- \n
- 1. Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell<\/a><\/li>\n
- 2. Start with Why, by Simon Sinek<\/a><\/li>\n
- 3. Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4. Built to Last, by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras<\/a><\/li>\n
- 5. Leadership is Language, by David Marquet<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6. Experimentation Works, by Stefan Thomke<\/a><\/li>\n
- 7. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Dr. Robert Cialdini<\/a><\/li>\n
- 8. Deep Work, by Carl Newport<\/a><\/li>\n
- 9. The 10X Rule, by Grant Cardone<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10. Dotcom Secrets, by Russell Brunson<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The story about Bradley Smith<\/h3>\n
A rousing story is told about one Bradley Smith, a successful entrepreneur in the middle of the last decade. The CEO of Rescue One Financial<\/a>, a California-based financial services company that at one point grossed $32 million in a year, Mr. Smith can be considered an unequivocal business success. Within three years, his company had grown 1,400%, landing at No. 310 in 2014\u2019s Inc. 500.<\/p>\n
No one knew that, deep inside, the man was drowning.<\/strong><\/p>\n
It turns out the calm, collected personal finance guru was himself in a dire financial<\/a> mess. Like the people he spent long hours advising, Mr. Smith had driven himself into the red starting of \u2013 you guessed right \u2013 a debt settlement company. The more his clients narrated their harrowing stories, the more it reminded him of his own situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I listened to their stories, at the back of my mind, I kept thinking, \u2018I\u2019ve got twice as much debt as you do,\u2019\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Mr. Smith had maxed on his $60,000 line of credit and, worse still, cashed out of his 401k. He had nowhere to turn to. He had even sold the Rolex he bought with his first paycheck. That should tell you just how bad the situation was \u2013 he was barely afloat.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife and I would share a $5 bottle of wine for dinner,\u201d he recalls. \u201cIt was the clearest sign that we were on edge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even after humbling himself to get a $10,000 loan from his dad, a self-proclaimed Marxist who raised Smith on such principles as \u201cmoney doesn\u2019t grow on trees\u201d and \u201cnever mix business with family,\u201d he still couldn\u2019t sleep.<\/p>\n
More interestingly, he only got the loan on a condition to repay with a 5% interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes I woke up at 4 am with my mind racing, thinking about every possible scenario. When is this going to turn?\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s business finally picked up after about a year when he began making enough profit to pay his bills. But, it\u2019s a story that reminds us of the highs and lows of starting a business. It\u2019s not always a smooth sailing.<\/p>\n
Many people who desire to run a business eventually give up on the idea altogether \u2013 because of the effort (especially mental) it takes to get off the ground. And, of those who manage to get started, only 33% are operational after the 10th year, according to the Small Business Association<\/a>. From the loneliness at the top to management challenges and the mental strain, it gets overwhelming pretty easily if you lack the willpower to keep pushing.<\/p>\n
Some Inspiration Can Go a Long Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Nothing can take away all the pain and suffering of starting and running a business. Often, it\u2019s all about how much you want it.<\/p>\n
However, when the going gets tough, one of the best places to get inspiration and perhaps a re-boot, is a good old book. Books are not magic wands. Not even close. But a book is self-educating, self-improving, and induce self-criticism.<\/p>\n
Reading stimulates areas of the brain linked to memory, thus help you develop cognitive skills. Every entrepreneur needs cognitive skills to communicate effectively with clients and partners. It also cultivates the theory of mind. A great theory of mind will enable you to understand others\u2019 mental states, a crucial tool for any successful business owner. It helps you learn empathy, focusing, distressing, and listening.<\/p>\n
Above all, reading is a powerful tool to develop strategic decision making and management skills. Nothing is more important in entrepreneurship than being able to make rational decisions. Almost always, you\u2019re required to put your critical thinking skills to the task. Reading will help you learn and sharpen the skills necessary to navigate everyday business obstacles.<\/p>\n
10 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n
As you\u2019d imagine, though, you can\u2019t just go about reading any book. It\u2019s both impractical and unhelpful. For the biggest impact, you must carefully select the books you read. Luckily, we\u2019ve done the groundwork for you and picked out some of the best books to consider for 2021 and beyond.<\/p>\n
They are just ten books, which should be more than enough for the year. However, if you can squeeze in a few more, always feel free to do so.<\/p>\n
1. Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Anomalies-by-Malcolm-Gladwell-198x300.png\")
<\/p>\nOne of the very best books you can read before setting out on a business journey or even once you get going,\u00a0Outliers<\/em>\u00a0is the story of Malcolm Gladwell and the inspiration behind the 10,000 Hour Rule<\/a>. The 10,000 Hour Rule says you need to do something for 10,000 hours to gain authority and become a specialist in it.<\/p>\n
What makes Anomalies so outstanding is that it helps you understand what separates the high-achievers from the ordinary. According to Gladwell, business success isn\u2019t merely determined by business acumen. Factors that may seem external, including an individual\u2019s way of life, family, age, and eccentric encounters of their childhood, are just as crucial.<\/p>\n
He contends that circumstance and the measure of time dedicated to whatever you seek have a profound effect on how successful you eventually become. The best part of it is that he drives the point home using carefully selected individual success stories and expertly narrates how the individual achieved their success.<\/p>\n
Buy Outliers on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n
2. Start with Why, by Simon Sinek\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Start](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Start-with-Why-by-Simon-Sinek--199x300.jpg\")
Start with Why, by Simon Sinek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Another book that you may find yourself reading over and over,\u00a0Start with Why<\/em>, also addresses why some people are more successful than others. \u201cFor what reason are a few people (or groups of people) increasingly creative, more compelling, and more gainful than others?\u201d Sinek wonders.<\/p>\n
To answer this question, he digs deep into multiple success stories, especially pioneers in various industries. His key finding? The people with the most significant impacts in their spaces act and impart similarly \u2013 the exact opposite of how most entrepreneurs approach business.<\/p>\n
Start with Why<\/em><\/a>, however, isn\u2019t a book for the faint soul. It is not an impartial book. Instead, it talks straight to facts, which has led to criticism from readers who buy it, hoping for impartiality. The good news, though, is that Sinek offers useful advice throughout the book, complete with examples from past success stories.<\/p>\n
Buy Start with Why<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
3. Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Shoe](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Shoe-Dog-by-Phil-Knight--257x300.jpg\")
Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n One of the best ways to work your way through business is to\u00a0copy<\/em>\u00a0or learn from what others did. A few people call it stealing, but that\u2019s too strong a word. When you observe something and try to use the lessons learned to solve a similar problem, you\u2019re merely borrowing.<\/p>\n
Back on track, Shoe Dog, allows you to learn from the struggles and challenges of Nike\u2019s early days. Written by co-founder and one time CEO of the global sports apparel maker, the book shares some of the ways and strategies Nike used to get out of tough situations.<\/p>\n
For instance, you\u2019ll learn that Nike started from very humble beginnings, with Knight even borrowing $50 at one point. But, it\u2019s not just about Knight\u2019s success. Instead, the author also provides an inside scoop of Nike\u2019s operations in those early days and emotionally discusses the good and bad decisions they made along the way. Shoe Dog is available in hard copy and digitally on Kindle, as an audiobook, and on CD.<\/p>\n
Buy Shoe Dog<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
4. Built to Last, by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Built](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Built-to-Last-by-Jim-Collins-and-Jerry-Porras--199x300.jpg\")
Built to Last, by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Written nearly two and a half decades ago,\u00a0Built to Last<\/em>\u00a0would be a good follow-up of Shoe Dog. It also goes into detail about how successful companies are built. Unlike Shoe Dog, which focuses on just Nike, though\u00a0Built to Last<\/em>\u00a0is about 18 companies. It details the growth of these companies from the time they opened their doors to the present.<\/p>\n
The core ideology of the book is trying to find a common element in all these thriving companies. What are some of the things you\u2019ll find in all of these industry pioneers? Collins notes that among these unique features are strong enduring principles that go beyond just profits. Call it a cause or purpose if you wish.<\/p>\n
The idea is to build a business that can stand the test of time, you can\u2019t just think about monetary returns. Sure, profitability is crucial to business growth. But, when the steam runs out, when the chips are down, what will get you back up is the original purpose.<\/p>\n
Buy Built to Last<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
5. Leadership is Language, by David Marquet\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Leadership](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Leadership-is-Language-by-David-Marquet--199x300.jpg\")
Leadership is Language, by David Marquet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In Leadership is Language, former US Navy captain David Marquet discusses the \u201chidden power of what you say or don\u2019t say.\u201d From the offset, you can tell that it\u2019s not purely a business book. However, when you\u2019re in business, language can make or break everything. And that\u2019s the message the author is trying to pass.<\/p>\n
He explains that leaders mostly lead through words, whether its face-to-face, via emails, annual reports, or company statements. The words you say or don\u2019t say will shape the world around you and define how far you go. \u201cIf you ask the question differently, you\u2019ll get a different answer,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest takeaways from the book is \u201ccontrol the clock, don\u2019t obey the clock.\u201d What this means is that you want to pre-plan, so you don\u2019t have to rush. He also says, \u201ccollaborate, don\u2019t coerce\u201d and \u201ccommit, don\u2019t comply.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buy Leadership is Language<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
6. Experimentation Works, by Stefan Thomke\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Experimentation](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Experimentation-Works-by-Stefan-Thomke--199x300.jpg\")
Experimentation Works, by Stefan Thomke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Many of the world\u2019s best discoveries happened in a lab of some sort; they were born out of experimentation. Whether it\u2019s Facebook or Microsoft, none of them were originally built as the companies they are today. Instead, it took lots of trials and errors in the lab to make them into the juggernauts they are.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what Stefan Thorke advocates in his book\u00a0Experimentation Works<\/em>. He says, \u201ceven the most experienced managers get it wrong. They discover that intuition, experience, and data alone don\u2019t work.\u201d Running disciplined experiments can lead to the big break you\u2019ve been dreaming about.<\/p>\n
What makes the books so powerful is that Thomke, a Harvard Professor, goes on to discuss how to experiment in business. He lays down how to create what he calls an\u00a0experimentation organization<\/em>\u00a0that regularly carries out experiments as well as discusses best practices for forming a strong hypothesis, setting up control groups, and interpreting results.<\/p>\n
Buy Experimentation Works<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
7. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Dr. Robert Cialdini<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Influence:](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Influence-The-Psychology-of-Persuasion-by-Dr.-Robert-Cialdini-197x300.jpg\")
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Dr. Robert Cialdini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Business sales is about persuasion. It\u2019s about convincing strangers that you offer a great product or services and persuading them to try out those products\/services. After the first sale, you then need to convince them to stay around by showing them that you have their best interests at heart.<\/p>\n
Dr. Robert Cialdini\u2019s book,\u00a0Influence<\/em><\/a>, attempts to explore what would make those people stick. It doesn\u2019t provide tips and tricks for wooing customers, but tells you why someone would choose to buy from you and reasons they would become loyal to your brand; why they say \u201cyes\u201d instead of \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Cialdini also believes that success or failure at persuading customers may have something to do with yourself. He argues that understanding what you want and resisting manipulation can be the difference between a successful salesperson and business failure. Most of what he discusses comes from 35 years of personal research. This book is also available in hardcover as well as digitally as an audiobook and on MP3 CD.<\/p>\n
Buy Influence<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
8. Deep Work, by Carl Newport\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Deep](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Deep-Work-by-Carl-Newport-1-1-191x300.jpg\")
Deep Work, by Carl Newport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A common challenge in business is that you\u2019re surrounded by so many things you\u2019re sometimes overwhelmed. The small business owner, for instance, may need to work as an accountant, lawyer, salesperson, marketer, and HR chief all at the same time. That\u2019s before you consider family responsibilities, parental duties, and other life needs.<\/p>\n
You can read two excellent books to help you navigate the chaos;\u00a0Conquer the Chaos<\/em>\u00a0by Clate Mask and Scott Martineau and\u00a0Deep Work<\/em>\u00a0by Carl Newport. Feel free to pick either. However, we\u2019ll go with Carl Newport\u2019s\u00a0Deep Work<\/em>\u00a0as it gives examples of well-known individuals who overcame chaotic situations to become successful.<\/p>\n
Newport identifies common detractors and outlines some tried-and-true techniques for overcoming the distractions. You also get access to a \u201ctraining program\u201d to set you on the path to conquering your chaos. Both Deep Work and Conquer the Chaos are best suited for beginners before too much damage is done.<\/p>\n
Buy Deep Work<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
9. The 10X Rule, by Grant Cardone\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/The-10X-Rule-by-Grant-Cardone--199x300.jpg\")
The 10X Rule, by Grant Cardone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Cardone contends that in life, there are four ways to approach any situation. The first is doing nothing about it. The second is to retreat and avoid the situation altogether. The third is to do respond the same way other people are responding. And, the fourth option, which he calls the 10X principle<\/a>, involves doing things differently. To succeed, often, you need to take the fourth route.<\/p>\n
In being different, however, you must understand that there\u2019s no absolute in life. Everything is at hand, and everyone dreams of being extraordinary. But very few people live to see that dream because they are not willing to pursue the 10X rule.<\/p>\n
Some of the key points he stresses include \u201cnever reduce your goals\u201d and \u201chaving a success mindset is the only difference between success and failure.\u201d He also says that \u201csuccess never happens by chance.\u201d Instead, you must be willing to work 10X harder while \u201caiming higher and higher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buy The 10X Rule<\/a> on Amazon<\/p>\n
10. Dotcom Secrets, by Russell Brunson\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Dotcom](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Dotcom-Secrets-by-Russell-Brunson--187x300.jpg\")
Dotcom Secrets, by Russell Brunson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Finally, as the name suggests, Dotcom Secrets is about doing business in the digital era. The book discusses the challenges of marketing in a digital world, focusing on increased competition and technological obstacles. He particularly notes that the \u201conline space is overwhelmed with items like yours,\u201d which means that to stand out, you must be different.<\/p>\n
With this background in mind, Brunson then focuses on explaining how to set your advertising apart. He clarifies why low traffic might not necessarily be a bad thing and identifies ways to utilize deal pipes to transform adherents into steadfast clients, thus grow your business.<\/p>\n
Other aspects of digital marketing covered in the book include product positioning and showcasing. In this regard, Brunson has gone to great detail to explain what works and what doesn\u2019t. It would be a great book if you\u2019re currently struggling with advertising or marketing content online.<\/p>\n
- 2. Start with Why, by Simon Sinek<\/a><\/li>\n