Running a small business can be challenging as the business owner is often pulled in many different directions and has to deal with uncertainties, adverse situations, and time constraints. While you may think you have no time for books, the insights you can gain from seasoned entrepreneurs may save you time, money, and grief in the long run!
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber – A required reading for any small business owner. Michael uses engaging story-telling to share his ideas about what makes a small business successful. He draws concepts in the franchising world to show how to gain scalability. He also explains what it means to be working on your business instead of in it.
Street Smarts: An All-Purpose Tool Kit for Entrepreneurs by Norm Brodsky – A regular columnist at Inc. magazine with three decades of entrepreneur experience and eight companies under his belt, Norm believes the key to success for business owners is to instill good mental habits – Ways of thinking that allows you to deal with many different situations and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants by Tom Gegax – Tom distills his years of business experience into simple, palatable, and relevant lessons. The well-organized format makes it a great reference for any small business owner.
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie – This timeless classic describes principles and techniques for managing interpersonal relationships and communicating effectively. The skills are applicable to anyone working with employees, partners, customers, and vendors.
Duct Tape Marketing Revised & Updated: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide by John Jantsch – Since customers are the lifeblood of any business, marketing is a crucial skill every small business owner should be very familiar with and learn constantly. John explores marketing concepts and provides a good framework for implementing marketing campaigns.
