Are you (somewhat) interested in going into business, but have no clue where to start your learning?
Have you thought about doing business as mission – using business as a means of helping other people? Or maybe you’re just curious about business, but find it confusing, vague, or “too hard” for you?
I’ve had several conversations recently with people interested in business, but not sure where to start their learning. Some are interested in doing business as mission and others just want to learn the basics of business.
Listed below are seven books that were monumental in teaching me the fundamentals of business and business as mission. They were a vital part in helping me start my freelancing career, and I am sure they will help you no matter what kind of work you hope to do.
Click on the book title to purchase the book, and click on the author’s name to go to his or her website/blog. NOTE: All these books listed here are affiliate links, which means I make money if you buy the books through these links :)
1. The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
by Josh Kaufman
The Personal MBA is an MBA in a book – except that you’ll save over $70,000 that you would pay to get your degree from an actual brick and mortar graduate school. This book has the essentials that you need to understand about business, communicated in a clear, simple, and understandable way. (No abstract academia concepts here!) If you’re interested in learning about business, but have no clue where to start your business education, this book is for you!
2. EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
by Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey’s New York Times bestselling book EntreLeadership is a straightforward, practical, and helpful business education in one book. You will learn the essentials of business from a man who has built a multimillion dollar company from his living room and knows what it takes to win in business. This book with The Personal MBA are two of the best books for learning the fundamentals of business; I HIGHLY recommend them both!
3. Anything You Want
by Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers founded CD Baby, which he later sold for millions. In this book he shares his story, his failures, and what he learned along the way to help you on your entrepreneurial/business journey. Highly inspiring and encouraging book for entrepreneurs. If you’re someone who thinks, “I can’t do this”, you NEED to read this book.
4. Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
by Seth Godin
One of my favorite books ever, and an excellent book that will help you see your work/job/career/life with more purpose. Whether you want to work for a company, start a business, be a teacher, become a professional blogger, start a a bakery, or be a stay at home mom, this book will sell you on doing your work with remarkability, art, and purpose, and doing the type of work that only you can do. Read this book and apply it and you’ll be an indespensible worker, no matter what field of work you’re in.
5. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
by Chris Guillebeau
I’m a huge fan of Chris Guillebeau, and I am SO stoked for his new book, The $100 Startup. This book comes out May 2012 and is all about showing you “how to lead a life of adventure, meaning, and purpose – and earn a good living.” (from the books website, www.100startup.com .) You should also check out his first book, The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
6. The Poor Will Be Glad: Joining the Revolution to Lift the World Out of Poverty
by Phil Smith and Peter Greer
This book is what first got me interested in business as mission, and started me down the journey of asking, “how can I use business to help alleviate poverty around the world?” A great book by two guys who know how to help people with business, microfinance, and other employment solutions.
7. The Zen of Social Media Marketing
by Shama Kabani
If you are going to be in business, the internet and social media will only help you (if you use them effectively). This book teaches you how to use the internet and social media effectively. Although the books primarily focuses on social media, there is still a lot on websites, search-engine optimization (SEO), and online marketing in general to get you started. HIGHLY recommend this book, whether you want to go into internet marketing or any field of work.
It’s been said that, “Leaders are readers and readers are leaders.” These books are sure to turn you into a leader, no matter what field of work you want to go into. Read the books, apply them, and do great work.
Question: What’s one book you have found to be essential for beginning entrepreneurs to read? Share with us in the comments below!
Image courtesy of mconnors
I’d like to add one, Roman, that I’ve been recently reading and it has become something that I can only describe as genius, practical, and possibly game-changing. It runs side by side with Dale Carenegie’s timeless book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Check out, “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi.
Paul, thanks so much from sharing! I’ve heard great things about that book from different people, so it’s good to hear you’re feedback about the book as well. Will definitely have to check it out!