The word “business” is one of the most broad and most used words around today. Fact is, business is all around us whether its in the place we work, advertisements we see and more. Understanding all things business is very important in the world and business schools are some of the most populated educational areas. This article will give you six business books that you should have on your shelf to stay sharp and ahead of the game.
1. Rich dad, Poor Dad
This is a fantastic book that is a good help for anyone who wants to make their money work for them and build wealth. The name of the game here is improving financial intelligence so you can become financially independent, start your own businesses and overall increase your financial and business aptitude. The author uses stories from his real life which really help the book be easy to follow and understand.
2. Rookie Smarts
Let’s face it, everyone starts off as a rookie. And when people are rookies, they tend to work harder and smarter as they are learning new things and not just repeating tasks the already know. As you age and mature, some people get complacent, lazy and less affective. This book tries to help people retain their “Rookie Smarts”, which will lead them to be more flexible, curious and enthusiastic individuals. If you find yourself in a rut, this is a fantastic book to have on hand to help you regain that youthful approach of your younger self.
3. Purple Cow
Especially in the modern day, marketing is one of the most important and difficult aspects of business. Well, in this amazing book by marketing maven Seth Godin, you will learn that one of the best things you can do in marketing is to be different and deviate from the path most traveled. Too many people create similar products that differ only slightly from the mould set out. Godin asks and inspires people in this book to be the “Purple Cow” and stick out from the pack and create your own market.
4. The Lean Start-Up
Before you decide to come up with a business idea or start one, give this book an in-depth read. Doing so could save you a ton of money, stress and heartache as well as wasting a ton of time. This book instructs you not to focus too much on the initial product and launch, but instead focus on what your customers want and need and work at providing them with that. In a sense, it is about working backwards from the results of business you want to achieve and once you figure that out, develop a product that satisfies those needs.
5. How to Win Friends and Influence People
In today’s day and age, it is more about who you know than what you know. This means that, while relationships were always important, now they are more crucial than ever. This one really should be required reading not only for entrepreneurs and businesspeople, but for anyone looking to build better relationships and keep them. This book will give you a number of simple tips that will help with not only strengthening your current network, but also expanding it.
6. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
This is perhaps my favorite book I have ever read and while it is great for businesspeople, this one really should be a must read for everyone. It is also one of the best-selling self-help/business books with over 25 Million sold since first being published in 1989. The book is, just as the title explains, trying to instill seven great habits in particular in readers. Each habit has a section of the book dedicated to it and the habits aim to get you to be more effective and reach your goals, whatever they may be.