I love reading both read and listen to books a lot. The recomendations below are normally available as paper books, kindle books and audio books.
These are my “must-read” books for all entrepreneurs out there. I should empasise that these are my choices based on what works for me. I am sure that other people learn and think differently and will be better off reading books like Donald Trump’s ‘Art of the Deal’, but that’s not really what I am about.
Building a Brand Story – Donald Miller
In my view this is by far the single most practical and implementable business book that has ever been published. I have recomended it to loads of people, as well as used it at Pooch & Mutt. I don’t know anyone who has read it and not implemented the suggestions in some way.
Built to Sell – John Warrillow
This is quite a different business book, in that it is structured as a hypothetical story, but it works. The book helps you to see your business as a product that you are developing to sell to a customer. It’s particularly good for anyone in a service business who thinks that they don’t sell a product. The only bad thing is the narrator on Audible is really annoying, but it’s worth getting past this.
I have included Alchemy in this list, as it’s the most recent book on Behavioural Economics that I have read and it’s entertainingly written. I only wanted one Behavioural Economics book in the list, if I’d allowed myself more I would have included Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely and Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
The Effective Manager – Mark Horstman
I am not a natural manager and I have never been at a big corporation where I’ve had management training. The effective manager gave me a structure to use that I have used to manage my team effectively and to delvelop a management hierarchy in my business, something that has been crucial to it’s success.
The 4-Hour work week – Tim Ferris
Now over 12 years old, but full of timeless wisdom. Tim Ferris himself has refused to update the book because the message still stands. This book was instrumental to my thinking when I set up Pooch & Mutt and the ideas have both stood the test of time and placed us well to deal with the disruptions of the covid pandemic.
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy – William B Irvine
Put simply this is the book that has made the most difference to my life. It wasn’t written as a business book, but stocism has since become ‘a thing’ in the business world and this is IMHO the best book on the subject. Being an entrepreneur you have will face challenges. This books helps you to face challenges and stay sane.
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are – Alan Watts
This is definitely not a business book. It is a book about knowing who you are and your place in the universe. Ultimately it helps you realise that it’s all just a game anyway and if you’re not enjoying yourself what’s the point. If your goal in reading this list is to build yourself a pile of cash while screwing over other people and f**king up the planet, I’d start with this book first.
7 Books that didn’t quite make the Top 7:
This is Marketing – Seth Godin
Growth Hacker Marketing – Ryan Holiday
