10 Books all business owners should read NOW - by Stephen Irvine
I'm an avid reader and since early childhood have poured over point horrors, lost myself in Stephen King and more recently enjoyed the rich tapestries that Richard E Feist paints with language. Fiction has always been a favourite of mine more as a form of escapism than a need to learn something new.
Me meeting Mr Feist himself.
I have been a business owner for nearly 15 years I spent most of my early career coasting through business problems and learning from my mistakes.
I was introduced to Audible a few years back and their fantastic collection of audio books. On those short drives to work and long drives to meetings they have become a welcome companion and a rich resource of learning and self development.
Although my favourite is my Kindle, there is nothing more pleasant than leafing through a newly printed book.
I have compiled a collection of books that I have found incredibly useful and in most cases have actually changed the way I operate my business and although this will act as an archive for my own use I would highly recommend each of the books below to those already running their own company or those looking to start. Support these great authors, buy their books, learn something new and accelerate your business and thinking.
1: The E-Myth Revisited: Why most business don't succeed.
Author: Michael E Gerber
If there is any book a new business should read it's E-Myth. A fantastic book that literally changed how I run my business. Some great principles and for any small or medium sized business owner thats been struggling for a few years as this will outline your worries and provide some effective strategies to succeed.
2: The Richest Man in Babylon
The fundamental principles of money and debt management. Reads like a collection of ancient parables which help you understand the importance of living to your means, paying your debts and saving for the future. The stories were actual informational pamphlets distributed by banks and insurance companies in the early 1900's but the advice still holds true today.
3: How to own the world
Author: Andrew Craig
As a business owner I've made many mistakes over the years and when I look back it nearly always has to do with how I've controlled my finances. Financial literacy plays a major role in the success of both your personal and business success. Andrew Craigs Plain english guide to thinking globally and wisely is probably one of the only books I've ever read that made me understand the real reason to get on top of your money and think about investing plus gives you some amazing insights on how to do it properly.
4: Key Person of Influence
Author: Daniel Priestley
Key Person of influence was my first introduction to Daniel Priestly's work which has lead me onto nearly all his publications including Oversubscribed and his newly launched 24 Assets - The principles of KPI should be followed and understood by all business owners and entrepreneurs looking to own their industry and carve out a successful career. It's not all about putting yourself in front of the camera but a more practical look at becoming an authority in your industry.
5: As a Man Thinketh
Author: James Allen
Having recently become fascinated by such books as "The Power of the subconscious mind" and the remarkably esoteric "Science of Getting Rich" I actively seek out any such texts belonging to the study of the Law of Attraction. The simply written paperback by James Allen is a book I intend to study and memorise. As a Man Thinketh is a literary essay, the title is influenced by a verse in the Bible from the Book of Proverbs chapter 23 verse 7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Written in 1903 it contains some great philosophical views that will put your mind at ease and help you deal with every and all situations.
"Men do not attract what they want, but what they are." "A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts." "Cherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment, of these if you but remain true to them your world will, at last, be built."
6: It doesn’t have to be crazy at work
Author: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
A recommendation from a good friend made me purchase this book which follows the author’s first book Rework which I do recall reading and liking but not enough to list here. A mouthful for sure, “It doesn’t have to be crazy at work” essentially gives a big F**k you to the standard business practices and anxieties experienced by staff in all companies around the world. Written by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the owners of Basecamp (a tool I don’t use in my business) deliveries a modern-day working manifesto to combat the chaos and relieve the stresses that plague many workplaces.
I have already implemented some of their practices into my business and have joyfully added: “Protect our time at all costs” to my own daily mantra. Essentially I too want my staff to enjoy their jobs but more importantly enjoy their families and their own lives. Work to live not live to work.
7: Traction
Author: Gino Wickman
I think this is the first book I’ve read that I am now actively using as an operating system for my business organisation. It is a highly practical, almost step by step guide on how to run and operate a successful business. I wish I’d read this 15 years ago. If you haven’t read it, get it and study it immediately.
“Life is much easier for everyone when you have people around you who genuinely get it, want it, and have the capacity to do it.”
― Gino Wickman
8.Fanatical Prospecting
Author: Jeb Blount
Direct sales has never been my strong point. I love talking with customers and get me on the phone with a warm lead and you’ll never shut me up. The prospect of cold calling customers puts a chill down my spine and queue procrastination techniques 101 into my day.
“Here is the brutal reality. If you don't have a plan, you will become a part of someone else's plan. You can either take control of your life or someone else will use you to enhance theirs. It's your choice.”
- Jeb Blount
Jeb tells it how it is. What you need to do, how and why to get sales, increase your conversions and grow your sales pipeline. Love it and will study this book many times over. I’ve already implemented many of his strategies into my working practise.
If you lead a sales team, get them all this book and make them read it now!
9.Built to sell
Author: John Warillow
Built to Sell by John Warrilow is a very unique take on business development and really goes against typical agency practices. I was recommended this by a good friend Jo Shahunta of Action Coach who worked with me for most of 2019. I was starting to lean towards this type of practice for a few years, basically visualising your services as products, allowing you to create systems and processes to deliver high-quality work, on time and on budget. If you struggle to quote accurately or want to move away from time-based billing, simplify your services and offer a clear, dedicated set of services then read this book. You’ll get a lot out of it.
“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,
A slight warning. I listened to this on audible and it has a very unique narrators voice. I nearly put it down due to this but glad I persisted.
10. Sell like Crazy
Author: Subri Suby
Coined as “the most controversial marketing book of the decade” Sell Like Crazy outlines an effective selling system for generating large amounts of leads, sales and profit for any business in any market with digital marketing!
When I read this I thought it might be another overly hyped, flavour of the day like 4 Hour Work Week and 6 Months to 6 Figures which I found thin and impractical. Granted you can tell the author is well-read and borrows a lot of thinking and ideas from other authors in this niche. However, Subri puts his money where is mouth is and walks the walk so to speak (well let’s hope his case studies are genuine) which are impressive. His systematic approach gives some simple and also hard lessons that once implemented are almost guaranteed to work.
I have implemented some of his principles already to my own businesses and have already seen returns that were well worth the effort in studying.
If you have an e-commerce business that is struggling, get this NOW and implement the information.
Current Reading List.
Here’s a list of some of the books I’m currently reading and yet to review. Some of these are business-related or for personal and professional development.
Ultimate Guide to Eccomerce Growth - Buy >> https://amzn.to/3uS5659
48 Laws of Power - Buy >> https://amzn.to/3bbMo0u
The Luxury Strategy - Buy >> https://amzn.to/2OhaM7T
The Ultimate Sales Machine - Buy >> https://amzn.to/3bfgjVx
Entre Leadership - Buy >> https://amzn.to/2OqE5Vt
