Top 25 Books to Help You Grow Your Business

Reading keeps you competitive, innovative and open to new ideas. Here are my top book recommendations ranked by the impact I believe they’ll have on your life and business. 

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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 08, 2008

  Thanks for the additional resources, Robbin!
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  Posted by Jennifer Manlowe, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Mar 08, 2008

  I know it may seem like a luxury to promote "getting clear" about your uniqueness/specialness when you NEED more clients NOW but, I can't tell you how helpful my favorite marketing books have been to me:

  Dr. Linda Falkenstein's "NICHECRAFT: Using Your Specialness to Focus Your Business, Corner Your Market and Make Customers Seek You Out"

  Jay Conrad Levinson's "Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits"

  Of course, my own daily, vocational-clarity journal -- 2 paragraphs a day -- is available right now as an e-download.

  http://stores.lulu.com/jmanlowe

  Like a bow-an-arrow, pulling back skillfully can help you focus, aim and zoom forward with on-target power.
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  Posted by Judy Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Mar 08, 2008

  So many books. So little time!

  Thanks, Amber. I'm going to get a copy of SIMPLE ABUNDANCE. I think I could use some more of that in my life.

  There was a forum thread not too long ago called "Sacred Texts" or something. It's surprising how many good books were recommended that I had never read. I need to save this list!
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Mar 08, 2008

  One of the features I'm dreaming about adding to Biznik is a way for you to post your favorite books on your profile, which will then allow us to connect you to other members who share that book as their favorite. And, it'll allow us to create groups around each book, for further discussion, and even events such as business book club meetings. Is that something that would resonate with anyone?

  Follow me on Twitter - @danmccomb
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  Posted by Judy Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Mar 08, 2008

  Yes! Thanks, Dan. Books can be powerful. It's also fun to see how they have impacted people's lives and it gives you a little insight into people you meet (by the books they read). I love your idea.
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Mar 08, 2008

  Another cool thing we could do after having that feature in place is show what business books are most popular with the entire community here on Biznik. That would be interesting to know, and helpful to discover interesting books you might otherwise miss.

  Follow me on Twitter - @danmccomb
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 09, 2008

  Sorry I'm slow with my replies, everyone. I have family in town this weekend, so my computer time has been cut short. Thanks for all of the comments, though! I really appreciate it.

  Jennifer - Thanks for the new books and resources. I'll have to add them to my list (after my book ban, of course). :)

  Judy - Simple Abundance is my absolute favorite. I've read it several times, and I'm going through it again right now. It just has a way of centering you and grounding you to what's important in life. I love it. Let me know what you think after you've read it.

  Dan - That would be great! I would DEFINITELY use something like that. If you check my blog, I make quite a bit of book recommendations, and if there was an easier way, I'd make even more. I love to hear what others are reading, too. It's just a great way to connect.
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  Posted by Joe Hage, Seattle, Washington | Mar 09, 2008

  One of my favorites is Influence: The Power of Persuasion, by Robert Cialdini. You can read a short summary of it here and leave a comment/rating when you have a moment. It's an easy way for you to increase your visibility in the community.

  Joe
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Mar 09, 2008

  I love your website, Amber! UpstartSmart is an awesome name, too. Nice work!

  Follow me on Twitter - @danmccomb
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 09, 2008

  Joe - Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll run over to the post and check out the summary. It sounds really interesting.

  Dan - Thanks! I'm so glad to hear that you like the website and name. I'm very happy with both of them.
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  Posted by Mike Miller, Charleston, South Carolina | Mar 11, 2008

  Great list! I thought I was the only one who read: The Velveteen Principles: A Guide to Becoming Real, Hidden Wisdom from a Children's Classic.

  thanks for being "real"!
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 11, 2008

  Thanks, Mike! You're not the only one, Velveteen Principles is great.
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  Posted by Carol Skolnick, Santa Cruz, California | Mar 11, 2008

  I'd like to recommend three very practical, self-published books:

  The Way of the Accidental Entrepreneur: The Practical Path to Building a Business that Fits "Just Right" - by biznik member Molly Gordon of Washington State.

  Unveiling the Heart of Your Business by biznik member Mark Silver of Oregon.

  And, um, my eBook :-), Transformational Inquiry: Working on Your Work, available at Clear Life Solutions
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 11, 2008

  Thanks for the recommendations, Carol.
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  Posted by Chris Haddad, Seattle, Washington | Mar 11, 2008

  Amber,

  Good list. Strangely, I've actually read most of those . . Though I should really reread think and grow rich.

  Culture Code is a total gem. I met the author a while back and he was devastatingly charming . . . and really tall.
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 11, 2008

  Thanks for commenting, Chris. I don't think you could ever read "Think and Grow Rich" enough. Another network member and I were discussing that book just yesterday - great read.

  It's interesting that you met the author of "Culture Code." It's one that definitely makes you think.
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  Posted by Coni Meyers, Portland, Oregon | Mar 13, 2008

  Excellent information. I have one additional book that we used in our training of people that were setting up their own businesses 20 years ago and it is even more relevant today. The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. It is designed for people that have started their own business and then realized they are a technician more than a business owner. It is designed for entrepreneurs from businesses with 1-50 employees.
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  Posted by Kate Burton, WOKINGHAM United Kingdom | Mar 13, 2008

  Hi Amber, Thanks for your list with favourites and new ones. As I look at the loaded business book shelves here, I confess to sharing the healthy addiction to books, both as writer and reader. They're such good value for all that wisdom.

  Having published three titles in the 'for Dummies' series on NLP and Self-Confidence topics, I'm just working on a completely different style of book about planning your escape to the beach house. So I'm checking out the impact of promising titles that jump off the shelves at you. I really like the idea of 'Never Check Email in the Morning.' If we all time-boxed, it would really help focus on the priorities! But I wouldn't be here now...

  Best wishes from the UK side of the pond. Kate www.kateburton.co.uk
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 14, 2008

  Coni -

  Thanks for commenting! The E-Myth is another great book for sure. Millionaire Real Estate Agent is very similar. I love any book that teaches about systems and automation. Thanks for adding it to the list!

  Kate -

  I completely agree. I can't imagine how a small business owner could not be an avid reader. That one habit helps me so much in my business and in my life really.

  When you get that book finished on escaping to the beach house, let me know. My ultimate dream is to have a place on the beach in Hawaii!

  "Never Check Email in the Morning" was very helpful. I don't stick to that particular rule 100% of the time, but I got plenty of tips that changed my working habits quite a bit.

  Thanks for commenting! I'll have to check out your site.
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  Posted by Jack Fecker, Seattle, Washington | Mar 14, 2008

  Amber-Great article! I took the Dale Carnegie course in 1957. I was so bad I believe I flunked the course. Never won a pencil or reward in 14 weeks. I did read the books and still remember how to stop worrying. The Think and Grow Rich book was given to me in 1965 and I put it to good use. Thats when I started writing down my goals and looking at them every week. Reached them all in 6 years and I said wow! This stuff really works. My favorite book this past year is A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. You won"t be able to put it down. I quote it in my article just posted today. Thanks for the book idea.
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  Posted by Amber Singleton, Madisonville, Louisiana | Mar 14, 2008

  Thanks, Jack! I bet the Dale Carnegie course was really interesting.

  Writing down goals is very powerful. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we keep them top of mind.

  I'm going to have to read the book you recommended. You know this means I might have to break my book ban. :) Thanks for the recommendation!
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  Posted by Clyde Lerner, Sunnyvale, California | Oct 13, 2008

  "The Four Hour Work Week" is my current favorite.

  Excellent List. I'm aiming for 4 hour work day by the end of the year, than 4 hour work week by next year's end!