Whenever we decide to embark on any initiative, it is convenient to read on the subject to acquire knowledge that will help us succeed in our efforts and learn from the experience of the experts in the field in question.
And undertaking must not be different. If you plan to start your own company, there is a whole series of books that you should read.
These are 8 of the essential books for any entrepreneur.
1. Generation of business models, by Alexander Osterwalder
One of the first steps when starting up a company is probably to establish the business plan well. With the ideas drawn from 470 professionals in the field of business models from 45 countries, the book offers insight into the simple and basic and advanced complex models used by entrepreneurs and companies around the world.
A respected and modernized tool. Instead of talking about traditional business plans, it focuses on lean canvas models, etc. An excellent book.
2. How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie
This is an old school book. A classic that stirred up positive thinking after the Great Depression. In fact, they say it is the best selling book in US history after the Bible.
First published in 1936, it was a self-help book even before this genre was taken seriously. Why is it still relevant? Because learning the tug of war, the motivations and trends of other people is essential for entrepreneurs, executives and entrepreneurs.
Whether in negotiation with third parties or to inspire employees, personal skills are essential. You also have to praise Carnegie for choosing a great title. They say that all the people who have gone far have read it.
3. The power of habits: Why we do what we do in life and in
business, by Charles Duhigg
Duhigg’s foray into the trends of companies, leaders and individuals has to do with perception. By understanding the patterns of human behavior – and the power of the human mind to form patterns or recalibrate the old ones – predictions can be made from which an entrepreneur can profit.
4. The Lean Startup method: How to create successful
companies using continuous innovation, by Eric Ries
It is a buzzword now, the “lean startup”, but only because it is useful for many young companies and for those who are founders for the first time.
Technology has made it possible for businesses to be created quickly and with little money, with an Internet market of billions. A “lean” model elimtes all operations that involve waste and everything for which a customer is not willing to pay more.
Alternatively, the Steve Blank Lean Startup MOOC Course is highly recommended.
5. The intelligent investor, by Benjamin Graham
This is the best investment an entrepreneur can make.
Markets have changed since Graham published his work in 1949 but his allegorical style, which humanizes the ups and downs of the indexes, is probably the way in which the basic concepts of stock markets have been explained for the first time to all generations of investment students since then.
It is still worth taking a look at Mr. Graham Market – a character that is both adorable and confusing – for anyone who wants to understand the game of commerce.
6. Cold Calling Techniques (That Really Work) by Stephen
Schiffman
It may seem a bit archaic to those whose minds are permanently connected to the latest communication technologies, but, like it or not, as entrepreneurs we will have to pick up the phone and convince someone we don’t know well to do something that benefits us greatly measure. Imagine the power of developing a skill like that; That is the purpose of this book.
7. The Founder’s Dilemma, by Noam Wasserman
More information about the management of people and resources of a company. Wasserman’s work approaches on preventing disasters through preparedness. In a sense, it is a map of the dangers that can be encountered when starting up a company.
Have we ever wondered why it is risky to start a business with friends? Why are new business teams that share many common interests a bad combination? How to divide the benefits without going into conflict? This book can answer those questions.
8. Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
Why should an aspiring entrepreneur read Jobs’s biography? There are several reasons, the least important being an inspiring story of creativity, struggle, success and redemption. It is also a warning story: new business minds and inventors can learn from Jobs’s weaknesses in dealing with friends and colleagues.
They will also be forced to reflect on what success really means and if the price we pay to realize our vision is too high (or even necessary).
