5 Books for Business-Starters

January 23, 2013 by 6 Comments

I’m about to hand over a book to someone I’m coaching on his career direction. This made me think: if someone was considering starting their own business, what books would I recommend as “required reading” before taking the plunge?

Here’s a handful:

BooksPurple Cow, by Seth Godin – Differentiate, or don’t bother

Enchantment, by Guy Kawasaki – Develop yourself and your people skills above all

The Entrepreneur Equation, by Carol Roth – Delineate how your idea will actually turn into a successful business

Amazing Things Will Happen, by C.C. Chapman – Dream and then do

The $100 Startup, by Chris Guillebeau – Don’t wait: opportunity surrounds you.

Each of these books is practical, straightforward, and approachable. In combination, they provide an excellent mix of the idealism and realism that are both required for entrepreneurs.

>>Your turn – what would be on your recommended reading list for new entrepreneurs?

(note: links to book titles above are Amazon affiliate links – which means if you buy from Amazon through following this link, I might earn a few shekels!)

Filed under Reviews Tagged with , , , , , , ,

About Steve Woodruff
Steve Woodruff is a blogger, a Connection Agent, and a consultant in the pharma/healthcare industry. He specializes in helping people and companies make mutually beneficial connections.

6 Responses to 5 Books for Business-Starters

  1. Jon Swanson says:
    January 23, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    thanks for this list, steve. I’m not an entreprenuer, but I talk with them all the time.

  2. Jay Oza says:
    January 25, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    Steve,

    Good selection.

    My favorite has always been “Bootstrapping Your Business” by Greg Gianforte (who started Rightnow, now Oracle). I am surprised no one ever picks this book. It is from a guy who has started a company and took it public and then sold it to Oracle. The book focuses on his early days when he started it from nothing in Bozeman, Montana.

    @5ToolGroup

  3. Jim D says:
    January 25, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    “Think and Grow Rich” (Napoleon Hill). 70+ years later, and still some great principles to consider for motivation.

  4. Pingback: This Week In Small Business: 1,000 New Bankers - NYTimes.com

  5. Pingback: This Week In Small Business: 1000 New Bankers - BusinessWorld Ads

  6. Pingback: NYT: This Week in Small Business: 1,000 New Bankers « Gene Marks