Last week we asked a brand new Young Entrepreneur Poll Question! What is the most valuable business book you have ever read, and why?
The poll is off to a great start, and we have had some really interesting answers so far!
For you techy entrepreneurs we have Maximum Linux Security (2nd Edition)
Next up we have Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller–Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
The Amazon editorial review says; “Think and Grow Rich has been called the “Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature.” It was the first book to boldly ask, “What makes a winner?” The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world’s winners himself.
The most famous of all teachers of success spent “a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort” to produce the “Law of Success” philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.
In the original Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. In the updated version, Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., a nationally known author, lecturer, and consultant in human resources management and an expert in applying Hill’s thought, deftly interweaves anecdotes of how contemporary millionaires and billionaires, such as Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Dave Thomas, and Sir John Templeton, achieved their wealth. Outmoded or arcane terminology and examples are faithfully refreshed to preclude any stumbling blocks to a new generation of readers.”
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money–That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!
And as voted for by you – the popular entrepreneur Donald Trump found his way in with Think BIG and Kick Ass in Business and Life
Do you have an inspirational book you have read which stands out from all the others – we want to hear about it, leave your answer in a comment or by entering our poll in the YE Forum! To say thanks for sharing, everyone who enters their most valuable business book is in with the chance of WINNING the MOST valuable book themselves, as voted for by our Young Entrepreneurs – So tell us what yours is right now!
Matthew Toren
My all-time favourite business book (well, more specifically it’s a book about marketing) is “Selling the Invisible” by Harry Beckwith. It features short, practical, no-nonsense, easily digestible stories/chapters, with a “moral of the story” at the end of each one. I recommend it to everyone I meet who wants to succeed in business.
I have read many books on business, but the book influnced me most is
“Keeping Better Company: Corporate Governance Ten Years On” By: Jonathan Charkham 2nd Edition.
This is book gave me insight of how large companies are managed in large economies.
I’ve got to go with Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow” because it represented the biggest shift in my approach to business and marketing. It’s not just about doing something unique, it’s about using marketing to help people, using one’s influence responsibly.
Purple Cow is one of my favorites! Currently reading Seth Godins – The Dip! Another great read!
Art of the Start – Guy Kawasaki __ great anthem for any startup (especially tech-related); the book details every step of the process from infancy to maturity.
Secrets of The Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Eker ___ a great book to put your entrepreneurial mind in the right gear. It’s a book that will ‘rewire’ your brain for success. It’s a quick and must-read for any ambitious entrepreneur
Blink and also The Tipping Point, both by Malcolm Gladwell. They’re not how-to business books, but the things you can glean from these books has the potential to profoundly impact your business and business decisions. One of the most interesting and memorable reading experiences on both books.
The Four Hour Work Week.
Without a doubt one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs is time management. Many times we are forced to start a business “on the side”. Being able to prioritize tasks, schedule time and stick to your plan will help to make progress every day. No plan = failure. There needs to be an objective and a strategy that will lead to meeting that objective, otherwise you are just running really fast and hoping that you are running in the right direction…
I too am a big fan of Think and Grow Rich. There are so many great business books out there it is hard to choose. I think Good to Great is an excellent one and one I refer to often is Jack Canfield’s The SUccess Principles.
I just read a scathing review online yesterday of the “Four-Hour Work Week.” I have to agree with “The Purple Cow” assessment. While I wouldn’t necessarily call this the most valuable ever, I really liked Take the E Out of EGO & GO: Powerful Secrets to Prosperity, Relationships, Healing and Fun.” (Had to get the book to get that long title!) It’s by Donna and Jerry Goven, who take a lot of Jerry’s experiences, particularly, to illustrate how to have fun while making money, and if business isn’t fun, they change what they’re doing. Much has to do with better, more effective ways to communicate — the getting your own ego out of the way, so to speak, in order to improve business.
I goofed up and left the incorrect spelling of the author’s I had mentioned. Their corrected name is, Donna and Jerry Govan.