There are so many great business books out there! And if you post on social media asking for recommendations on what to read, you’ll get a really LONG list of books! They are probably all great! But I’ve found a few books that when I read my overwhelming thought was, “WHY DIDN’T I HEAR ABOUT THIS SOONER!”
So here’s 3 books that I think EVERY business owner should read, as soon as possible in their business. And 1 that I think should be required reading before you are even allowed to get an EIN!
- Good to Great by Jim Collins: Good to great is a study of companies that went from average to great and analyzes the characteristics that all of those companies possessed. When you read this book, you’ll think about your company differently. It’s easy to be consumed with the here and now. Good to great will cause you to shift into working for where you are going rather than where you are today. When I read this book, I immediately started building a stronger corporate culture for my team. I understood more what was required of me as the leader of the company. And I would find myself getting ready to make the mistakes that had kept other companies from reaching greatness and I was able to course correct!
- The E-myth by Michael Gerber: This one has been around for a long time and for good reason! It nails the problems the majority of small business owners face. This book will teach you what your job is as an entrepreneur and save you hears of headache! At the heart of the book is the painful truth that being skilled in your field does not make you a good business owner! And that if you build your business off of the skill of one person, you don’t have a company. In 1986 Michael was teaching entrepreneurs to build their companies off of systems. That is LONG before we had CRMS and automation at our fingertips. I recommend you read this book during your first year of business!
- How to get a meeting with anyone by Stu Heinecke: This is the newest book on my list, but I’m going to admit it is the book I find myself recommending most often. If you’ve followed me for a while and been on any trainings or conversations with me you know that I am a proponent of having a year long marketing plan. I think every business owner should have at least 7 different things they do to bring leads into the business, and this book almost makes me question the necessity of all that! When you are a small business owner marketing is both essential, and too expensive. You know you always need more. And you know you are always running out of cash. Stu teaches contact marketing in his book and it is one of the most effective, and least expensive ways to bring GREAT leads into your business. I think it contact marketing should be one of the core strategies all businesses are using in their marketing plan. And while I can’t quite go so far as to say it replaces the need to do any other type of marketing, I definitely think you are missing the boat if you don’t have it in your plan!
And now for the grand finale! This book should be required reading before you even are allowed to launch!
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: Knowing how to make money is one thing. But how you manage that money is EVERYTHING! Profit first will teach you how to ensure your business is always profitable, your taxes are always paid, you always have the money set aside that you need to cover expenses and that you are never over spending. This book will truly protect your money and if you haven’t read it yet, go buy it today!
What are your favorite books? I’d love to use a few of my audible credits this month so hit me up and tell me what to read next!