Nine Books That Every Entrepreneur Should Own

For a more comprehensive book list, click here .

 

Creating a business can be an intimidating task. It is also a rewarding creative process. It is never smart to start, or continue running, a business blindly, no matter how good your entrepreneurial instinct is. The books listed below are ten books that will help any entrepeneur refine their business instinct and establish a satisfying (and hopefully, profitable) business.

 

These books are also great for any individual that will be managing any type of creative process, so even if you do not have (or plan on having) your own business, the content of these books will help you to succeed.

 

Built to Last (Collins / Porras)

Compares "visionary" companies with other companies in the same industry, for example: Disney and Columbia Pictures, Ford and General Motors, Motorola and Zenith, and Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments. Identifies common characteristics among the visionary companies.

 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business (Paulson / Layton)

A one-stop resource for the budding entrepreneur. Information on e-commerce, how to deal with finance, how to hire employees, understanding taxes and growing your business.

 

The E-Myth Revisited (Gerber)

Dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows you how some common assumptions get in the way of your business’ success. Also discusses the difference between working in your company and working on your company.

 

Good to Great (Jim Collins)

Outlines the common traits between eleven of the world’s most successful companies. Includes dozens of stories and real-world examples from the greatest companies as well as the not-so-great. Offers a road map to excellence that any organization can follow.

 

The Greatest Salesman in the World (Og Mandino)

An invaluable guide to a philosophy of salesmanship. Makes the principles of sales known to a wide audience. Set in the time just before Christianity, weaving mythology and spirituality into an inspirational message for this self-promoting culture.

 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Kiyosaki, Robert T.)

Uses the author’s own personal experiences with his own dad, a well educated but fiscally poor man, and his best friend’s dad, an eighth grade dropout who became a self-made multi-millionaire.

 

The Richest Man in Babylon (George S. Clason)

Reveals the success secrets of the ancients through a number of Babylonian parables. Uses straightforward, easy to understand principles to introduce the most basic rules of growing

wealth.

 

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey)

Gives a holistic, principle-centered approach for solving professional and personal problems. Reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity.

 

The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell)

An analysis of how seemingly small ingredients can come together to catalyze major changes in social institutions (including businesses).