Our top five books we’re reading at the moment
Here's a look at our top five inspiring business books we're reading at the moment.
1 – “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It,” by Michael Gerber
The E-Myth Revisited gives entrepreneurs a rigorous plan to work out their long-term business so all their good ideas go to profitable use.
Our key takeaway: Work on your business rather than in your business.
Contrary to popular belief, my experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren't so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more.
2 – “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
Make friends, convince them, and change them without resentment. Carnegie’s famous books teaches everyone how to climb the business ladder.
Our key takeaway: Be genuinely interested in other people and be a good listener.
The world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage. He has little competition.
3 – “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek
In business, it’s not the who, what, or when. It’s why. Simon Sinek dissects how purpose drives successful businesses.
Our key takeaway: People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it.
You don’t hire for skills, you hire for attitude. You can always teach skills.
4 – “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
Ries divulges why new businesses fail and how you can prevent it, encouraging the constant development, adjustment, and adaptation of your company. We’ve worked with a lot of startups over the years and having these insights as well as our own experience in running a small business have been invaluable.
Our key takeaway: Only measure what brings actual growth, as this is the only thing thats worth measuring.
Build not only a product that can sell well, but a platform through which to deliver it.
5 – “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz
Horowitz offers the hard truth about running a business, from the founding, running, selling, and managing, offering easy answers to difficult questions.
Our key takeaway: In times of transition the best thing a leader can do is let people know where they stand and be present.
Being a good company doesn’t matter when things go well, but it can be the difference between life and death when things go wrong. Things always go wrong. Being a good company is an end in itself.