business.

Overall, this book for entrepreneurs is a no-nonsense, uncensored view of what it’s really like to be an entrepreneur.

Four-time New York Times bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk turns up the heat with his latest book, Crushing It!

Not to be confused with his 2009 business book, Crush It, in which Vaynerchuk argued that a vibrant personal brand is vital to business success.

This book for entrepreneurs showcases new lessons, advice, tactics, and strategies taken from his own experiences, and that of many other powerful influencers and entrepreneurs.

These successful entrepreneurs all shunned the traditional corporate life.

And instead, they built businesses on their own terms to become richer — financially, and personally.

In this lively and inspiring business book, Vaynerchuk dissects every major social media platform and shows you how to use it to increase your brand awareness and grow your business.

So, if you’re looking for actionable advice on how to build a powerful brand on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram , and Snapchat , this book is for you.

But, this isn’t just about professional and financial success.

This is about living life on your own terms .

Tomas Slimas is an ecommerce force of nature.

In The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your First Ecommerce Business , Slimas leads you step-by-step through the process of starting your first ecommerce business.

You’ll learn how to find great products, how to find suppliers, how to launch your ecommerce store, and how to market your products .

And, want to know the craziest part? This book is completely free.

Because Slimas is on a mission to help new entrepreneurs create the business of their dreams.

First, he founded Shopify — the platform to help you build a successful ecommerce store fast.

And now, with this book for entrepreneurs, he teaches you exactly how to make it happen .

More than any other book on this list, this book for entrepreneurs offers extremely specific advice on starting your business. 

That’s a lot of reading!

So, don’t try to do it all at once.

Pick one of these business books to start with. Which one seems the most useful to you right now?

Whichever book you pick, it’ll be worth the time.

Just listen to Warren Buffet…

When asked about the keys to success, he said, “ Read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”

But, he’s not talking about you.

You’re going to ‘read to lead’ — so, pick a book and get to it.

Did I miss any awesome books for entrepreneurs? Let us know in the comments below — we read them all!

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The 8 Best Business Plan Books in 2022

You are finally ready to start that business you’ve been sitting on for a while, but you have no idea how to begin. There is a lot of planning to do and so much advice in the pipelines. So, how do you begin? Start with the best business plan books in 2022. The curated list below includes books from year past but they represent the best options to launch your business today.

This business plan book comes in PDF format takes an innovative approach to writing a business plan that is not only effective, but fun.Download this business plan workbook PDF now and walk through:

• Setting tangible goals and milestones
• Creating a powerful elevator speech
• Precisely defining your target customer base
• Intelligently understanding your competition
• Articulately structuring the core of your business plan
• And much more!

Write the business plan of your dreams! This business plan workbook goes beyond the cold numbers to help any entrepreneur plan a business with his or her life ambitions in mind. You’ll be able to crystallize your vision.

Table of Contents

Best Business Plan Books in 2022

It is often said that every prosperous owner is an avid reader of self-help books, so let’s begin from there. Get some real-world guidance from the best industry leaders and business owners in these eight books we have picked. Master how to position yourself properly, create personal connections, and build your dream team.

Yes, you have to separate the fluff from the real counsel. Learn how to lay the proper foundation for your startup with these best business plan books in 2022.

1. “Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning” by Tim Berry

This trusty gem has made it on many lists and stays atop of our best business plan books in 2022. Tim is the founder of Palo Alto Software, makers of Business Plan Pro and Live Plan, and was one of MoreBusiness.com’s partners when we started the site many years ago.

If you want a book that would break down the steps to constructing a solid business plan, then “Hurdle” is an amazing option. Written by Tim Berry, the book teaches the reader the basics of business planning, daily organizational management, and how best to implement what you’ve learned in real-life situations.

That is not all; you also get multiple examples on profit monitoring and calculation, cash flow tracking , plus a 53-page workbook to master drafting a working business plan. So it’s two for the price of one. With this book, you get to practice your business plan while you read.

2. “Anatomy of A Business Plan” by Linda Pinson

If you read this book, you will discover that the writer, Linda Pinson nailed her goals, as the name of the book suggests. With this title, you can draft a tailor-made business plan that considers your business case and specifics.

From organizational structure, financial documentation, marketing systems, marketing, and planning, this title holds your hand through it all. Get extensive reviews, valuable hints and ideas, workbooks, plus five real-world sample business plans to get you started.

Josh Radnore, a businessman, books critic and a writer for PapersOwl underlines the key principle of a business plan: “The right business plan should take your long-term goals into consideration. Ask yourself what you want to achieve and set realistic and achievable goals”. He carries on by adding: “When you do this, you can know what you need to do to get where you want to go”.

3. “The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur” by Jim Horan

Are you trying to draft a concise one sheet business plan to meet up urgently with an investor? Jin Horan and Tom Peter came up with a quick but detailed guide that focuses on the exact details you need to write that plan. You get a book that can guarantee your success without taking too much of your time.

There is no need to read this overnight; you can figure out clear ways to outline your business systems, objectives, road map, action plan, and the vision and mission statements in a few hours.

4. “The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan” by Hal Shelton

Read this concise and well-written guide to get a glimpse into the secrets Hal Shelton has to share. Just by reading this step-by-step title and implementing the teachings, you can set your organization up for success.

Learning from your mistakes is so last year; this book will teach you the common errors business owners make when planning. You would also grasp how to develop your unique style to help you attract investors and loans, help – when, where and how to get it – and how to stand out.

5. “The Art of The Start 2.0” by Guy Kawasaki

It’s not just about drafting a business plan; there are other necessary things that can affect your small business when you are starting. To help you plan and achieve your goals more easily, Guy Kawasaki, who you might know from the Canva design platform, has prepared the “essential guide for anyone starting anything”.

Get access to real-world counsel on how to perfect your pitch, crowdfunding, bootstrapping, the role of social media and other digital innovations in drafting the ideal business plan.

6. “The Complete Book of Business Plans” by Joseph A Covello and Brian J Hazelgren

This title made it to our best business plan books in 2022 because of the examples it provides. Get ahead with the dozens of business plan templates this title offers. Do you need motivation or counsel on attracting the right investors? Only by answering these questions in detail can you create a successful business plan to help you begin a profitable company.

You’ve got all you require in detail here, including the right steps to statistical analysis. You can even grasp how to pick the right business partners and plan for success and business longevity.

It does not matter if you are a first-timer or starting your fifth organization. With this book, you would be forced to ask yourself every difficult question that needs to be answered.

7. “The Founder’s Dilemmas” by Noam Wasserman

Business planning goes beyond market research, drafting a pitch and attracting investors with a business plan template . Along the line in this never-ending journey, you would need to think about leadership and how it can affect your new company. The staffing and leadership roles and whom you employ can say a lot.

The author, Noam Wasserman, helps you look at these factors before they can become issues. Take a break from the “how” and “why” of the ideal business plan and focus on the “who” in this interesting read.

8. “Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies” by Rhonda Abrams

Not every business plan will work, and this title would help you determine whether the one you have in mind is a winner. Authored by an expert in all business matters, Rhonda Abrams, you can learn about positioning, organizational costs, proven strategies for funding, and the competition.

With graphics, exercises, and worksheets to make reading fun, this is one of the best business plan books in 2022 and you will discover a thing or two, especially if you take some guidance given by other experts.

The guidance you get and the information you consume when starting any business are crucial to its success. Don’t start one of those companies that fold up early on because of poor organizational design and systems. To plan properly, you need to master tips and tricks from the best of the best, and you can get this by reading the best business plan books in 2022.

So, pick one of the titles in this carefully curated list and download MoreBusiness.com’s sample business plans today and you’ll be well on your way to planning a successful business that promises longevity.

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The 5 Best Business Plan Books (& Why You Shouldn’t Read Them)

You probably know that having a business plan will improve your chances of success in starting and growing your business. Reading the right business plan book can help you craft the perfect plan. But, there are more efficient ways than reading a book to learn about business planning and to complete your plan. In this article, I’ll show you such options, and if you’d still like to read a book, I’ll tell you the top 5 business planning books to consider.  

Why You Don’t Need To Read a Business Planning Book

There are many books about business planning that you could read, but why shouldn’t you? 

The simple answer, time. 

Reading even the best business plan books will take time to read and then process, and this is on top of the considerable time it takes to complete market research and write a solid business plan.

Instead, technology has provided today’s entrepreneurs with easy-to-follow simple business plan templates that teach you how to write the business plan as you complete the plan. Although every business is unique, a business plan template will offer you a great starting point and often includes customizable financial plans specific to your industry.   

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

The right business plan template will include all essential components of a successful business plan including:

• Executive Summary
• Company Overview
• Market Analysis
• Customer Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Operations Plan
• Management Team
• Financial Plan

You can learn more about each of these business plan components and how to write a business plan from the business planning experts at Growthink.

    Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you enjoy reading & want to learn more….

So, you don’t actually need to read a business book, but if you do, learn from the experts who have ventured on the same entrepreneurial journey. Their practical advice provides a step-by-step guide through the planning process to help you complete the necessary market research to stay competitive while completing the financial analysis needed to secure funding.  

How We Can Help You Succeed

At Growthink, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners develop business plans to start and grow their companies. With this extensive experience, we’ve created a simple business plan template and business plan examples for 100+ sectors (and we’re still going!) to save you time and make it even easier to write a successful business plan. Check out the links below or learn more in our Business Plan Writing Help Center to help you launch or expand your successful business.

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

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The 33 Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs in 2024

Books can cheer us up when we’re feeling sad, motivate us to make improvements, and teach us new skills. If you’re looking to put together an entrepreneurial reading list, here are the best business books to include.

Reading regularly in adulthood helps you develop analytical skills, makes you a better communicator, stimulates the creative center of your brain, and strengthens your ability to recall information. Books can cheer you up when you’re feeling sad, motivate you to make improvements, and teach you new skills.

Skills like these can benefit just about everyone, but for entrepreneurs , the ability to analyze a situation, apply lessons learned, and come up with innovative solutions⁠ is crucial.

If you’re looking to put together an essential reading list for yourself, here are the best business books to include: 

33 of the best business books

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
• Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
• Chillpreneur: The New Rules for Creating Success, Freedom, and Abundance on Your Terms by Denise Duffield-Thomas
• Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
• How to Be an Overnight Success: Making It in Business by Maria Hatzistefanis
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
• Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
• Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
• Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss
• The Art of Learning by Joshua Waitzkin
• The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
• The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
• The End of Procrastination: How to Stop Postponing and Live a Fulfilled Life by Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
• The Innovator’s Solution: Creating and Sustaining Successful Growth by Clayton Christensen and Michael E. Raynor
• The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
• The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
• The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller (with Jay Papasan)
• The Ten-Day MBA: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Skills Taught in America’s Top Business Schools by Steven A. Silbiger
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Tim Ferriss
• Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
• Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
• The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

1. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Goodreads rating: 4.4

In Atomic Habits , author, entrepreneur, and photographer James Clear offers his personal strategy for rapid self-improvement to anyone looking to change their habits . Clear’s expert analysis of habit formation lifts the veil on why bad habits persist, and offers a plan of action for stopping them. 

He argues bad habits aren’t the result of an unwillingness to change but of a poor strategy for changing them. Atomic Habits offers a framework for understanding why our bad habits exist, and executing effective, practical strategies for changing them.

Clear’s guide covers inspiring stories along the way, from people who’ve used his strategies to build good habits, including Olympic gold medalists, business leaders, and stand-up comedians. Atomic Habits provides entrepreneurs with great inspiration, as well as practical guides to overcoming their bad habits.

Top quote: "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity."

2. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinkingby Malcolm Gladwell

Goodreads rating: 3.9

In Blink , journalist and bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell draws on his knowledge in the fields of neuroscience and psychology to explore how we think without thinking . Decisions that are made in the blink of an eye aren’t as simple as they seem. 

Though decisions can be made quickly, they’re driven by complex cognitive processes. In Blink , Gladwell interviews a host of unique experts in decision-making⁠—from a tennis coach who’s able to predict a fault before a player’s racket hits the ball to antique experts able to spot a “fake” within a second.

Gladwell argues the best decision makers aren’t the people who give the most consideration to the decision, but those who have mastered the art of “thin-slicing”: a process where the few factors that matter are filtered out from an overwhelming number of variables instantly.

Top quote: "In life, most of us are highly skilled at suppressing action. All the improvisation teacher has to do is to reverse this skill and he creates very ‘gifted’ improvisers. Bad improvisers block action, often with a high degree of skill. Good improvisers develop action."

3. Chillpreneur: The New Rules for Creating Success, Freedom, and Abundance on Your Terms by Denise Duffield-Thomas

Goodreads rating: 4.3

Chillpreneur documents money mindset coach Denis Duffield-Thomas’s approach to business and finances. It guides you through identifying business models that work for your personality, how to get comfortable with marketing and self-promotion, and ideas for pricing and dealing with other uncomfortable money matters.

For entrepreneurs seeking a book to help them get on top of their cash flow while avoiding burnout, this is a great book to pick up. It’s full of practical and approachable advice with a friendly sense of humor.

Top quote: "Don’t reinvent the wheel! This is such a classic money block—the feeling that we have to work so hard that we have to reinvent the wheel every time."

4. Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis

Paul Jarvis is a successful solopreneur who shares his approach to business in Company of One . According to him, you don’t need to grow an empire and hire employees to have a thriving business. In fact, smaller businesses are often more fulfilling than big ones.

Jarvis talks about how one of the biggest advantages to being a business owner is you get to create a life of balance. And not only that, the lack of hierarchy and business politics makes you more efficient. Smart entrepreneurship isn’t necessarily big business—it’s better business.

Top quote: "There’s nothing wrong with finding the right size and then focusing on being better. Small can be a long-term plan, not just a stepping-stone."

5. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Goodreads rating: 4.1

Distraction is an issue so many people struggle with. In Deep Work , professor of computer science Cal Newport shares his insight on how to focus deeply on cognitively demanding tasks in a world filled with distractions.

Newport argues the ability to focus without distraction isn’t something people are born with⁠—it’s a skill that must be learned, practiced, and mastered. 

Deep Work offers readers Newport’s personal training regimen, which consists of four rules for practicing deep focus and building good habits. By reframing distraction as an opportunity rather than a burden, Newport offers critical advice to anyone looking for motivation.

Top quote: "To produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction. Put another way, the type of work that optimizes your performance is deep work."

6. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

In  Good to Great , business management consultant Jim Collins describes how good companies make the transition into great ones, using case studies (both good and bad) of businesses that have succeeded in and failed to make the transition. 

Collins’ book is perfect for entrepreneurs looking to understand what gives successful businesses an inside edge. The insight offered by  Good to Great  has been praised by a number of CEOs, with several members of  The Wall Street Journal ’s CEO Council citing it as  the best management book they’ve read .

Top quote: "Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life."

7. How to Be an Overnight Success: Making It in Business by Maria Hatzistefanis

Goodreads rating: 3.7

In How to Be an Overnight Success , Maria Hatzistefanis shares her journey founding skin care brand Rodial . She talks about starting the company in her bedroom, growing it all on her own. She focused on developing her personal brand to build buzz and awareness, and then turned her audience onto her skin care products—eventually embarking on influencer marketing and celebrity collaborations with big names like Kyle Jenner and Jade Jagger.

This isn’t just a business book about Maria’s story. She shares important lessons along the way, proving that anybody can replicate similar success on their own.

Top quote: "Success is about the relentless pursuit of what you want and hard work is an essential ingredient."

8. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Goodreads rating: 4.2

Dale Carnegie was a writer and educator who, over the course of his long career, developed training courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, public speaking tips , and other interpersonal skills. 

Written in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People is considered a classic of the self-help genre and, with over 30 million copies sold, is one of the bestselling books of all time . Carnegie’s book was compiled with knowledge he’d gained in the decades he spent teaching business education courses. 

In it, Carnegie explores practical tips for relating to people, both in professional and personal life. He gives advice on making people like you, provides tips on persuading people to your way of thinking, and discusses how to gain respect as a leader without arousing resentment.

Top quote: "It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it."

9. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Robert B. Cialdini is a professor of psychology and marketing at Arizona State University. In Influence , he explores the psychology behind persuasion and offers a practical framework for influencing people in the world of business and marketing. 

Cialdini argues that in a world filled with distractions, people rely on generalizations and assumptions to make decisions, rather than relying purely on evidence. Cialdini uses empirical studies conducted in the fields of psychology, marketing, economics, anthropology, and social science to make his arguments. 

Influence identifies six principles that guide human decision making , and gives real-world examples of how these principles can guide your decision making when trying to persuade others . The practical tools provided in Cialdini’s book make it one of the most useful marketing books , especially for aspiring entrepreneurs without a lot of business experience.

Top quote: "The truly gifted negotiator, then, is one whose initial position is exaggerated enough to allow for a series of concessions that will yield a desirable final offer from the opponent, yet is not so outlandish as to be seen as illegitimate from the start."

10. Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg penned Lean In as a book to empower women entrepreneurs and leaders in business. In the book , she talks about how women often hold themselves back and don’t allow themselves to pursue business and leadership opportunities. Backed by research and sprinkled with relatable narratives and stories, Lean In also includes actionable tips for women who want to excel in business.

The book isn’t just for women, though. Sheryl also provides insight and advice for men looking to support women in business and leadership. It’s a must-read no matter your gender.

Top quote: "In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders."

11. Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin

Goodreads rating: 3.8

Seth Godin is a former business executive and a bestselling author who has been cited by Business Insider as one of the most influential thinkers in business . 

In Linchpin , Godin explores the concept of “linchpin” employees : innovative thinkers who are willing to break the rules and re-invent ways of getting things done. Godin argues linchpins are indispensable, and vital to any company that hopes to grow and thrive. 

Whether you’re a creator looking to understand what makes you a valuable asset or a business owner trying to figure out how to find valuable new hires, Linchpin offers crucial insight into understanding this phenomenon.

Top quote: "An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. And an artist takes it personally."

12. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Carol S. Dweck’s Mindset is packed with research exploring the psychology behind success not only in business but across all areas of life. She concludes people behave in a way that reflects the way they view their abilities. She offers two points of view, a “fixed mindset”—believing your abilities are fixed, or set in stone—and a “growth mindset”—believing your abilities can be developed and improved.

The book also dives into the idea of a false growth mindset. In other words, you might think you demonstrate a growth mindset, but the reality is you’re not developing skills like you think. Those who have a true growth mindset can not only achieve personal success more easily, but can also lead and inspire others to do the same.

Top quote: "No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment."

13. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss

Chris Voss is a business professor, CEO of  Black Swan Group , and a former FBI hostage negotiator⁠—widely considered to be an expert in the psychology of persuasion .

In Never Split the Difference , Voss reveals the strategies he’s used in his own career for approaching high-stakes negotiation. Voss explores how to build trust, overcome emotional obstacles, use empathy as a tool rather than a hindrance, and the language to use to communicate clearly. 

First-time entrepreneurs will need to enter into negotiations with their business partners , investors, employees, contractors, and all sorts of other stakeholders. Never Split the Difference offers tools and techniques for juggling all of the factors of negotiation.

Top quote: "If you approach a negotiation thinking the other guy thinks like you, you are wrong. That’s not empathy, that’s a projection."

14. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Rework comes from Jason Fried, CEO of Basecamp, and David Heinemeier Hansson, the programmer who invented the Ruby on Rails web development framework. 

Fried and Hanson are both entrepreneurs with tech backgrounds who offer great advice for any business owner who might be an expert in their field but a beginner to the world of entrepreneurship. Rework tosses aside conventional business jargon and instead offers advice that’s concrete and straightforward. 

In this New York Times bestseller, Fried and Hanson present their readers with a variety of low-cost ways to grow their business, with lessons on increasing productivity , not getting bogged down by too much planning , and ways of getting exposure for your business without spending too much startup cash .

Top quote: "When you don’t know what you believe, everything becomes an argument. Everything is debatable. But when you stand for something, decisions are obvious."

15. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

In Start with Why , author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek examines the lives of great leaders, from Martin Luther King to Steve Jobs, and attempts to develop a common thread in the reason for their success, despite having very different goals and aspirations. 

His conclusion: the greatest leaders ask why . Why do customers buy from certain brands? Why are people loyal to some leaders and not others? Why do companies fail? Great leaders want to understand why things happen and do everything in their power to find the answer. 

Sinek draws on a range of real-life experiences, weaving together a clear vision of what it takes to lead and inspire others. His book is a great read for anyone looking to understand what it means to lead with confidence.

Top quotes: "Great companies don’t hire skilled people and motivate them, they hire already motivated people and inspire them."

16. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss is an acclaimed entrepreneur, investor, author, podcaster, and lifestyle guru. His book The 4-Hour Workweek (the first in a series of 4-Hour books) spent more than four years on the New York Times Best Seller list and is considered one of the best books ever written on productivity. 

In The 4-Hour Workweek , Ferris argues that the idea that success comes from hours and hours of grueling hard work without rest is flawed. Instead, he instructs readers on how to redesign their lifestyle and focus on freeing up time through a number of strategies, like prioritizing important things, learning how to automate income streams, and dropping unproductive tasks. 

Top quotes: "What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do."

17. The Art of Learning by Joshua Waitzkin

Goodreads rating: 4.5

In The Art of Learning , Waitzkin gives insight into how he’s cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset and shares his strategy for always learning and adapting. To Waitzkin, failure is an opportunity for more growth. In his book, he teaches readers how to accept failure, learn from it, and use it to grow and understand where your weaknesses are so you can improve.

Top quote: "Growth comes at the point of resistance. We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities."

18. The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

Don Norman is a researcher, professor and business consultant, renowned as one of the foremost experts in the field of usability engineering . In The Design of Everyday Things , he offers advice on how to design a good product, based on what he’s learned in his long career. 

Norman starts by exploring some of the most timeless product designs⁠—such as doorknobs, light switches, and oven burners⁠—asking us to consider why the most timeless designs tend to be the simplest. 

The answer has to do with how human brains process information. So many designers make the mistake of ignoring human cognitive psychology in an effort to create a product that does everything, rather than a product that does one thing very well. 

Norman’s book is the perfect primer for anyone in the process of designing a new product.

Top quote: "Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible."

19. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

Goodreads rating: 4

Michael E. Gerber is the founder of Michael E. Gerber Companies , a business skills training company based in California. In The E-Myth Revisited , Gerber explores why 80% of small businesses fail, and offers insight into how to make sure your business isn’t among them. 

Gerber’s thesis is that people mistakenly believe that technical knowledge will translate into business success, which isn’t usually the case. Gerber instructs readers on how to break out of this mindset and set-up a business that relies on “systems” rather than the skills of individuals. 

The E-Myth Revisited is a must-read for tech entrepreneurs, exploring how companies with an innovative product can self-sabotage by not considering how that innovation translates into business success.

Top 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."

20. The End of Procrastination: How to Stop Postponing and Live a Fulfilled Life by Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker

We live in a high-tech world with endless distractions: overflowing inboxes, endless app notifications, and never-ending social media feeds. It’s never been easier to fall into the trap of procrastination. 

In The End of Procrastination , co-founders of Procrastination.com Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker put forth a practical strategy for overcoming unwanted procrastination and argue that procrastination is not just a waste of time, but detrimental to leading a happy and fulfilled life. 

Ludwig and Schicker explore how the brain responds to motivation and self-discipline, outlining eight easy-to-use tools for anyone looking to overcome their procrastination tendencies .

Top quote: "The amount of opportunities that today’s world offers is staggering. Imagine the extent of these opportunities as if it was the space in between an open pair of scissors. The more opportunities you have, the wider this imaginary pair of scissors— the scissors of potential —opens. Today, they are open wider than they have ever been in history."

21. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz is an entrepreneur, investor, author, and co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. In The Hard Thing About Hard Things , he draws on his own experience starting a business to offer advice to anyone looking to become a successful entrepreneur. 

Horowitz doesn’t shy away from talking about challenges that few business writers want to talk about. He explores the hard things about running a business: dealing with failure, conflicts among employees, layoffs, persevering through tough times, and making big, tough decisions that impact the livelihoods of stakeholders in the business.

The essential advice and practical tips that Horowitz offers in his book provide entrepreneurs with crucial advice for taking action in the face of tough choices and leading a successful business into the modern world.

Top quote: "Whenever I meet a successful CEO, I ask them how they did it. Mediocre CEOs point to their brilliant strategic moves or their intuitive business sense or a variety of other self-congratulatory explanations. The great CEOs tend to be remarkably consistent in their answers. They all say, ‘I didn’t quit.’"

22. The Innovator’s Solution: Creating and Sustaining Successful Growth by Clayton Christensen and Michael E. Raynor

Business consultant and academic Clayton Christensen is world-renowned for developing the theory of “ disruptive innovation ,” which is an innovation that creates an entirely new market, displacing established products. 

In The Innovator’s Solution , he and business consultant Michael E. Raynor expand on the idea of disruptive innovation, arguing that companies can and should become disruptive to their own industries, especially in the modern, hyper-accelerated digital world. 

Touching on real-world examples, Christensen and Raynor explore companies that have successfully (and unsuccessfully) disrupted their industries, and provide a framework for creating the right conditions and identifying the right time for disruption.

Top quote: "Research suggests that in over 90 percent of all successful new businesses, historically, the strategy that the founders had deliberately decided to pursue was not the strategy that ultimately led to the business’s success."

Learn more : How This Direct to Consumer Brand Disrupted the Cookware Industry

23. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

Benjamin Graham is an economist, professor, and investor⁠, widely known in the business world as the " father of value investing .” 

Written in 1949, The Intelligent Investor offers advice on investing in the stock market that’s still relevant today. Graham focuses on investments that minimize economic risks and instructs the reader on how to find longer-term, risk-averse investments based on research rather than speculation. 

The Intelligent Investor is a must-read for anyone looking for more guidance on personal finance and wanting to learn how to make sound, financial decisions.

Top quote: "The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists."

24. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries

Goodreads rating:   4.1

Pages:  299

Eric Reiss is an entrepreneur known for his work in the field of information architecture, usability, and service design. In The Lean Startup , Ries explores why most startups fail and gives insight into how to avoid failure in the early days of your business. 

Ries touches on how the most successful startups leverage human creativity while keeping costs low , with a focus on rapid experimentation, effectively measuring success by eliminating superfluous vanity metrics, and adapting to customer needs.

Reis’s book offers a way for companies to test their vision continuously, and describes how to use innovative techniques to adapt to change. The Lean Startup is a must-read for anyone looking to avoid the pitfalls of startups that failed.

Top quote: "We must learn what customers really want, not what they say they want or what we think they should want."

25. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller (with Jay Papasan)

In The ONE Thing , real estate entrepreneur and bestselling author Gary Keller discusses his strategy for success by narrowing his workload to focus on more important tasks without getting bogged down by less important ones. 

Keller argues that while we tend to apply importance to everything, not everything matters equally. Keller’s approach to achieving success involves narrowing your focus to the one thing that matters most. He says that multi-tasking tends to lead to a breakdown in the quality of work performed on each task, and labels the idea of multitasking a lie. 

Keller’s wisdom can be used by anyone, but it’s especially important for entrepreneurs looking for an effective way to evaluate their biggest priorities and effectively manage their time.

Top quote: "Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls—family, health, friends, integrity—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered."

26. The Ten-Day MBA: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Skills Taught In America’s Top Business Schools by Steven A. Silbiger

In The Ten-Day MBA , MBA and marketing director Steven A. Silbiger gives readers a crash course in everything he’s learned in his years teaching business, covering theoretical concepts along-side practical skills like accounting , finance, marketing strategy , quantitative analysis, operations, economics, organizational behavior, and ethics.

Silbiger’s internationally acclaimed comprehensive guide compiles lessons from business schools across the world, based on the notes of MBA students attending programs at Harvard, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Virginia.

Top quote: "Marketing is a special blend of art and science. There is a great deal to be learned in marketing classes, but no amount of schooling can teach you the experience, the intuition, and the creativity to be a truly gifted marketer. That’s why those with the gift are so highly paid."

27. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Goodreads rating:  4.1

Pages:  233

Originally published in 1937 during the Great Depression, Think and Grow Rich is a classic of the self-help and personal development genre. In writing it, Napoleon Hill researched the lives of more than 40 millionaires to discover what common thread ran through them.

He concluded that the starting point of achievement is the desire for something better, and that failure, even when it’s frequent, is a necessary obstacle to achieving success. 

Hill offers practical knowledge about tackling goals by focusing on a single, defined one—arguing that the biggest successes often follow the biggest failures.

Top quote:  "The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat."

Read more:   101 Entrepreneur Quotes from the Most Successful Business Owners

28. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Daniel Kahneman is a psychologist and Nobel Prize–winning economist renowned for his expertise in the psychology of judgment and decision making. In Thinking, Fast and Slow , he explores how two systems⁠— intuition and slow thinking ⁠—work together to shape our judgment and help us make decisions. 

An expert in the field of behavioral economics, Kahneman uses his insight to offer readers an explanation for how decision making can be affected by stress and explores how confirmation bias can make us jump to conclusions. 

Kahneman’s insight is great not only for merchants looking to improve their own decision-making skills, but also for marketers looking for insight into how consumers make decisions.

Top quote: "Intelligence is not only the ability to reason; it is also the ability to find relevant material in memory and to deploy attention when needed."

29. Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Tim Ferriss

On his acclaimed business podcast , The Tim Ferriss Show , Ferris interviews all kinds of guests, including famous actors, legendary athletes, accomplished scientists, artists, and business leaders. In Tools of Titans , he summarizes and distills the habits, tactics, and routines of the wide-range of guests he’s had on his program. 

Ferriss skips over vague platitudes about effort and attitude and instead focuses on real-world actionable techniques that he’s come across from guests on his show. In Tools of Titans , Ferriss paints a vivid picture of how the lifestyles habits of the most-successful people have contributed to their success. 

Tools of Titans is inspirational, but it also offers practical solutions to readers, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the most successful people have grown to operate.

Top quote: "Creativity is an infinite resource. The more you spend, the more you have."

Read more:  The 32 Best Entrepreneur Books of All Time

30. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

Peter Theil is a billionaire entrepreneur and venture capitalist, and co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund. Zero to One is based on a series of essays taken from notes of a lecture Theil gave on startups in 2012. 

Zero to One is a primer on innovation that explores how entrepreneurs develop new ideas by learning to think outside the box, making it a great book for business people looking to carve out a profitable niche . Atlantic writer Derek Thompson cited Zero to One as maybe the best business book he’s ever read .

Top quote: "The founding moment of a company, however, really does happen just once: only at the very start do you have the opportunity to set the rules that will align people toward the creation of value in the future."

31. Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt

Goodreads rating: 4.1 Pages: 320 Richard Rumelt is a professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a renowned consultant on corporate strategy. With a background in engineering and management, Rumelt has been a leading voice in strategic thinking for several decades, known for his clear and insightful analysis of business and competitive strategy. Good Strategy, Bad Strategy  offers a critical look at the often misunderstood and misapplied concept of strategy in business. Rumelt emphasizes that good strategy is about making clear, coherent decisions and setting priorities, while bad strategy is characterized by fluff, failure to face challenges, and a lack of focus. Rumelt delves into the hallmarks of effective strategy and the common pitfalls that lead to poor strategic decisions. He uses real-world examples to illustrate how good strategy involves identifying the key issues and developing a coherent action plan to address them. The book is both a critique of the current state of strategic thinking and a guide for creating better strategies. Top quote: "The most basic idea of strategy is the application of strength against weakness."

32. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

Goodreads rating:  3.95 Pages:  242

Daniel H. Pink is an acclaimed author and former speechwriter for The White House. With a background in law and business, Pink has written several bestselling books on the changing world of work, motivation, and behavior. His work often draws on social science research to challenge conventional wisdom and provide fresh insights. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us challenges traditional notions of motivation that rely on rewards and punishments, commonly referred to as the "carrot and stick" approach. Pink argues that these methods are outdated and that true motivation comes from intrinsic factors—autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Pink explores the science behind what drives us and presents a new framework for understanding motivation. He explains that people are more motivated by internal desires to direct their own lives, improve their skills, and contribute to a greater cause. Pink supports his arguments with a wealth of research from psychology, economics, and sociology, and provides practical advice for individuals and organizations to foster a more motivated and productive environment.

Top quote:  "Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives."

33. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Goodreads rating : 4.13 Pages : 452

Robert Greene is an author and speaker known for his books on strategy, power, and seduction. With a degree in classical studies and a varied career that spans several industries, Greene has become a prominent figure in the self-help and business strategy genres. His works are often characterized by their in-depth historical analysis and practical insights. The 48 Laws of Power is a complete guide to understanding and wielding power. Drawing on historical examples from a wide range of fields, including politics, war, and business, Greene distills centuries of knowledge into 48 concise laws designed to help you navigate the complexities of power dynamics. This book explains the tactics and strategies used by powerful figures throughout history. Each law is accompanied by historical anecdotes and practical advice on how to apply the principles in various aspects of life. The 48 Laws of Power has been both praised and criticized for its candid and sometimes ruthless approach to achieving and maintaining power. Top quote: "When you show yourself to the world and display your talents, you naturally stir all kinds of resentment, envy, and other manifestations of insecurity... you cannot spend your life worrying about the petty feelings of others."

Remember, reading is fundamental

Perhaps because it’s also a leisure activity, it can be hard to think of reading the best business books as part of your entrepreneurial journey. In a fast-paced, digital world, a leisurely activity like reading can seem like a waste of time⁠—but this just isn’t true.

Reading is exercise for your mind. We’d never think of jogging or lifting weights as being a “waste of time” for an athlete, and reading shouldn’t be viewed as a waste of time for entrepreneurs.

Reading is learning : it helps us destress, while also nurturing skills in communication, problem solving, and creative thinking that are absolutely necessary in building and growing your own business.

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Best business books FAQ

What should i read for business.

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t by Jim Collins 
• The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business  by Clayton M. Christensen
• First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham

Do business books work?

Yes, business books work. If you choose the right book for your reading needs, you can find a business book to help you achieve your next goal. Books can help you develop market leadership skills, build high performance teams, and so much more. 

Which one book should every entrepreneur read?

Every entrepreneur should read Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.

Is it good to read business books?

Yes, it’s good to read business books. You can find inspiration and motivation, gain valuable insights, and learn new skills through reading business books.

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Your Guide to the 10 Best Business Books of All Time

For some people, the process of learning ends with the school. But if you want to continue to grow and better yourself, having a consistent reading habit can help you keep your mind sharp and develop the skills you need to make your next move.

Let’s dive right in!

How Reading Fuels Success

Many wildly successful people tout the benefits of reading and claim that this one habit is crucial to getting them where they are today.

Take a look:

• Warren Buffett spends 80% of his time reading.
• Bill Gates reads about 50 books each year.
• Mark Zuckerberg reads a book every two weeks.
• Oprah Winfrey calls books her “path to personal freedom.”
• Mark Cuban reads for three hours a day.

So, why exactly do successful people from Wall Street to Silicon Valley dedicate so much time to reading?

Here are a few of the top reasons:

• Learning new skills
• Discovering how business people see the world
• Expanding your worldview and knowledge of different industries
• Finding inspiration when obstacles seem overwhelming

Reading helps you keep your mind sharp, explore new solutions to old problems, and learn firsthand from experts. In other words, reading allows you to continue learning long after you’ve completed school or formal training.

If you’re convinced, but you don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered!

Let’s take a look at the best business books to get you started. Then, we’ll break this must-read list down into different categories to help you decide where to begin.

Top 10 Business Books

Here’s our ultimate list of the top 10 business books you should dig into:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
• Deep Work by Cal Newport
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel
• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Now, let’s break these down into categories so you’ll have an idea of where to start.

Best Business Books for Beginners

Here are two beginner-friendly books to add to your reading list. They’ll show you what a business mindset is all about and prove the value of working smarter.

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad has become the top personal finance book of all time. Kiyosaki shares the story of growing up with two fatherly influences — his own and his close friend’s “rich dad.”

Kiyosaki explains how each of these men shaped the way he thinks about money and investing. He pulls the curtain back on the expected financial misconceptions that keep people from reaching their income potential. He also shares his journey and shows the power of making your money work for you.

2. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Nike might be a global icon today, but it took a lot of hard work to get it there. In his book Shoe Dog , Nike co-founder Phil Knight talks about launching his startup after business school with $50 he borrowed from a friend.

Knight’s funny, personable, and unfiltered self shines through in his memoir and talks about how he came to choose the unconventional path of the entrepreneur’s life. Readers will get to know Knight like never before and walk away inspired by his journey and empowered with his hard-earned wisdom on entrepreneurship.

Best Business Books for Managers

Knowing how to do your job well is one thing, and learning how to manage a team of others is another.

Here are some of the best leadership books to learn how to create productive relationships at work and get your team through tough times and successes.

3. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz is one of the most respected entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. In The Hard Thing About Hard Things , Horowitz pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth about what it’s like to lead a successful business through challenging times.

Horowitz’s book contains essential advice for any business leader, wrapped up in his no-nonsense writing style with some trademark references from the life of a rap fanatic. It’s a must-read for beginners and veterans alike, and it’s especially well-suited to those transitioning to tough times with challenging obstacles.

4. Deep Work by Cal Newport

Professor Cal Newport teaches computer science at Georgetown University. He coined the term “deep work” and explains how modern business perks like open offices and distractions such as social media get in the way of high-quality work.

In his book Deep Work , Newport highlights the significant negative impact distractions have on working well. He wraps in several memorable stories that show the importance of crafting a better workspace in a distracted world and offers surprising advice, such as the value of boredom.

5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s New York Times bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 30 million copies worldwide since first published in 1936. Despite being the oldest book on the list, it’s one of the most well-known business books ever written. Carnegie’s advice continues to stand the test of time.

As a manager, you need to sell your ideas and business changes to your team members. Carnegie teaches you a simple yet effective technique built on good habits for communicating with people and winning others over to your way of thinking without burning bridges.

Best Business Books for Starting and Scaling a Business

Starting and scaling a business is no small feat, and your journey along the way will certainly be exciting.

Here are the best business books for navigating funding , starting a business, and scaling to success.

6. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

One of the first problems entrepreneurs face is finding and sustaining that feeling of inspiration that moves others. Simon Sinek has been on a mission to find out what makes some organizations innovative and influential and find a way to help you feel more inspired at work.

In Start with Why , Sinek shows you how leaders ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. and Steve Jobs found success because they were rooted in their “why.” He builds a Golden Circle framework that enables you to use the same process to build a business that inspires others.

7. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Keeping the inspiration alive in the early days can be challenging, and there’s nothing like bad habits that can get in between you and success.

Author and entrepreneur James Clear believes that the problem isn’t you. Instead, it’s your system. In Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Break Bad Habits and Build Good Ones , Clear gives you a proven system you can use every day to improve your decision-making, develop better habits, and overcome a lack of willpower.

By creating an environment for success, you don’t have to rely on mustering motivation every day. Clear breaks down complex ideas into simple and actionable recommendations, and he helps you master the small actions that build good habits and lead to significant results in the end.

8. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

If you’re looking for a practical and optimistic book to get your creative juices flowing, pick up Peter Thiel’s Zero to One. Peter Thiel is the co-founder of PayPal , and in his book, he outlines his thoughts and insights on how to build the future you want to see.

It’s a quick read, and you can get through the book in a day or two. However, it’s still full of inspirational stories from Thiel’s time at PayPal and other pioneering founders like Bill Gates. You can use his “Seven Questions Every Business Must Answer” to test and perfect your ideas and processes.

Best Business Books for Small Business Owners

Small business owners face unique challenges, but their goals are the same: build a thriving business , not just survive.

Here are the best books for small business owners ready to take their operation to the next level.

9. Good to Great by Jim Collins

Jim Collins began his journey to writing Good to Great with one question: “Why do some businesses last and others don’t?” He assembled a team to study elite companies that lasted longer than 15 years and built success.

In his book, Collins outlines the facets of greatness, including “Level 5 Leaders” and “A Culture of Discipline.” It’s well-researched and well-written and offers practical advice for creating a thriving business.

10. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Like How to Win Friends and Influence People , Think and Grow Rich has been around since the 1930s and offers insights that stand the test of time. It’s full of timeless wisdom and actionable advice to help you get what you want out of life.

Napoleon Hill demonstrates the power of your mindset and outlines methods to deal with personal obstacles such as self-doubt and laziness. Fans of the book recommend working Hill’s exercises while reading the book and revisiting it multiple times to get the most out of it.

If you want to take your career and your business to the next level, any of these bestsellers can help you get there. Books like the ones on our list can help you see into the minds of successful individuals from the business world and learn from their hard-earned wisdom.

This list is an excellent starting point for those of you wanting to sharpen your business skills. However, there are plenty of insightful business books beyond these that can help you dive deeper into any topics that interest you.

Now, we’d love to hear from you. What business books did you enjoy the most? What titles should we add to our list and why? Let us know in the comments section below.

Maddy Osman creates engaging content with SEO best practices for marketing thought leaders and agencies that have their hands full with clients and projects. Learn more about her process and experience on her website, The Blogsmith and read her latest articles on Twitter: @MaddyOsman .

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Great list (although also some fairly old examples).

One that you’re missing, which I’d clearly also recommend is “How to F*ck Up Your Startup: The Science Behind Why 90% of Companies Fail – and How You Can Avoid It”

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16 Best Business Strategy Books to Read

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: August 28, 2022

You discovered our list of the best business strategy books .

Business strategy books are guides to developing strategic corporate plans. These books cover topics like scaling operating, marketing growth, outpacing competitors, and achieving longevity. People read these books for insights on how to create and improve businesses.

These books are a type of business books and are similar to CEO books,   project management books , marketing books and books on startups .

This post contains:

• the best business strategy books of all time
• top books on business strategy
• strategic management books
• corporate strategy books
• strategic planning books

Let’s get to it!

List of business strategy books

Here is a list of some of the best books about business strategy, with both new releases and best sellers.

1. Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David and Greg Dinkin

Your Next Five Moves is one of the best new strategic planning books. The book challenges readers to think like chess grandmasters and anticipate chains of events. The author urges business strategists to plan their next moves in succession instead of treating each as an individual decision. The book also gives advice on clarifying company missions, developing team building skills , and gaining the upper hand against powerful players.

Notable Quote: “Those who have a system for making better decisions win. Some decisions are quick, while others take time. You need a specific methodology to attack any issue, the same way a chess master knows how to play any opening or defend against one once the match starts.”

Buy Your Next Five Moves .

2. Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt

Good Strategy Bad Strategy is one of the best books on strategic thinking. Richard Rumelt dissects effective strategies and points out qualities that make these plans succeed. The author also identifies the markings of poor plans, and gives tips for spotting bad strategies. The book also covers topics such as leverage, proximate objectives, and chain link systems. Each section contains stories from companies like Apple, Wal-Mart, Toyota, and Roche to serve as examples. Good Strategy Bad Strategy is a field guide for crafting and evaluating strategic systems. The book helps readers see past the fluff and draw up better gameplans.

Notable Quote: “Good strategy works by focusing energy and resources on one, or a very few, pivotal objectives whose accomplishment will lead to a cascade of favorable outcomes.”

Buy Good Strategy Bad Strategy .

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3. Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works by by A. G. Lafley, Roger L. Martin et al

Playing to Win describes how A. G. Lafley drastically improved Procter & Gamble’s sales and profitability by basing operational strategy on five key questions:

• What is our winning aspiration?
• Where will we play?
• How will we win?
• What capabilities must we have in place to win?
• What management systems are required to support our choices?

The book shows how this repeatable method can benefit other companies and business leaders. Playing to Win provides a practical formula for strengthening your band and organization through a series of educated and deliberate choices.

Notable Quote: “Strategy needn’t be mysterious. Conceptually, it is simple and straightforward. It requires clear and hard thinking, real creativity, courage, and personal leadership.”

Buy Playing to Win .

4. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry I Porras

Built to Last examines the characteristics and behaviors of innovative and long-lasting companies. Drawing on extensive research, the authors analyze the factors that lead companies to survive and thrive through tough times and competitive landscapes. The book compares companies like Procter & Gamble, Walt Disney, and Marriott with lesser competitors and outlines the keys to industry leaders’ success and longevity. Built to Last covers topics such as setting goals, building a cult-like culture, and managing change, and lays out a framework for creating enduring enterprises.

Notable Quote: “Visionary companies pursue a cluster of objectives, of which making money is only one—and not necessarily the primary one.”

Buy Built to Last .

5. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

Good to Great is one of the most popular books on business strategy. A companion to Built to Last, this bestseller examines what qualities differentiate mediocre companies from industry legends. The book hones in on concepts like leadership competencies, cultures of discipline, and technology, and shows how each factor helps organizations excel. Good to Great is a lesson on how to not only survive in the business world, but dominate it for extended periods of time.

Notable Quote: “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”

Buy Good to Great .

6. Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

While many business strategy books explain how to dominate crowded markets, Blue Ocean Strategy takes the opposite approach. The book advocates for finding and seizing untapped opportunities. In other words, the best way to eliminate competition is to pursue a lesser-traveled path. The authors demonstrate how to identify previously neglected needs and generate new demand. Blue Ocean Strategy lays out a system for achieving this result, complete with frameworks and analytical tools.

Notable Quote: “Value innovation requires companies to orient the whole system toward achieving a leap in value for both buyers and themselves.”

Buy Blue Ocean Strategy .

7. The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life by Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff

The Art of Strategy is one of the best business strategy books for beginners. Drawing on the principles of game theory , the book explains how to guess and prepare for competitors’ next moves. Through mathematical and scientific logic, the authors show how to find patterns in seemingly random occurrences and illogical behavior. The book is rich with case studies and concrete examples that make game theory easy to understand and applicable to a wide range of situations.

Notable Quote: “It may not be enough to play a game well—you must also be sure you are playing the right game.”

Buy The Art of Strategy .

8. Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors by Michael E. Porter

Two decades after its initial publication, Competitive Strategy is still relevant. Michael E. Porter shows readers how to sum up and surpass rivals by performing in-depth industry analyses and taking appropriate actions. The book consists of three sections: General Analytical Techniques, Generic Industry Environments, and Strategic Decisions. Each chapter examines a different aspect of studying and challenging opposition. The prose is dense, but the exploration of the topic is exhaustive. Competitive Strategy reads like a market advantage encyclopedia.

Notable Quote: “From my examination of many declining industries, the firms that seem to be the most objective about managing the decline process are those that also participate in the substitute industry. They have a clearer perception concerning the prospects of the substitute product and the threat of decline.”

Buy Competitive Strategy .

9. Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr

Measure What Matters shows how businesses can achieve impressive growth by selecting smart objectives and key results, or OKRs. The book breaks down the process of choosing, tracking, and accomplishing goals through best practices like committing to priorities, aligning teams, and monitoring progress. Chapters illustrate these principles with examples from leading organizations like Google, The Gates Foundation, and Intel.

Notable Quote: “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.”

Buy Measure What Matters .

10. The Innovator’s Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christensen

The Innovator’s Dilemma offers a new approach to business strategy. Instead of advocating for following tried-and-tested formulas, the book insists that experimentation is often the best strategy. Clayton Christensen argues that organizations cannot always rely on proven methods. Companies need to forge new paths to remain relevant and competitive. The Innovator’s Dilemma illustrates this concept by sharing anecdotes of triumphant and tragic companies while offering advice for navigating disruptive change.

Notable Quote: “To succeed consistently, good managers need to be skilled not just in choosing, training, and motivating the right people for the right job, but in choosing, building, and preparing the right organization for the job as well.”

Buy The Innovator’s Dilemma .

11. HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Strategy by Harvard Business Review

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Strategy collects the ten best Harvard Business Reviews essays on business strategy into one helpful anthology. The book explores topics such as clarifying the company mission, standing out amongst competitors, and measuring strategies with Balanced Scorecards. This collection contains valuable insight from industry experts, including the authors of top selling business strategy books.

Notable Quote: “Operational effectiveness and strategy are both essential to superior performance, which, after all, is the primary goal of any enterprise. But they work in very different ways.”

Buy HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Strategy .

12. Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen by Rita McGrath

Seeing Around Corners concentrates on inflection points, or major shifts in industry. Rita McGrath explains how to predict these changes and prepare for them. Changes in customer needs or expectations, competitor evolution, and technological advancement can shake up market rankings. Smart companies expect these challenges and are ready to adapt. The book outlines techniques for anticipating and overcoming industry curveballs. Seeing Around Corners is a guide to disruption-proofing your business.

Notable Quote: “The very concept of “industry” is an artificial categorization. Often the most important competition any business will face is from entrants who are not hamstrung by assumptions about what their “industry” expects of them.”

Buy Seeing Around Corners .

13. Your Strategy Needs a Strategy: How to Choose and Execute the Right Approach by Martin Reeves, Knut Haanaes, et al

Your Strategy Needs a Strategy is a masterclass in business plan execution. The book gives readers advice on how to select the best course of action and bring plans to fruition.

It breaks strategy down into five main categories:

• Be the Orchestrator

The book analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and recommends the ideal circumstances and conditions for each. Your Strategy Needs a Strategy shows readers how to align strategy with the business environment and choose the best-suited approach.

Notable Quote: “Strategy is, in essence, problem solving, and the best approach depends upon the specific problem at hand. Your environment dictates your approach to strategy.”

Buy Your Strategy Needs a Strategy .

14. The Invincible Company: How to Constantly Reinvent Your Organization with Inspiration From the World’s Best Business Models by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur, et al

The Invincible Company analyzes how winning corporations are able to disrupt industries and dominate markets. The authors examine the practices of leading companies like Microsoft, IKEA, and Amazon and explore successful business models throughout history. The book includes many visuals and charts, as well as tools like strategy frameworks, innovation metrics, and culture maps. The Invincible Company is a blueprint for becoming an industry titan.

Notable Quote: “The Invincible Company explores the future, while excelling at exploiting the present.”

Buy The Invincible Company .

15. Competing in the Age of AI: Strategy and Leadership When Algorithms and Networks Run the World by Marco Iansiti and Karim R. Lakhani

Competing in the Age of AI asserts that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the business landscape. To keep up with the algorithm revolution, business leaders must employ new approaches. This book outlines techniques to incorporate AI into operational strategy. Competing in the Age of AI shows businesses how to come out ahead in a world where machine learning increasingly affects business’ bottom lines.

Notable Quote: “We are moving from an era of core competencies, differing from firm to firm and embedded deep in each organization, to an age shaped by data and analytics, powered by algorithms and hosted in the computing cloud for anyone to use.”

Buy Competing in the Age of AI .

16. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Hooked lays out strategies for generating market popularity and user loyalty. The book explains how to design products that consumers will use repeatedly. Nir Eyal relies on case studies and scientific research to explore the nature of habit. Hooked suggests steps to make customers return, remain active, and keep singing product praises.

Notable Quote: “To change behavior, products must ensure the user feels in control. People must want to use the service, not feel they have to.”

Buy Hooked .

Books on business strategy provide a roadmap for achieving goals and favorable results. Devising a foolproof plan is not easy, and there are many factors to consider. Luckily, there is no shortage of experts willing to share experiences and observations to help current and future leaders pick smart and sustainable paths.

For more reading suggestions, check out our lists of books on innovation , books on creativity , leadership books , small business books and  management books .

We also have a list of books on product design , books on growth hacking and customer service books .

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FAQ: Business strategy books

Here are answers to common questions about business strategy books.

What are business strategy books?

Business strategy books are guides that help leaders form actionable plans. These books cover topics like analyzing competition, scaling growth, and overcoming industry disruption. The purpose of these books is to help leaders prepare for likely developments.

What are the best business strategy books of all time?

Some of the best business strategy books of all time include Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt, Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, and Competitive Strategy by Michael E. Porter.

Why should you read books on business strategy?

Books on business strategy help companies anticipate potential challenges and take reasonable precautions. These books examine corporate operations from multiple standpoints and enable leaders to make smart choices that lead to sustained success.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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The 30 Best Business Books of 2023

Published: May 22, 2023

When did you last invest time or money into your personal or business development?

Reading business books will improve your mindset, teach you new skills, or allow you to think outside the box. It’s also a great way to become the best version of yourself and inspire others to do the same.

There’s no better time to curl up in a comfortable armchair with your favorite pet in your lap, drink a cup of tea, and dive into some of the best business books of 2023.

Table of Contents

The Benefits of Reading Business Books

Best business books for startups, best business leadership books, best business management books, best books on business strategy, best books about dei in business, best innovation books, best business books for agencies.

No matter how successful you’ve been in your business or job, how much time you spent in school, or how amazing your team might be, you’re bound to face challenges as you move through your career.

Business books — whether they be about starting a business, leading or managing a business, or improving your business — can help you see the problems ahead and create strategies to overcome them.

Most of these books are written by people who have experienced challenges in the business world and lived to tell the tales. Who better to learn from than someone who has already beaten whatever you’re dealing with (or will deal with in the future)?

There are books for every stage of your career, and here are our favorite reads for those interested in startups, management, DEI, and more.

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If there's any silver lining to the economic turmoil we’ve faced, it's that all that unrest has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs to bring new solutions to market. Starting a new business has a high failure rate — but with the right books, you can increase your chances of surviving.

1. Trajectory: Startup: Ideation to Product/Market Fit by Dave Parker

• Rating: 4.7
• Available on Amazon

This book promises to remove the mystery from the startup process. It offers a path from ideation to launch and revenue in six months with easy-to-follow tasks and timeframes.

What we love: Parker provides a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. You can learn how to turn your ideas into successful products that prospective buyers will love.

Best for: Entrepreneurs

2. The Minimalist Entrepreneur: How Great Founders Do More with Less by Sahil Lavingia

• Rating: 4.5

The Minimalist Entrepreneur is written for a new generation of founders who would rather build great companies than big ones. Lavingia uses his experience building his company, Gumroad , to help entrepreneurs make smart investments, manage remote workers and gig workers, develop and release products quickly and successfully, and become profitable.

What we love: The idea of achieving more with fewer resources is highly desirable in this digital age.

Best for: Startups with lower budgets and few resources

3. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

• Rating: 4.6

When starting out, you might get caught up spending months building your product or service — only to find that no one wants to buy it. The Lean Startup will help you create a product that customers want (and are happy to pay for) quickly by identifying and testing key assumptions early on. Why waste valuable time, energy, and money when you could avoid the hassle?

What we love: Ries is a founder and CTO of startups. His practical guidance comes from experience and true customer feedback.

Best for: Startups and entrepreneurs

4. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

Want to start a business without capital? This is the book for you.

Guillebeau provides a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs on how to identify a profitable niche, create a simple business plan, and launch a business with little financial risk. If you’ve got a passion, Guillebeau believes you can turn it into a business idea.

What we love: Guillebeau emphasizes the role of passion rather than building businesses solely to make money.

Best for: Freelancers, entrepreneurs, graduates

Whether your title implies it or not, everyone can benefit from learning to be a leader. Leadership isn’t just about managing others. It’s about managing yourself and inspiring those around you to be the best possible versions of themselves.

5. Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact by Jenn Lim

• Rating: 4.3

Named a Top Business Book of 2021 by Forbes, Beyond Happiness draws on the science of happiness to show readers that true joy comes from living your true purpose. The book shows company leadership how to help individuals align their purpose with the company mission.

What we love: Beyond Happiness is a refreshing read with a great perspective. We love the emphasis on connection and sustainable contentment.

Best for: Company leadership

6. Trusted Leader: 8 Pillars That Drive Results by David Horsager

Horsager uses his research and experience to teach the Eight Pillars of Trust — clarity, compassion, character, competency, commitment, connection, contribution, and consistency.

He sees trust as an asset and believes that you lose influence when you don't have it. Readers will learn strategies to increase alignment, overcome attrition, and clarify their priorities.

What we love: This book is full of practical and actionable insights. The eight fundamental principles keep the teachings succinct and enriching.

7. Minority Leader: How to Lead from the Outside and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams

• Rating: 4.8

With a mixture of memoir and instruction, Abrams argues that knowing your own passion is the key to success. Minority Leader speaks to anyone who exists beyond the structure of traditional systemic power and encourages them to make a difference.

What we love: It’s no surprise that Minority Leader is one of the highest-rated books in this roundup. Abrams considers minorities and their challenges, giving the topic a unique perspective.

Best for: Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds

8. Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success by Gary Vaynerchuk

For too long, leaders have relied on "hard skills" to make decisions and ignored the importance of emotional intelligence. In his sixth business book, Vaynerchuk focuses on soft skills like self-awareness and curiosity to accelerate business success.

What we love: High levels of emotional intelligence are crucial for business success. We love Vaynerchuk’s unique perspective and focus on soft skills.

Best for: Leaders, entrepreneurs, graduates

9. MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins

At 688 pages, Tony Robbins’ MONEY Master the Game is the longest book in this roundup, but it covers a lot. That includes asset allocation, diversification, tax planning, and how to manage risks.

What we love: Robbins interviewed over 50 of the world's top investors to uncover their strategies for achieving success in the financial markets.

Best for: Leaders and entrepreneurs

Be the manager you’ve always wanted to work for with these books on business management.

10. Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People by Renee Evenson

Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People promises to create a more harmonious work environment by learning how to deal with difficult personalities — whether they're employees, colleagues, or bosses.

In this book, you’ll learn thirty common personality traits and behaviors. Then, you'll get the best phrases to use with each. Evenson also outlines a five-step process for moving from conflict to resolution. This book will help you stay calm and diffuse conflict in the workplace.

What we love: Business is all about relationships, and building better relationships is key. We love Evenson’s vision and approach to resolving conflict.

Best for: Leaders

11. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo

You’ve been promoted to management… Now what? After struggling as a brand new manager at the age of 25, Zhuo now believes that great managers are made — not born.

This field guide provides insights on what it takes to be a great manager, how to build trust and rapport with your team, what to focus on in the first few months, and how to deal with the increased responsibility. This book is everything Zhuo wished she had known when she accepted her promotion.

What we love: Zhuo shares practical advice and leads with examples through her own stories.

Best for: New managers

12. Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman

As a manager, you have two options for how you’d like to lead your team. You could be the genius that everyone turns to in a bind — or you can unlock the genius in each of your employees.

Multipliers is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller that helps you take the latter approach. Become the manager who makes everyone around them smarter, more capable, and more effective. You can achieve amazing results when you tap into the multiplier mindset.

What we love: Multipliers encourages leaders to amplify the intelligence and capabilities of their teams, leading to increased productivity and success.

13. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Discover practical and effective strategies for negotiating in both personal and professional contexts. Voss stresses the importance of empathy, active listening, and building rapport in negotiations.

What we love: As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Chris Voss knows what it takes to be adequately persuasive for optimal negotiation.

Best for: Leaders and salespeople

14. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Read How to Win Friends & Influence People and expect to improve your interpersonal relationships in your business and personal life. Carnegie gives you the tools to make people like you and become more influential while gracefully handling difficult situations.

What we love: This book will help you endlessly in both your personal and professional life.

When was the last time you took a bird’s eye view of your business, got out of the daily grind, and focused on your organization’s strategy?

15. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant

What if the most important skill is no longer to think and learn but to r ethink and unlearn ? Grant argues that too many of us favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt.

We entertain opinions that make us feel good, rather than ideas that make us think hard. Rather than surrounding yourself with people who agree with our opinions and conclusions, it’s time to look for those who challenge our thought processes.

Grant invites us to release the views that no longer serve us and position ourselves for excellence at work.

What we love: Grant offers insightful strategies for improving critical thinking skills. Expect to have your assumptions challenged so you can foster a growth mindset.

16. Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David

What if you approached business like a grandmaster in chess? Bet-David invites business strategists to plan five moves ahead — the sweet spot of thoughtful strategy and swift action. Readers will learn to master knowing themselves, building the right team, crafting a strategy to scale, and making power plays.

What we love: Your Next Five Moves offers practical, actionable advice for developing a winning business strategy, backed by real-world examples and insights from successful entrepreneurs.

17. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

How’s this for strategy? If you’re lucky, you’ll live to be around 80 years old. That means that you’ve got 4,000 weeks on this earth. Knowing that your time is finite, what will you do with it? How will you spend your days?

Will you cram in as much work as possible — even if it’s unnecessary — or will you fill your time with what matters? This book offers a fresh perspective on managing your time and, more importantly, how to strategize your life.

What we love: We all have a limited time on earth, and Burkeman offers a thought-provoking perspective on time management. Read this book, and you can expect to make the most of your time by prioritizing what truly matters in life.

Best for: Entrepreneurs, graduates, and leaders

18. Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

Blue Ocean Strategy separates markets with little to no competition (blue oceans) from crowded, highly competitive markets (red oceans) and advises that businesses can create new blue oceans by focusing on innovation instead of blending into existing markets.

What we love: This book offers case studies and examples of successful blue ocean strategies, as well as practical tools and frameworks.

Best for: Entrepreneurs and business strategists

19. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Clear introduces the concept of "atomic habits," which are tiny changes in behavior that can significantly impact long-term success. He argues that the key to changing behavior lies in focusing on small, incremental improvements that compound over time.

What we love: Clear interviews business leaders in Atomic Habits . However, the lessons learned can be valuable for anyone in the business world. You’ll find practical tips that you can apply in your day-to-day life.

Best for: Entrepreneurs and leaders

20. Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari

• Rating: 4.4

It’s no secret that lots of us struggle to pay attention in today's fast-paced world. Stolen Focus offers practical solutions for developing deeper thinking skills. Hari explores how technology and constant distractions (like text messages and emails) make it difficult to focus for extended periods.

What we love: Stolen Focus was voted Business Book of the Year by Porchlight . This book is a great read for anyone in business and can transform all aspects of your life.

Best for: Anyone who wants to improve focus

21. We Can't Talk about That at Work!: How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by Mary-Frances Winters

Conversations on race, religion, and politics are happening at work. The goal should be for these conversations to take place in a way that is effective and not polarizing. In her book, Winters provides the exercises and tools to help leaders and organizations become aware of their cultural backgrounds and increase their understanding of others.

What we love about it: Winters draws on her 36 years of experience to help readers gain skills and understanding for optimal communication and conflict resolution.

Best for: All readers can benefit from Winters’ book and the included self-assessment

22. Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces by Karen Catlin

If your goal is building a more inclusive, engaging workplace, Karen Catlin’s Better Allies is the book for you. In just 282 pages you can expect to find out how you can become a better ally. And better, how you can build a creative and inclusive culture within your business.

What we love about it: Catlin has over 25 years in tech, including a role as the vice president of engineering at Adobe. During her 25 years, Catlin noticed a sharp decline in women working in tech. Catlin sets out to encourage others to become better allies.

Best for: Those in managerial positions who want to better DEI in their teams and organizations

23. Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams by Stefanie K. Johnson

It’s not uncommon for companies to create a culture where inclusivity isn’t at its core, but it should be. In her book, Johnson challenges companies to take sustainable efforts to help everyone feel engaged and included in the workplace.

Johnson’s research finds that leaders who embrace DEI have better relationships and stronger and more cohesive teams. Clearly, there’s a lot to gain from Inclusify .

What we love about it: Johnson lives and breathes inclusivity. She has experience working for some of the biggest companies in the world.

Best for: Team leaders looking to improve workplace relationships and team cohesion

24. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Explore how cultural differences impact international business in The Culture Map. Throughout the book, you will decode the nuances of language and cultural expression through research, anecdotes, and examples.

What we love about it: The special focus on international communication.

Best for: International businesses or businesses thinking about expansion

25. Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis

Jarvis believes that staying small has advantages. He shares his own experiences and those of other successful entrepreneurs in Company of One .

He demonstrates how smaller businesses can thrive in today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape through greater flexibility, increased autonomy, and the ability to focus on delivering exceptional products or services to a niche audience.

What we love: Jarvis challenges the traditional idea of business growth. Company of One encourages entrepreneurs to build sustainable, profitable businesses that prioritize quality over quantity.

Best for: Startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs

26. Freelance Your Way to Freedom: How to Free Yourself from the Corporate World and Build the Life of Your Dreams by Alex Fasulo

The book also has real-life examples, practical tips, and advice for getting your mindset geared for success.

What we love: Alex Fasulo has more than eight year’s experience working in the freelance gig economy. She made her first million on Fiverr and has since shared her freelancing insights on social media.

Best for: Freelancers, graduates, and entrepreneurs

27. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

Sometimes staying small is advantageous, but why? Clayton Christensen argues that established companies fail to innovate, allowing smaller, more agile competitors to disrupt their industries.

Christensen provides reasons for this and encourages companies to focus less on optimizing existing products and processes. Instead, he inspires the reader to pursue new and untested ideas.

What we love: This classic business book explores why successful companies often fail to innovate and adapt to disruptive technologies and offers strategies for avoiding this dilemma.

28. $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi

This is the comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and business owners on how to create irresistible offers that customers can't refuse. Hormozi draws on his own experience as a successful entrepreneur.

You will also learn how to craft compelling offers that drive sales and growth. Plus, you'll find out what it takes to charge what you’re worth and have the courage to ask for it.

What we love: In just 161 pages, Hormozi teaches you how to price products and services so that your customers can’t resist saying yes.

Best for: Entrepreneurs and agency owners

29. Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow

Warrillow provides a step-by-step guide to transforming a service-based business into a product-based one. This book guides you in identifying your agency's unique selling proposition and creating a repeatable sales process.

Plus, this book offers insights into building a management team that can run the business without the owner's constant involvement, making it attractive to potential buyers.

What we love: This book offers advice to agency owners on how to create a sellable and scalable business.

30. T he New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use Social Media, Online Video, Mobile Applications, Blogs, News Releases, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly by David Meerman Scott

Learn how to navigate the marketing and public relations landscape, which is essential and inevitable for every business. Scott emphasizes the importance of using digital tools to engage with customers directly, build brand awareness, and drive revenue.

What we love: This book offers practical advice on creating compelling content that resonates with customers, leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) to improve visibility, and measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Stocking Your Library

If you’re ready to up your business game and be the best you possible, it’s time to update your reading list and get started. There’s a world of wisdom in these books, and it’s yours for the taking.

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More From Forbes

The ten best business books of 2023.

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Which business books should you read in preparation for next year? My top 10 list.

Getting ready for 2024? There is no better way to do so than picking up a good book.

For the third consecutive year, I have put together a list of my favorite business books from the last 12 months. They cover a wide range of subjects including geeks, failure, and cycling (yes, that’s a business book, and a great one). But they all have one thing in common—they are fun to read. That is something that matters when you are devoting your downtime to reading.

One more important point before you begin: this is a list, not a ranking. All books I have included are excellent and I do not recommend any of them more highly than the others.

1 Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most

by Adam Alter—Are you worried about AI? If so, you are not alone, most managers are . Chances are that you look at this primarily as a technical challenge, but the much more substantial shift comes when companies adjust their processes and structures . The problem is inertia. It’s very hard to break away from old habits, not just when it comes to AI. This is where Alter’s book offers help through a systematic procedure that he calls friction audit. Solutions to overcome unhelpful emotions, patterns of thought, and behaviors are often hidden in plain sight. Even though this is not a book about AI, it is one you need to read to adjust to this transformative technology.

2 The Geek Way: The Radical Mindset that Drives Extraordinary Results

by Andrew McAfee—“There are kids who immediately take to the violin or chess or fishing. I took to computers.” Clearly McAfee is the person to tell this story. It’s funny with a self-depreciating humour but at the same time profound. This starts with the definition of the word. In case you wonder about the original understanding of the word geek, it was a fool—performers of circus side shows doing crazy things like biting off the head of a chicken. In the 1980s, the meaning changed and geeks was used to refer to those kids who were really into computers. In a way that’s still true, the main change being that they now run the world. McAfee takes it one step further. For him geeks are obsessive mavericks. This book is about them.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 3 the right kind of wrong: the science of failing well.

by Amy Edmondson—Learning for failure is not exactly a new idea but the distinction between different types of mistakes is. In tune with her well known research on psychological safety, Edmondson argues that the starting point for good failure is openness. This enables organizations to create systems minimizing unproductive failure while embracing the mistakes that fuel progress. The opening story is a good illustration what she has in mind. When the data she collected for her PhD showed a correlation between prescription errors and teams working together well, her hypothesis collapsed. How can strong teams make more mistakes? Her apparent failure spurred Edmondson to think differently and eventually collect additional data that helped her to show that strong teams felt safe to report mistakes. What seemed like a failure in her research turned out to be the inspiration for an entirely new idea.

4 Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems

by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss—I don’t usually like change management books. After you read three, they all seem to be the same. Correction, it is usually sufficient to familiarize yourself with Kotter’s 8 step model. But this is not a typical change management book. It’s a very hands-on, “here is a problem” and “how do we fix it” manual. The style and set-up make it fun to read. The chapters for example are named after days of the week, getting you to a rewarding final chapter titled “Take the Weekend Off”. Who doesn’t like that? Besides the style, it is the ease in how this book can be turned into action that is appealing.

5 The High Performance Mindset: Race Across America - What we can learn from the toughest bike race in the world

by Kurt Matzler—another type of book that I am usually not keen on is leadership books. And once again I have to make an exception here. At times you suffer with the author when he battles extreme heat in Death Valley or crosses the endless plains of the Midwest on a quest to race across America. But as he explains, when we know our "why," we can endure almost any "how"! What makes this book so appealing is that with this and other insights, they rest on the author’s unique background. He is one of the 40 most cited strategy professors and also an athlete. In the book he brings the two elements together, taking us through different situations in the race and connecting them to a series of insights for leaders.

6 Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work

by Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, Emily Field—Are middle managers a cost cutting opportunity? As the authors—three McKinsey consultants—admit, this idea has not been entirely foreign to them in the past. It was the pandemic that made them realize that pastoral care offered by middle managers is not easily measured but incredibly valuable. Baby boomers continue to retire and labour shortage will get worse. That’s where companies with a strong layer of middle managers will have an edge. And unless executives have infinite time, they will rely on them to link to the front-line, translating strategy and feeding great ideas upwards. The book is a celebration of those who had long been underappreciated and about the best way companies can make them excel.

7 Same as Ever. A Guide To What Never Changes

by Morgan Housel—With all of us worried about how to adapt to constant change, this book is a great reminder that some things stay the same. When someone lamented to Warren Buffett in late 2009 how bad things were, the Sage of Omaha asked “Do you know the bestselling candy bar in 1962?” “No” his friend answered. “Snickers,” said Warren. “And do you know what the best selling candy bar is today?” You guessed it right, it is still Snickers. It’s worth figuring out what remains the same, as this creates great opportunities. Housel shows you how to do just that.

8 How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors Behind Every Successful Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration

by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner—I grew up playing with Lego. So a book with a chapter titled “Find your Lego. Big is best built from small” was always a contender for my best books of 2023 list. But there is obviously more to this. A staggering 92% of all megaprojects come in over budget or behind schedule, or both. It’s easy to come up with examples such as Berlin Airport, Boston’s Big Dig, or the UK’s HS2 railway plans. Flyvbjerg is often regarded as “the world’s leading megaproject expert.” In a book full of engaging stories, he shares candid advice. My favourite: plan slow, act fast.

9 Choose Your Enemies Wisely. Business Planning For The Audacious Few

by Patrick Bet-David with Greg Dinkin—I disagree with the fundamental idea of this book. I don’t think that enemies are more important than allies. But this is exactly why I included the book on my list. It’s always important to see the world from a perspective which is not yours. And while this has neither been my experience nor does it match with my own observations, I can agree with the author that emotions are an overlooked aspect of business. The stories from the book also make a strong case that animosity can be one of those emotions. Bet-David and Greg Dinkin certainly live up to their promise “This is not the boring approach that most people teach”.

10 Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

by Adam Grant—The last book on my list speaks to me as an educator. On the nature versus nurture debate Grant sides with the latter. As always a masterful storyteller, Grant gets us started with some data from kindergarten teachers. Raj Chetty, an economist, found that the experience of your kindergarten teacher has a significant impact on your earnings age 25 to 27. It’s not that these teachers help kids to develop cognitive skills others cannot catch up with. The main difference to less experienced teachers is that they inspire proactive behaviour such as asking questions, more collaboration between peers, discipline, and determination. The book will help your company to build systems that nurture, as according to Grant it is never too late to discover hidden potential.

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14 Must-Read Books If You Want to Manage a Successful Business

Posted february 3, 2016 by candice landau.

If you haven’t yet built out your list of books to read this year, congratulations! The waiting has paid off because we’ve done it for you.

Below, you will find the books we’ve read, that have come highly recommended by Amazon reviewers and Young Entrepreneur Council members alike, and even by our own employees. We finish up the list with six just-published and yet-to-be published books that you should definitely keep an eye out for.

If you think we’ve missed something you thought was a great read, or essential to managing a business well, let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter.

Originals: How Nonconformists Move the World

by Adam Grant

Why you should read it: “Originals”  is a guide for leaders, individuals, employees, and teachers.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by not being able to see your original idea through to fruition, this book will help you figure out how to do it.

It will also give you the tools you need to nurture originality in those around you as well as teach you how to champion new ideas, encourage original thinking, stand up against outdated traditions, policies, and practices, speak up in defense of your ideas, build allies, and pitch an idea “startup style” (and see it through to creation).

All of this—without risking everything.

Pair this with:  “Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on It,”  and “Creativity Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration.”

The Industries of the Future

by Alec Ross

Why you should read it: Have you ever wanted to know what the future holds?

From challenges to opportunities, Alec Ross—former Senior Advisor for Innovation to the Secretary of State—reveals what might be in store. In “The Industries of the Future,”  Ross examines those fields that are most likely to shape our future, including robotics, big data, cybersecurity, genomics, and digital technology, revealing how changes in these areas will affect the markets, and our economy.

If you’re keen to get a jumpstart on understanding how we’re going to adapt to the world as it changes, as well as the questions these changes pose, you’ll have an entertaining, philosophical, and scientifically-informed companion.

Alongside his own insights, Ross incorporates insights from leaders, scientists, and other experts, to bring you a book that is aimed at giving you an understanding of how the world works now, and how it may work in the future.

Pair this with: “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future,”  and “The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies,”  and “Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future.”

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How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life

by Caroline Webb

Why you should read it:  New and recent findings in behavioral economics, psychology, and neuroscience can help us understand how to take control of our days at work.

The science-based techniques and practices discussed in this book have helped hundreds of organizations and people improve their performance, and enjoy their working life. The book is centered around seven key practices that are essential to having a good day, including: prioritizing the rights tasks; using time productively; having effective conversations; doing your best work; making a great, personal impact; resilience in the face of setbacks; and sustaining energy through it all.

Drawing on real stories, the latest research, and her own insights, Webb will teach you how to handle co-worker conflicts, deadlines, and other workplace challenges so that you can really get down to the business of enjoying your day!

Pair this with: “Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill,”  and “The Success Principles(™): How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.”

Contagious: Why Things Catch On

by Jonah Berger

Recommended by Thomas Smale,  a YEC entrepreneur and co-founder of FE International.

Why you should read it:   If you’re interested in understanding the science behind why things go viral, and why some things are more popular than others, you won’t want to miss this book.

A marketing professor at the Wharton school, Jonah Berger has spent many years studying marketing and asking why some things take off and others don’t.

Why do we talk more about certain ideas or products? What makes a blog or video go viral? Why are some stories or rumors more contagious than others?

In this book, you’ll get a crash-course on techniques you can harness to help you spread information fast. This should help you design better advertisements, craft more powerful messages, avoid making detrimental blunders, like inventing boring products, and show you how to get your idea or product to catch on.

Pair this with: “Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter: How Today’s Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves,”  and “Hooked: How to Build Habit Forming Products.”

The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs

by Kevin D. Johnson

Why you should read it:   You might be an entrepreneur, but do you really know how to think like one?

If you’re keen on joining household names like Mark Zuckerberg, you have to change the way you think. And how better to do this than by gaining an understanding of the essential beliefs, characteristics, and habits of the best known entrepreneurs?

In “The Entrepreneur Mind,”  Johnson identifies one hundred lessons every entrepreneur must learn if they’re going to succeed. He focuses on seven key areas: leadership, motivation, strategy, education, people, finance, marketing, and sales.

Through these lessons, you’ll gain insight into seemingly complex topics and develop the tools you need in order to get started running a successful business, or take things to the next level.

Pair this with: “How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.”  And then take it directly from the experts: Richard Branson’s “Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School” ; Blake Mycoskie’s “Start Something That Matters” ; and Adam Braun’s “The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change.”

The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business

by Josh Kauffman

Why you should read it: Most of us know, deep down, that being a successful entrepreneur is not about whether or not you went to business school.

That said, you might still be looking longingly into getting an MBA, thinking it will give you the skills you need in order to run a business, and put you on a fast-track to starting a world-famous company.

The reality is that many of these programs—even those run by elite schools like Harvard and Wharton—offer an outdated curriculum better suited to understanding the academic side of business models, than actually running a business.

In “The Personal MBA,”  Josh Kauffman argues that you can save thousands of dollar by skipping business school and learning everything you need to know yourself. He gets right down to business, teaching you the things that do actually matter, from marketing and sales through negotiation, operations management, systems design, and much more. In a single reading, you’ll learn what most entrepreneurs take a lifetime to learn through trial and error.

Pair this with: “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.”

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

by Cal Newport  

Why you should read it: In a world of constant distractions, the ability to focus on a demanding task is becoming increasingly rare.

If you can do it, you know how to do “deep work.” If you can’t do it, you’re a part of the struggling masses, and you’re holding yourself back from doing your best work yet.

In “Deep Work,”  author and professor Cal Newport explains the benefits of being able to work in a highly focused manner, and then provides you with all of the necessary tools to be able to transform your mind and habits so you too can develop this skill.

Pair this with: “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t,”   “Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…And Why the Rest Don’t,”  and “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.”

Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges

by Amy Cuddy

Recommended by Faithe Parker,  a YEC entrepreneur, and owner of Marbaloo Marketing.

Why you should read it: If you’ve ever wished you could have dealt with a challenging situation differently, you may be suffering from a lack of “presence.”

To achieve presence, you need to learn to access your personal power, leave anxiety behind, and face every difficult situation with confidence.

Amy Cuddy, best known for her viral TED talk about “power poses,” presents us with techniques that will help us learn to approach each situation with confidence instead of dread and fear. She also teaches us how to leave each situation with satisfaction instead of regret.

Pair this with: “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent & Lead,”  and “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”

Lean Business Planning: Get What You Want From Your Business

by Tim Berry

Why you should read it: Do you want to get focused, grow faster, and better adjust to change?

If so, you might be interested in “lean business planning,” a simple but powerful way to align your business strategy, tactics, milestones, and assumptions.

Instead of keeping your focus on a lengthy old-school business plan that really doesn’t help you manage your existing business, you’ll learn how to quickly write a business plan document you can review and adjust on a monthly basis, to reflect your ever-changing business, and to help you make better, more informed decisions.

Leading business plan expert Tim Berry teaches you how to summarize your strategy and tactics, set review schedules, track and measure your performance, and much more. If you’re familiar with Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of the Start,” this is a great companion piece that will teach you when to stick with the plan and when to ditch it, how to stay laser-focused on results, and how to set priorities for both the long and short-term.

Pair this with: “The Lean Entrepreneur: How Visionaries Create Products, Innovate with New Ventures, and Disrupt Markets,”  and “The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses.”

Financial Intelligence: A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

by Karen Berman

Why you should read it: You know you need to look to your business numbers in order to make informed decisions, but do you really know what the numbers mean?

“Financial Intelligence” is a book for nonfinancial managers. It aims to bring the numbers to life with entertaining stories from real companies, and without the complex jargon you’re used to seeing whenever you deal with financial topics.

Not only will it teach you to use your financial data in order to grow your business, but it will give you the confidence you need to really understand what the numbers mean.

Pair this with: “Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction,”  and “The Tax and Legal Playbook: Game-changing Solutions to Your Small Business Questions.”

Thinking, Fast and Slow

by Daniel Kahneman

A Palo Alto Software Book Club book

Why you should read it: If you want to understand how your mind works—as much as is possible—there isn’t a better guide to walk you through the process than Daniel Kahneman, a renowned psychologist and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics.

In “Thinking, Fast and Slow,”  you’ll learn about the two systems that drive the way we think: the fast intuitive and emotional system, and the slower, more deliberate and more logical system. Kahneman also explains why we can’t trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of “slow thinking.”

You’ll learn new techniques to minimize such problems, and gain a much better understanding of how these two different systems shape the way we understand the world around us, as well as the decisions we make. If you want to master your mind, read this!

Pair this with: “Black Box Thinking: Why Some People Never Learn From Their Mistakes—But Others Do.”

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

by Greg McKeown

Why you should read it: Do you often feel overwhelmed by the amount of work on your plate? Busy but not productive? Controlled by the things others want done?

Well, you’re not alone and you may need to learn about essentialism so that you can take back control and get the things done that really matter. This book isn’t a treatise on time management or productivity. Rather, it’s an explanation of a discipline that you can learn in order to eliminate the inessential tasks in your life, and focus on the absolutely essential ones.

In “Essentialism,”  you’ll learn the importance of, and how to apply more selective criteria for what needs to get done. Read this book if you’re a business owner, a leader, a manager, or even just someone who want to learn to do less better.

Pair this with: “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity”  and “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.”  And, if you’re interested in creativity and simplicity: “The Storm of Creativity.”  Also, check out “ Busy: How to Thrive in a World of Too Much ,” a recommendation from one of our readers!

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t

by Simon Sinek

Why you should read it: Some teams work together, others don’t. But, do you know why?

If you’re struggling to get your team to “pull together,” you may need to go right back to basic human biology; you may need to establish a Circle of Safety. In “Leaders Eat Last,”  Simon Sinek, uncovers the startling truth behind why some teams trust each other so deeply they’re willing to put their lives on the line, and why others are doomed to infighting, failure, and fragmentation.

Simply put, a great leader will sacrifice her own comfort for the good (and even survival) of those in her care. Drawing on examples from industries around the globe, as well as innate human biology, Sinek explains that if you want your employees to work together, to feel valued, and to be loyal, you need to put their best interests first. You need to work for them. You need to eat last.

Pair this with: “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,”  and “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.”

The First Time Manager

by Loren B. Balker

Why you should read it: If you’ve never managed a team or owned a business before, you may be worrying that you’ll do all your learning through trial and error.

The problem is, that’s a costly approach, and a dangerous one as by the time you’ve learned everything you need to know, you may well be out of business.

In “The First Time Manager,”  Loren Balker explains how to manage a team of people, going into detail on a wide range of topics, including hiring and firing, motivation, time management, and much more. If you’re looking for the ultimate beginner’s guide on management, this book is a great candidate.

Pair this with: “The 27 Challenges Managers Face: Step by Step Solution to (Nearly) All of Your Management Problems,”  and the age old classic “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change.”

Other books to look out for in 2016:

Look out for these just published or as of yet unpublished books. Perfect for business owners and managers like you!

The Right Kind of Crazy: A True Story of Teamwork, Leadership, and High-Stakes 

by Adam Steltzner and William Patrick

Published January 12, 2016

The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley 

by Eric Weiner

Published January 5, 2016

Inventology: How We Dream Up Things That Change the World 

by Pagan Kennedy

P ublished January 26, 2016

Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business 

by Charles Duhigg

COMING SOON: March 8, 2016

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days  

by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz

COMING SOON: March 18, 2016

The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future 

by Steve Case

COMING SOON: April 5, 2016

Look to yourself in 2016:

If you’ve been running a business for a while, and have stories and techniques to share—perhaps even a philosophy on how to run a successful business, or manage employees, or understand your financials—why not consider writing a book of your own?

I highly recommend reading Nina Amir’s “How to Blog a Book,”  if writing your own book sounds like a good idea.

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Candice Landau

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10 Business Books for Beginners to Learn the Basics

• Ivaylo Durmonski
• Reading Lists

Initially, when we start. We’re strangely unaware of how much stuff we don’t know about running a business . With time, we gain more experience and we start to understand how a business should be operated.

But this approach – starting a business and learning as you go – costs time, money, and can literally make you homeless.

Is there an alternative?

Yes! Consider yourself a beginner and read business books that will teach you the essential skills of managing a company.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Books help you fail on paper.

The best thing about reading books is that you get to learn from what others have already figured out.

Before printing business cards and walking away from your day job. It’s a good idea to check what the most successful business owners did (and some still do) by reading their stories.

Because let’s face it…

Starting a business feels scary. And it is scary!

You have to think about so many things – what you want to do, what you want to sell, how you will plan your business , how you’ll differentiate yourself from the rest, etc. Plus, there are so many extra things that can go wrong along the way.

But that’s not all!

On top of everything, stats are not on your side when it comes down to starting a business.

Well, statistically speaking, you’re going to fail. More than 60% of all new businesses fail after the first 2 years. This doesn’t mean they quit because they don’t love what they are doing. This means that they quit because they don’t have enough resources to keep operating.

The books listed below aim to help you learn business basics. The goal is simple: Equip yourself with the right tools, so you can increase your chances of succeeding and lower the odds of going bankrupt.

10 Business Books for Beginners:

1. ogilvy on advertising by david ogilvy, 2. working in public by nadia eghbal, 3. get together by bailey richardson, 4. never split the difference by chris voss, 5. little red book of selling by jeffrey gitomer, 6. blue ocean strategy by w. chan kim and renée mauborgne, 7. antifragile by nassim nicholas taleb, 8. linchpin: are you indispensable by seth godin, 9. six thinking hats by edward de bono, 10. the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership by john c. maxwell.

What’s the book about?

Hire people who are better than you are. And spend a lot of time figuring out the best headline for your ad. Why? Ads are not selling. They are a creative representation of your product and in a way complete it. These are just some of the things you’ll learn from this title. David Ogilvy – known as the “Father of Advertising” – shares his secrets on running an advertising agency. How to think about ads and how to craft them. How to think about business and how to run your company.

Why it can help?

The book will completely change how you view advertising. Usually, we think that buying ad spots is an extra channel that can bring you more sales. But that’s the wrong approach. Advertising should create a compelling narrative around your product. Not just create awareness for your product. Rather, your focus should be to create an uncontrollable desire towards what you’re offering. By creatively showcasing the strengths of your product, you build a base of raging fans. Not just mere consumers.

Thought-provoking quote:

“It isn’t the whiskey they choose, it’s the image.” David Ogilvy

Get the book

Can you start a business by creating and maintaining open source software? Should you do it and what you should do if you want to stop at some point? Nadia Eghbal packs some interesting insights about creating a transparent project online. While the book feels mainly for engineers who are also entrepreneurs. I think that a lot of people can benefit from the lessons inside this title. After all, every business is, in a way, open source. The more you accept it, the better you’ll become at what you do.

The discussion about creating in public is becoming more and more popular. When you’re fully transparent, you share every win and every setback with your audience. You create this personal connection with the people following you. These folks become part of the journey. They feel like they are part of your team. Thus, they stay longer and support you for longer. That’s, I think, the best idea in this book.

“Maybe platforms do a lot more for creators than we realize. Instead of treating platforms as adversaries, we might think of platforms as powerful allies for creators, and try to understand the strange, symbiotic relationship they’ve formed with one another.” Nadia Eghbal

More and more businesses rely on communities. Whether this will be by using the traditional evil social media platforms or by using something more elegant, this is up to you. But creating a tribe around your brand can be the best way to support your work and add extra value to the people excited about your products. Get Together walks you through everything you need to know about creating and nurturing an online group of like-minded people.

Some brands or individuals online rely solely on their communities to earn an income. Initially, it might sound easy to gather a group of people around. You just create a channel and share it with your email list. However, that’s not a community. That’s a bunch of strangers. To create a vibrant community, you need to build together. To get stronger along the way. This book will help you shift your focus from starting a community to earn money to starting a community to make everyone inside the group stronger and better.

“The most vibrant communities offer members a chance to act on their passions with one another.” Bailey Richardson

Negotiating is a big part of your life if you’re a business owner. You’re constantly negotiating. With clients. With suppliers. With your employees. Eventually, you realize that your skills to persuade others are quite beneficial. Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator will help you win more deals. He teaches by showcasing how he approached face-to-face conversations with bank robbers in the past. And, how these insights can aid us in a business environment.

Full of verbal maneuvers, this book can help you think like the person sitting in front of you. Understand their real needs while standing for what you want – and how not to give in to what others want. As you will uncover from the book. It’s about making others convince themselves that you’re right. Once you get that, you will completely revamp your negotiation strategy.

“Negotiate in their world. Persuasion is not about how bright or smooth or forceful you are. It’s about the other party convincing themselves that the solution you want is their own idea. So don’t beat them with logic or brute force. Ask them questions that open paths to your goals. It’s not about you.” Chris Voss

Get the book | Read my summary

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of a series of books that aim to help you become better at selling. This particular handbook was one of the first books I’ve read about making others open their wallets. The writing style and the strategies will help you see the process of selling and what you need to do in order to convince more people that your product is worth it.

The Little Red Book of Selling will show you the other loop. The loop we often fail to master. If we label creating a product as the first loop. We can say that selling the product is the second. Without selling you don’t have a business. You simply have an idea about something. Learning the basic principles of selling will make your business actually a business.

“In order for you to be the BEST you can be for others, first you must be BEST for yourself.” Jeffrey Gitomer

Instead of arming yourself and aiming directly at your competitors. The authors suggest something else. Something smoother. Creating a blue ocean. Meaning, that your business success relies not on bloody ren oceans where fierce competition is leading to more casualties and shrinking market cap. Instead, you involve yourself in new markets. Creating something unique. Focusing on a strategy which the authors call “value innovation”.

If you don’t have a lot of resources and if you’re just getting started. Creating something that already exists won’t help you thrive. You need to craft something unique. Become an outlier. Something different, even strange, for people to talk about. Blue Ocean Strategy presents an approach to reach these high-profit waters that are also peaceful and competitor-free.

“Value innovation is the cornerstone of blue ocean strategy. We call it value innovation because instead of focusing on beating the competition, you focus on making the competition irrelevant by creating a leap in value for buyers and your company, thereby opening up new and uncontested market space.” W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

On the surface, this book is about shielding yourself from all the adversities that will surely happen in your life and business. Deep down though, this book is about making yourself and your business stronger with time. Antifrigle stands for getting slightly stronger after each hit. Drop a vase and it will smash. Life through a catastrophic event and you will become stronger. As your immune systems strengthen with age, your business should also become more resilient the more it gets hit by laws, competitors, market share getting slimmer, etc.

The philosophical and narcissistic way of writing may not appeal to everyone. But Nassim Nicholas Taleb offers a lot of insights that will help you create a stronger business. You get to see how many things can go wrong when running your business. Therefore, you will better prepare for the disastrous events that will surely catch up with you at some point.

“The psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer has a simple heuristic. Never ask the doctor what you should do. Ask him what he would do if he were in your place. You would be surprised at the difference.” Nassim Nicholas Taleb

While you can build a whole library of Seth Goldins books – and I’m not saying that this is a good thing – this specific one is a keeper. It showcases why you need to create your own business. But most importantly, it explains how to become irreplaceable in a system. Linchpin will help you create remarkable products and give you the power to design the future you want for yourself.

There is no master manual that will help you create a successful business. There are plenty that will support you to start a business, but they won’t guarantee that you’ll make it. This book offers a way of thinking that will show you how to thrive in a world without rules. How to take advantage of the lawless dynamics and use them to your advantage.

“Art isn’t only a painting. Art is anything that’s creative, passionate, and personal. And great art resonates with the viewer, not only with the creator.” Seth Godin

Edward de Bono explains what type of “hats” you need to wear daily as a business owner. The method is simple to get. There is a white hat for gaining information, the red hat for acknowledging emotions, etc. What de Bono wants to express is that you need to be a healthy generalist to make your business successful. In other words, you need to have and master many roles.

I think the book is useful because you 1) get to see how many positions you need to fill as a business owner and 2) it helps you better structure your time. Personally, I schedule different days for doing different things. What I mean is that I don’t try to be creative while doing accounting. I create separate “rooms” for these activities. This way, I get a lot more done.

“It is not the logical part of thinking that changes emotions but the perceptual part. If we see something differently, our emotions may alter with the altered perception.” Edward De Bono

John C. Maxwell is the guru of leadership. Often telling us what to do without explaining how to do it. While this title might not give you a step-by-step process on how to become a cherished leader. It can give you something better. A way to think about leadership. How to give, give, give without expectations. If we are able to do just that, we’ll become better leaders.

Leadership is often perceived as a lonely road where others are miles behind you and you should do everything possible to keep your distance. It’s quite the opposite. Leadership is working with the people who most need help. Helping folks not because you expect to follow you. But because you’re genuinely want to support them in their own quest.

“You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion… The heart comes before the head.” John C. Maxwell

Some Closing Thoughts

Don’t get paralyzed by the number of books above.

Also, don’t try to read all of them. Pick one or two. The ones that you feel need most.

Personally, after creating a bunch of websites and after reading a bunch of business books , I found out that to win when creating a company. You should focus on simple things. Plainly, the simplest solutions are always better.

Or in other words, don’t aim to create a massive social media platform that will compete with the giants. Start by creating something useful for 1000 people. You will move quite faster.

But there is one more thing that will help you stand out in the ocean of products and services. The key ingredient.

It’s creativity.

If you can create a small, niche business that is unique – and here, by unique I don’t necessarily mean innovative, it can simply be a fresh perspective on an existing product – you will find a large fan base faster.

Lastly, keep in mind that the number of books you read won’t magically make you more successful.

Yeah. It feels good to read the most popular titles – what Steve Jobs did or how to create a lean startup by reading the book from Eric Ries. But is this actually helping you move forward?

The way business books help is by explaining how you should think about your business and ways to mitigate failure.

Start small. Aim for healthy growth. And learn as you go.

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Use These Short Books to Master Topics that Will Improve Your Career

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Susan Heathfield is an HR and management consultant with an MS degree. She has decades of experience writing about human resources.

One trend in business books is the short management book, often written as a story or fable. These business books are approachable, useful, and may help encourage more people to read. And, as an employer, that's what you'd like to see—right? You're in favor of ongoing career development.

These business books pack a solid punch in a small package. Read some of the favorites that managers and HR staff recommend. You'll quickly agree with their assessment and understand why they have such universal appeal.

High Five! The Magic of Working Together

by Kenneth V. Blanchard, Sheldon Bowles, others (Morrow/Avon) ISBN: 0688170366 -

Fired from his job for failure to be a team player, Alan Foster helps a boy's hockey team learn both team secrets and hockey. Help from a retired girl's basketball coach, chants, cheers, focus, skill development, and knowing that, "None of us is as good as all of us," help Alan learn so he can teach. I love this book.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

by Patrick Lencioni (Jossey-Bass) ISBN-13: 978-0787960759 -

Assigned to lead a dysfunctional Silicon Valley executive committee, Kathryn Petersen, a traditional manager, appointed CEO, watches and observes the effect of the group's interactions on its members and on the company's progress and results.

Following her instinctive knowledge about people and using her skill in building teams, she identifies the factors that are undermining the group's effectiveness. In story-style,

Lencioni tells how to overcome the human behaviors that corrupt this executive team's success: the lack of trust , fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of personal accountability, and inattention to results. A must-read for teams that strive for optimum success.

The 1% Solution for Work and Life

by: Tom Connellan (Peak Performance Press) ISBN-13: 978-0-9769506-2-2

Feeling a bit discouraged about your life and work? Not getting as excited as you once were? You can change this by doing one small thing just 1% differently than you are right now. Sound easy? It's not, but if you do one small thing differently for thirty days, it becomes part of your available toolkit.

And, 1% plus 1% plus 1% adds up. Follow Ken on his journey as he meets and learns from six One-Percenters, people who have transformed their lives using the ideas shared in this book. Even if you're after just a small improvement, each chapter gives you ideas that you can adapt now. For me, my new 1% shift? No email in the morning until I have published something. I am on the path.

Just Do Your Best

by Chuck Harwood (Group Fare Productions) ISBN - 13:978-0881971019

In just 108 pages, the essence of performing successfully on your job is distilled and shared. In an out-of-the-ordinary management setting: a visit to a cattle ranch, Mr. Harwood identifies the five critical factors in job success.

Knowing your job well, and continuously improving what you know, is the first. The second factor is making good decisions. Enjoy attending the management meeting with the ranch employees - the daily lunch table at the ranch. Visit 15 additional workplaces he uses as examples for the five factors. Insightful, fun book.

Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

by Harry Paul, Stephen C. Lundin, John Christensen (Hyperion) ISBN: 0786866020

Based on the fun-loving fishmongers at Seattle's Pike Place Market, a supervisor learns how to create an environment in which employees are excited to serve customers and each other. Find out how she transformed a toxic work environment!

The One Minute Manager

by Spencer Johnson, Kenneth H. Blanchard (Morrow/Avon) ISBN: 0688014291

Can several million people be wrong? Read the book that spawned the dynasty! Timeless tips for supervisors and others who want to increase their effectiveness with people. Learn how to catch people doing something right and the power of clear, understandable goals. Though deceptively simple, this is a great read!

Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment

by William C. Byham (Development Dimensions International) ISBN: 0962348317

This continuing favorite may be hard to find but it's worth the search. Join a supervisor who is transported to a state in which he can suddenly "see" the real impact his actions have on whether staff is enabled to think, contribute, and find meaning in work. Experiment and learn with him as he changes.

Please Don't Just Do What I Tell You: Do What Needs to Be Done

by Bob Nelson (Hyperion) ISBN: 0786867299

Written directly for employees, the book has great tips about how to express individual initiative and self-empowerment at work. "Doing what you're told," no longer brings success for the individual or the organization - if it ever did! Everyone has the capacity to fulfill this "ultimate expectation." Share this book to help people find out how!

Gung Ho! Turn on the People in Any Organization

by Kenneth Blanchard, Sheldon Bowles (Morrow/Avon) ISBN: 068815428X

The story, told as a fable, provides a three-part strategy for motivating employees. Make sure people know why their work is important, give them control over how they do their jobs, and provide encouragement are the success factors. The story is told by a plant manager who learned these truths from a Native American manager.

The Peon Book

by Dave Haynes, Chief Executive Peon (Berrett-Koehler) ISBN: 1576752852

Not just a regular management book, written by an executive or a consultant, The Peon Book recommends you get the information you need to lead and manage people from the people you are trying to lead and manage. If all else fails, ask! What a concept!

Who Moved My Cheese?

by Spencer Johnson (Penguin Putnam, Inc.) ISBN: 0399144463

Explores positively approaching change through a parable populated by mice and "littlepeople," mouse-sized people. If you're an expert in change management , give it a chance; the book will make you smile and remind you of key change issues.

Others will find change management tips, real encouragement, and the sense that change is "doable." It's a book for everyone. Enjoy!

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