Sammie Ellard-King
I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.
When it comes to choosing the best business books for small business, it’s no easy task.Â
The reality is that there are thousands upon thousands of these, all looking to offer small business tips that call you to greater things.Â
What makes a small business book good, or even great, depends very much on what you want to achieve.
You will find books offering small business tips on money management and others providing insight into how to manage your productivity.Â
Then you’ll find others inspire you to become a great leader. What makes the best business book for small business for you could be very different to someone else.
That being said, when it comes to creating our list, we’ve ensured that we’ve included a healthy mix of these book types. That means that, regardless of the small business tips that you’re looking for, these books will provide you with the answers.
Table of Contents
Why do books for small businesses matter?
There are plenty of business books out there so you may be wondering why does there need to be a focus on small business. The truth is that small business is big business.Â
What small businesses add to the UK economy is nothing short of phenomenal. If these businesses all suddenly disappeared overnight, then the UK landscape would be extremely bleak.Â
That’s why books that offer small business tips are invaluable. Whether you want to start your own small business or buy a business these books will set you on the right pathway.
The best business books for small businesses include advice that you can take hold of and actually implement. They offer the kind of insight and tips that can take your business to the next level.Â
So, if you’re looking to boost the fortunes of your small business, whether you’re looking to grow as an entrepreneur or just to survive, here’s a look at the top 10 books that you need to be adding to your reading list.
1) Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap, & Others Don't - Jim Collins
Okay, so the title is a little of a mouthful, to say the least, but the truth is that it tells you all that you need to know about this business book for small business.Â
Collins takes the time to explore what happens within business and what’s the 411.Â
He searches to discover how you can take an okay company to be the next big thing. By sharing his extensive research, the reader is given useful insight into the world of business. A great read.
2) Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
First published back in 1937, Think and Grow Rich is a classic and deserves to rank among the best business books for small business.
The teachings offered by Hill can be applied to all areas of life, but they really hit home with business owners who are looking to make more.
Hill’s work is often over-simplified with claims that all success takes is a little positive thinking. While that is the basis of what Hill teaches, it goes deeper than this.
3) Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
In Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Pink shares with the reader the secret to both high performance and a sense of satisfaction.
His teachings apply to work, home, and even at school. So what is this secret?Â
According to Pink, it’s all about our need, as humans, to direct our own lives, get better, create things, and continually learn.
4) The E-Myth Revisited - Michael Gerber
The E-Myth Revisited has quickly established itself as one of the best business books for small business.Â
Full of small business tips, this book challenges the myths that surround starting a business. It shows you do the do’s and don’ts plus installs confidence in you to start your own.
This is a book that offers practical steps that can be followed to achieve more in life and business.
5)The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point is a book that you need to read if your business involves the sale of products. In this book, Gladwell explores the whole concept of tipping points.Â
He looks at the timings of when an idea or trend reaches a certain level before spreading and spreading. Here, you’ll find small business tips that will really bring actionable benefits.
I rate this as one of the best business books of all time. I loved it from start to finish.
6) How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
If you’ve ever explored small business books, then you will have no doubt come across How to Win Friends and Influence People.
This is another all-time classic and one that contains an abundance of small business tips. As the title suggests, Carnegie’s approach is all about relationships and these are the foundation of success.
7) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
7 Highly Habits isn’t just about business. Why Covey provides in these pages is a holistic approach to getting your personal and professional life to where you want them.
I found this book quite heavy but it’s one that is certainly worth the time and effort.Â
By following Covey’s step-by-step pathway, your life will improve immensely and I use a lot of what I learnt in this book everyday.
8) Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
When it comes to the best business books for small businesses, you may not have expected Steve Jobs to be featured. After all, he was head of a corporate giant and famous the world over.Â
However, through numerous interviews with Jobs himself, his family, his colleagues, and his competitors, there are some amazing insights and lessons offered.
I think this is a must read for any aspiring businessman or woman.
9) Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose - Tony Hsieh
If you’re keen to read small business tips, then you’ll find that there is plenty to take on board from Delivering Happiness.
Here, you get an insight into the journey of Hsieh as he went from starting a worm farm, running a pizza business, and every other business along the way.Â
I found this book to be nothing short of inspirational.
10) Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity - David Allen
If like most business owners, you find yourself procrastinating, ‘Getting Things Done’ could easily be your saviour.
This book is full of small business tips that can see you increasing your productivity, all while being able to sit back and relax.Â
Following Allen’s system can bring huge benefits to life and business together.
What I really liked about this book is how you can implement David’s strategies right away and they actually make a huge affect on your life.
Are business books worth reading?
Business books can be worth reading as they often provide valuable insights, strategies, and knowledge that can enhance your understanding of business concepts, improve decision-making, and inspire innovation.
However, the value derived depends on the quality of the book, its relevance to your goals or industry, and how effectively you apply the knowledge gained.
The most important thing here is application. You can read all the business books in the world but if you do not take action then there is almost no point!
Do CEOs read a lot of books?
Many CEOs are known to be avid readers. They often attribute a part of their success and leadership qualities to the knowledge and perspectives gained from books.
Reading widely, including business books, biographies, and even fiction, can help CEOs to think more critically, understand diverse viewpoints, and stay abreast of trends and strategies.
Notable examples include Bill Gates, who is known for his extensive reading habits and book recommendations, and Warren Buffett, who reportedly spends about 80 percent of his day reading. However, reading habits can vary, and not all CEOs may read extensively.
How do people find good business ideas?
Finding good business ideas often involves a blend of creativity, research, and understanding market needs. Here are several approaches:
Solve a Problem: Often the best business ideas stem from identifying a problem or pain point in your own life or in the lives of others and coming up with a solution.
Market Research and Trends: Keep an eye on market trends and consumer preferences. Engage in research to find gaps in the market where you can provide value.
Leverage Your Skills and Passion: Reflect on your skills and passions. Building a business around what you’re good at and passionate about can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling venture.
Innovation and Improvement: Sometimes, innovation doesn’t mean inventing something new. It can be about taking an existing product or service and making it better.
Reading Business Books: Business books can be a treasure trove of inspiration. They can provide insights into how successful entrepreneurs have identified opportunities and built their businesses.
Networking and Collaboration: Talk to people in your industry, attend events, and participate in online forums. Sometimes a casual conversation can spark a great idea.
Consider the Needs of Specific Demographics:
- For Women: Business ideas that cater for women can be particularly impactful. This includes businesses centered around women’s health, female entrepreneurship, work-life balance solutions, or products specifically designed for women.
- For Men: Similarly, focusing on products or services tailored for men, such as men’s grooming, fitness, mental wellness, or male fashion can be lucrative.
Validate Your Idea: Once you have an idea, validate it by seeking feedback from potential customers, conducting surveys, and possibly creating a minimal viable product (MVP) to test the market response.
Further Reading
Conclusion
If you’re looking to start a small business, then doing your research via reading, listening and watching videos will hugely help you.Â
The last thing you want to do is dive right in without some solid foundations.Â
We hope you found this reading list for small business books valuable.Â
Let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed any of these books or, indeed, have any to add.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
