There are literally thousands of books on every aspect of business from start up to management to marketing. You could spend a lifetime reading about managing your business rather than running your business. Not very effective! There are however, some books that have stood the test of time and, in my humble opinion, should be rendered dog-eared and tattered by every small business owner. You can buy these books at almost any bookstore, or borrow them from your local library. Please note, these books are not in any particular order.
The e-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
This powerful book has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of small business owners. Gerber shows you that being able to do the things your business does (cut hair, design buildings, fly aircraft) does not necessarily mean that you have the skill set to manage a business. He shows you how to work “ON” instead of just “IN” your business.
The Pursuit of Wow!: Every Person’s Guide to Topsy-Turvy Times by Tom Peters
Do you stand out from your competitors? Do your customers say “Wow!” every time they interact with you? Tom Peters shows you why it’s critical to excel at customer service to survive.
Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Levinson
Every business owner, large and small, wants information on how to market effectively at a low (or no) cost. This book, along with the others in the series, gives hands-on advice to readers to gain media attention and market their companies.
Extraordinary Guarantees: A New Way to Build Quality Throughout Your Company & Ensure Satisfaction for Your Customers by Christopher W. Hart
An unusual take on “the customer is always right” philosophy. This book looks at the benefits of making the buying decision risk-free for your customers.
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and Your Life by Spencer Johnson
This quick read (only 96 pages) uses the metaphor of mice in a box who always know where their cheese is. The mice react in different ways when their cheese is moved one day. It is an outstanding look at change management and how to deal with the surprises life brings us all.
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by James C. Collins
This book looks at companies that have stood the test of time and have not only survived but flourished while their competitors have fallen by the wayside. Learn how you can structure your business the same way and ensure that it’s around a hundred years from now.
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
This is the book that first showed us how 80% of our success comes from 20% of our effort. Koch helps us to focus on that 20% to get the best results. Every business owner should read this to find out how to achieve more with less!
The One-Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard
This book is an easy read, but a crucial one. It contains the parable of a young man in search of world-class management skills. It covers goal-setting, motivating, training, praising and reprimanding employees. The book also explains the organizational science behind the reasons that such simple techniques work so effectively.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Covey has studied the habits that are common amongst the world’s most successful people and has distilled them down into integrated principles. A fantastic guide to living with fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity- principles that will set you and your business apart.
Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen
This book is applicable to all areas of a business owner’s life. It takes a holistic view of the entrepreneur’s life and shows the necessity of having several sources of income flowing into your bank account to help you survive financial risk.
Marketing Your Services: For People Who Hate to Sell by Rick Crandall
In my opinion, this is one of the best books on marketing services. It shows you how to focus on building relationships instead of selling. If you think you’re paying too much for advertising space and you want to get “free” advertising, this is the book for you!
Angie Mohr is a chartered accountant and certified management accountant. She can be heard regularly on radio with Small Business Survival Tips. Mohr is also a business columnist for a large daily newspaper and has written many articles for business magazines.