Knowledge is power and this is especially true for small business owners; solopreneurs and micro business owners. Whether it’s staying ahead of the curve or operating your business with limited resources, you have to be able to make adjustments and decisions based on relevant and current information as it applies to you and your business.
We asked over 97 solopreneurs and micro business owners what business books have they read that not only have they read multiple times, but made such an impact on them or that they found it so profound, it changed the way they do business. Some of the books are well known and others are considered “best kept secrets.” One thing is for sure, these books can be powerful tools for you to build, develop and grow your business.
When you read business books, it important that you take action where necessary, delve deeper when needed and re-read for reminders.
Get the most from your business books:
Read one business book a month or quarter, implement one or two new practices and see where your business ends up after a year.
Create a business book club within your network. Each person reads a business book shares or reports back to the group key insights and tips or the most important aspects of the book.
Swap or trade business books with your network, colleagues and friends.
Many of the tips, tools and techniques found in the following books have been found to be useful, empowering and inspiring. Here are 31 of the best business books for solopreneurs and micro business owners:
1. 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris – Provides a variety of tips and practices to achieve the 4-hour workweek the title refers to; however, it is NOT a get-rich-quick-scheme book. Submitted by R. Kaplan, www.surfohio.com
2. 9 Lies That Are Holding Your Business Back by Steve Chandler and Sam Beckford – Helps shed light on some of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make and how to prevail. Submitted by T. Scarda, www.franchoice.com
3. 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch – A little-known must-read. I took it out of the library 4 times before I realized I had to buy it, have multiple copies, and distribute to everyone I know. Submitted by L. Enock, www.CUcontent.com
4. 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence by Thomas J. Peters – Reference for business practices that produce immediate results. Great for those with short attention spans. Submitted by L. Baer, www.baerdesign.com
5. Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port – (Received numerous amounts of submissions for this book) A must read for solopreneurs and micro business owners. Submitted first by M. Tremblay
6. Coherent Strategy and Execution: An eye-opening parable about leadership and management by Ravi Kathuria – Part fiction but based on real business, not just theory. Ultimately, the company is a success, but only because the CEO was willing to let down his guard, listen to a mentor and realize that he still had a lot to learn – a lesson many small business owners still need to learn. Submitted by B. Price, www.AgamaAdvertising.com
7. Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk – Teaches honesty and transparency above all else, as well as “getting into the trenches” through social media to effectively interact with customers, peers and the media. Submitted by B. MacGregor, www.costrefuge.com
8. Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty: The only networking book you’ll ever need by Harvey Mackay – Details what it means to network and the types of people one should have in one’s network. Submitted by T. Lobell, Ph.D., http://drthea.com
9. E-Myth by Michael Gerber – (Received numerous amounts of submissions for this book) A must read for solopreneurs and micro business owners. Submitted first by H. Cohen, www.trainingsolutions-hlc.com
10. Four Steps To The Epiphany by Steve Blank – A heavy focus on truly understanding customer needs before you determine the business model that is right for your business. Submitted by A. Rodnitzky, www.reteltechnologies.com
11. Getting Real by 37 Signals – Learn how to limit your hours to 40 hours maximum every week to maintain steady, sustainable motivation. Submitted by D. Croak
12. Getting to Yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in by Roger Fisher and William Ury – Negotiate fees and terms that benefit you, your company and your clients. Submitted by S. Bender Phelps, www.OdysseyMentoring.com
13. Go Givers by Bob Burg and John David Mann – This book gives new relevance to the old proverb, “Give and ye shall receive.” Submitted by C. Hasbrouck, www.intentionallivingonline.com
14. How to Become a Rainmaker by David Fox – Recommended reading for all my existing and new clients. Submitted by N. Anderson, www.thecouragegroup.com
15. Interview Tactics: How to survive the media without getting clobbered by Gayl Murphy – Helpful guide to learning how to make the most of media interviews. Submitted by S. Levin, www.speakerservices.com
16. Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath – Teaches one how to convey ideas in very powerful ways that “stick” in your listener’s brain. And what’s more important than that when you’re trying to sell an idea, a service or a product? Submitted by M. Lindenberger, www.bocacommunications.com
17. Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months by Melinda Emerson – Step-by-step guide for stepping out on your own the SMART way, the PRACTICAL way… the ONLY way. Submitted by A.Michelle Blakeley, www.simplicitymastered.com
See the rest of the list here: http://ht.ly/279xV
