Top 5 Books Every Business Owner Should Read

Posted 8 April By Hanju Lee—Resources—No Comments

Top 5 Books Every Business Owner Should Read

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing some of our favorite resources. Today, I’ve got some book recommendations for you, but before we get to the list, I just want to emphasize: I have personally vetted each of the selections below and given them my Hanju seal of approval.

I think this is important, because to be honest, there’s a lot of business books I hate. I don’t like how they tend to impose their ideas on others in a “lecturing” type of format, assuming their own path to success will automatically produce the same results for others. I find this to be false and exhausting.

The books I go for are backed with in-depth research, offering insight into things they learned along the way. The best writers pass on this information out of a genuine desire to help others.

Here are some of my favorites that made me go “hmmmmm”:

1. E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. I recommend this book as a business 101 must-read for anyone and everyone thinking about going into business for themselves. A lot of us have a false expectation of what running a business is. We often end up “buying” a job rather than “running” a business. The best line to sum up the message from this book is, “Don’t work IN the business, work ON the business.”

2. Story Brand by Donald Miller. This book simply lays out the foundational truth to successful marketing for every business. Every company has a story, and every story has a hero. Don’t be the hero – you are in business to make your customer the hero. Don’t focus on how great you are, focus on what you can do FOR THEM. This book is full of practical and executable ideas and thoughts to implement into every aspect of your current marketing.

3. They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan. This is all about content marketing and a guide to adding valuable content to your brand. The more content you create, the more chances you have to reach those who need your help. And why create valuable content to help others? One word…”TRUST.” Building trust is a key to your success.

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is a great “self help” book that uses science and study to show how habitual changes happen. It’s NOT about setting goals but about creating systems. Whoa!! Adding a small, almost insignificant practice to your daily routine and repeating it over time can make a profound difference. There are 4 major laws of behavior change you can follow to accomplish anything you put your mind to.

5. Give and Take by Adam Grant. Are you a giver or a taker? Givers like to give more than they get; takers like to get more than they give. The end result of each characteristic has been researched and studied and the findings will blow you away. We are taught to be bold, authoritative, aggressive, hungry, ambitious, confident and even pushy to make it to the top in business. No one teaches us to be overly generous, empathetic and kind, even though it’s proven to be the most effective way to do business. You gotta read it to see how – you’ll love hearing the stories of real people and why they give.

I hope you feel inspired to pick up one of these books – I really believe they contain valuable secrets that will help you and your business grow. Consider this your email book club – I’d love to talk more about what you’re reading and support you however I can.