Five Books for Entrepreneurs
Most entrepreneurs will glean information from lots of sources; rarely do they just wing it when opening a new business. Books on entrepreneurship are a great way to get information and advice, especially if you don’t have a personal mentor. There are some books that consistently make it on the top entrepreneurship book lists, and for good reason. In this edition of LOKAL Lists, we’ve given you information on five books for entrepreneurs that we think are worthy.
The List
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
- Collins’ insightful book lends a unique perspective to why some companies are kind of successful and why others are really, really successful. Collins and team defined what “business greatness” meant then looked at businesses’ financial performance. They analyzed how these businesses achieved success and presented their findings in this neat little book.
- The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
- This is a great book for beginning entrepreneurs—not for the experienced, as the advice Ries provides is fairly general. However, beginners beware that Ries also goes against a lot of the standard advice, like instead of writing an elaborate business plan, Ries’ approach is one where businesses consistently test their vision and adapt and adjust accordingly. Innovation and pivoting is key to success with the approach Reis presents.
- Elegant Entrepreneur: The Female Founders Guide to Starting & Growing Your First Company by Danielle Tate
- Some books give “advice” that is so general, it’s a worthless read. Danielle Tate, however, does not do this. Her specific, clear, and accessible step-by-step directions on how to start a business make this book a definite read. Guys, don’t let the name turn you off—you should read it, too. Tate tells her own story of starting MrsNowMiss.com and provides examples and quotes from many other entrepreneurs.
- Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel
- Status quo. Reinventing the wheel. Taking it to the next level. These things won’t cut it anymore according to Thiel. Entrepreneurs must literally think outside the box and see the world in a new light. The key takeaway in Zero to One is how to do just this and how to ask the questions that “lead you to find value in unexpected places.”
- Explosive Growth: A Few Things I Learned While Growing To 100 Million Users – And Losing $78 Million by Cliff Lerner
- Readers praise this book for its entertainment factor as well as insights. Lerner started a successful dating app, and the book details his journey. He gives great tips for growth and also lists other books and resources that helped him out along the way.
What are you reading?
Let us know what you think and what entrepreneurship books you’ve read that have influenced you!
Or, come see us at one of our LOKAL events and tell us there!
