If you run a business, there is a good chance you have been advised to read specific books by numerous people. Mostly these consist of the same books, the ones that somehow got onto the ubiquitous list that coaches, business leaders and mentors alike all then repeat.
Some of those books may be on the list that follows, but we have tried to give a set of books that will help you both in life AND in business. Our approach is more holistic and intended to help you gain a more rounded life as a whole, not just learn some business things that might help you a bit.
At Altitude, this is our ethos.
Helping you increase your altitude personally, financially and completely. So, without further ado, here is our list:
- 12 Rules for Life – Jordan B. Peterson
This book is a worldwide best seller hitting over 3 million copies sold at latest count in January 2019. The book, as its title would suggest, is split into twelve parts each one detailing a rule to follow in order to give yourself the best chance of a happy life. It crosses boundaries between work and personal life, relationships and friendships and gives a refreshing perspective on life and its trials. Though predominantly written for a male audience it will help anyone gain a better perspective. Highly recommended.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
This is one of the books you will often hear name-dropped in seminars and business events. Though again it spans more than just work, it helps give you a good perspective on living an effective life, not just an effective work life. It details the habits that the most successful people display, explains their impact on life and helps you understand how you can start forming the same habits. Another strong recommendation.
- The Emyth – Michael E. Gerber
Completely business-focused, this book details in excellent clarity the systems, processes, approaches and methods employed by the most successful businesses. It helps you understand your business from an outside perspective, covering everything from customer experience to employee management and everything between. Whatever your business industry or size this book will definitely help.
- Cashvertising – Drew Eric Whitman
A mix of consumer psychology, content marketing and advertising principles, this book has received rave reviews on sites like Amazon and Goodreads for years. While slightly dated, hello 2008, this book still provides great value and a base to understand the real job of your advertising agency or consultant. It is not just about making things look and sound good, its much more than that. Its about influencing people to buy from you and continue to buy from you. Recommended for large corporates to small businesses.
- Strong Woman – Karen Brady
The story of Karen Brady’s rise to multi-millionaire businesswoman. Inspirational, motivational and empowering this book cannot fail to give a dose of self-belief to its reader. Though it is predominantly written for a female audience anyone can benefit from hearing the story of how confidence, bravery and perseverance can pay off.
- Leading – Sir Alex Ferguson
An author who needs no introduction, Sir Alex Ferguson’s real skill and the secret behind his success was his leadership. His ability to inspire others around him, get the best out of his team and create a harmony and atmosphere of achievement made him the most successful manager in English football history and the most famous football manager in the world. Leading explains his ethos, his approach and his principles that guided him to make those around him overachieve.
- Eureka Moments – Steve Clarke
A personal friend of ours Steve Clarke is a world-renowned sales coach and professional speaker. With a long history of success in a variety of different businesses, including a number of exit sales Steve chronicled his approaches and principles in this short, easy to read, easy to digest and impactful book.
- Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
One of the first business books I read at business school, Napoleon Hill combined the wisdom from more than 500 of America’s most successful individuals and created his “Philosophy of Achievement”. Think and Grow Rich has become an influential book for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and individual thinkers alike. A refreshing twist on a business book, there is no mention of “money,” “wealth,” “finances,” or “stocks” within Hill’s text. He takes a different approach, focusing on breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent many of us from attaining our own fortunes.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** – Mark Manson
Written by blogger Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck was first published in 2016. Not to for the faint-hearted, Manson argues that life’s struggles give us meaning and purpose and that the mindless perpetuance of positivity and continued self-improvement pushed in modern-day self-help books are neither practical nor helpful. Mark Manson provides a refreshing perspective on how you can deal with the challenges of life, be successful and still not become a burnt-out workaholic.
- The End of Marketing as we Know It – Sergio Zyman
Sergio Zyman is the Mexican-born former CMO of the Coca Cola corporation. Specifically, he lead the company through its heyday throughout the 90’s when it first hit its billion units a day sales milestone. Now a marketing consultant, Zyman details not only what they did at Coca Cola, but the way he approaches marketing, a very different way to its traditional approach. And the proof of that is plain for all to see!
If you would like to talk to us about your business and personal journey, please do get in touch with us today!
