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Books That Changed My Business
In the past 9 years or so of running my own business(s), there have read a handful of books that have really made a difference for me in getting to where I am now. These books didn’t change my life overnight after reading them and I didn’t even follow them to the letter, but there were a huge amount of little tidbits of advice that made big differences in my life and I live by them every day.
I consider these books my “secret weapons” and if I forgot everything I knew about business and wanted to get back to where I am now as quickly as possible, I would read these books again: The E-Myth Revisited, The Dip, Rich Dad Poor Dad and How To Win Friends and Influence People (not pictured)
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It – ($7.99 from Amazon)
The E-Myth Revisited is a must read for anyone going into business for themselves. The E-Myth talks about the 3 types of people that start a business. There are the Entrepreneurs, the Managers and the Technicians. The Entrepreneurs are the ones who come up with the ideas and formulates goals in order to accomplish them. The Manager is the person who runs the business on a day to day basis watching over its general operation and finances. The Technician is the “worker bee” who does the job that the business is selling. In our case, this would be the person who fixes computers.
Unfortunately, most of the time it is the Technicians that start a business and this is one of the primary reasons most businesses fail. The technician who just likes to fix computers now has to wear many different hats. They now also have to be a marketer, an accountant, a business manager and more. This book talks about all of these issues and teaches you how to deal with them.
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) – ($10.20 from Amazon)
The Dip is a book that talks about powering through the “rough patch” to become a success. It is a fairly short book but it had some real gems in there for me. It talks about the times when you should throw in the towel and the times you should power through it become a success on the other side. This book may not be for everyone but if you are going though a rough patch yourself, I recommend this book.
How To Win Friends and Influence People ($12.50 on Amazon – Not pictured, I couldn’t find my copy)
How To Win Friends and Influence People has been a life changer for me over the years. I always think about the lessons in this book. This book is about getting people to do what you want them to do, but without being a jerk. People are always looking out for their own interests in one way or another trying to make their way in life. Their motivation might be to have more free time, to have more money or to be famous. This book talks about identifying what they want and working out a way to make what you want and what they want the same thing. This is an incredible skill to have if you frequently have to solve problems with people or do any sort of negotiations.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – ($7.99 on Amazon)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad is all about financial education. You may know someone who is incredibly smart and possibly the smartest person you have ever met. However, chances are they are not the richest person you have ever met because being academically smart does not mean they know the first thing about making money. Sadly, most people dont know this because our schooling system doesn’t teach anything about financial education. This book teaches you the lessons of financial education, helps you understand why rich people tend to stay rich and poor people tend to stay poor and more. The later parts of the book talks about making money in real estate which isn’t relevant for a computer technician but the majority of this book has some real gems of information in it.
So, what books have you read that have made a real difference in your business and personal life?
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I’ve been in business for almost 2 years now and I’m always looking at ways to increase my knowledge as a business owner. These books look like they will help with that. I just ordered Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
Thanks for the recommendations Bryce!!!
My aunt recommended Rich Dad Poor Dad awhile back. After seeing this recommendation I decided to buy it! For $8 w/ 2 day prime shipping I think it’s a heck of a deal!
Also, I recommend watching videos he has online. I’ve only watched one, but it was very easy to understand and he discussed very useful things.
Good article, Bryce! Thanks
Hi. I’m one of the technicians who started a business. That was in 1984, and I’m still in business, and now work from my house, all paid for, in the Snowy Mountains in Victoria. Paid my first house off in 7 years after starting the business, with no financial base or external support.
There is no secret to success. The three books quoted (and yes, I read them some while back; Dale Carnegies book, about 40 years back), and they struck me as being way too closely focused. The thinking encapsulated in them has brought the US to its knees, financially and socially. Let us as Australians not fall prey to the same narrow thinking.
The three books that have largely steered the course of my life, within which business plays only a small part, are these;
First, in 1965, “The Third Eye” by Lobsang Rampa. An intriguing, and many have said peculiar, book. The message from it was that the useful things in life are far from obvious, and to simply learn as much as one can, be incredibly persistent, and keep your mind wide open.
Second would be “The Thief of Time” by Terry Pratchett, similar message, in an entertaining format.
Third, is definitely “The Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi, considered to be Japans greatest swordsman. He lived in the period of the Shogun wars, and was a very interesting man.
Read these for a wider view; business is such a tiny thing. Don’t waste your life.
For what it’s worth.
I liked The E-Myth Revisited, and I’m a big fan of Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad series of books. Here are a few others I’ve liked:
Rework by by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
Crush It!: Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
by Keith Ferrazzi
The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century by Thomas L. Friedman
I too am a computer repair business owner and I ready E-Myth Revisited the first few months I was up and running. When I was first starting out, I knew the vision of the company and where I wanted to take it, E-Myth laid out the plans for me pretty much. I still to this day think of E-myth while I am moving along and changing business practices.
I Agree all great books I’m going to check out the two i have not yet read thanks for the great info. I also enjoyied
“4 hour work week” , this had some Great Tech business tips, Examples Ring Central, Dropbox, Odesk.com and many more.
Thanks Nick
Anthony Robbin’s “Awaken the Giant Within” This is the lost owner’s manual for your mind. Understanding WHY we all do the things that we do is a HUGE advantage in life. Taking control over yourself and aligning your values to help you achieve what you want is one of the keys to success. Anthony has some really good insights to help you accomplish this.
7 habits of highly effective people and Good to Great by Jim Collins best 2 books out there.
Nick, what did you like about the “4 hour work week”? I didn’t care for it.
Maybe the rich do stay rich, but over time most of the “poor” DO NOT stay poor. Most people move from lower income levels in their youth up out of the “poor” category to lower-middle and middle class. Some move beyond middle class. But over time, most people improve their personal income situation.
Of course with economic times such as these, some of us have fallen back and need to build up again.
On the gripping hand, what we call “poor” most of the world would consider “rich.” We don’t know how well off we are.
If you think this if off topic, allow me to quote Pericles, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” If we do not engage in our government’s doings, we may not be able to continue in business at all.
To add to the recommendation list, virtually any of Thomas Sowell’s books, but particularly _Basic Economics_ and _Intellectuals and Society_.
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
Principle1: Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
P2: Give honest, sincere appreciation.
P3: Arouse in the other person an eager want.
Six Ways to Make People Like You
P1: Become genuinely interested in other people.
P2: Smile.
P3: Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
P4: Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
P5: Talk in terms of the other person’s interest.
P6: Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.
Win People to Your Way of Thinking
P1: The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
P2: Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say, “You’re wrong.”
P3: If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
P4: Begin in a friendly way.
P5: Get the other person saying, “yes, yes” immediately.
P6: Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
P7: Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
P8: Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
P9: Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
P10: Appeal to the nobler motives.
P11: Dramatize your ideas.
P12: Throw down a challenge.
Be a Leader
P1: Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
P2: Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
P3: Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
P4: Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
P5: Let the other person save face.
P6: Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.”
P7: Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
P8: Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
P9: Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
The book Sandbox Wisdom COMPLETELY changed my way of thinking. Changed my thinking of business, about dealing with clients, about getting my business up and running again. AMAZING AMAZING book! Found it brand new at Deseret Industries (a store similar to Good Will) for $2.
http://www.amazon.com/Sandbox-Wisdom-Tom-Asacker/dp/1608100111/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289793766&sr=1-2
Og Mandino The greatest Salesman that ever lived. As Og wrote…”As a child I was slave to my impulses; now I am slave to my habits. I have surrendered my free will to the years of accumulated habits and the past deeds of my life have already marked out a path which threatens to imprison my future.” Og continued, “My bad habits must be destroyed and new furrows prepared for good seed.”
Wow! These are all on the reading list of a business that I have been a part of for some time now..
Hey @Don.. “There’s no secret to success”? Ah come on!! You can do way better than that.. It does not matter if you are the garbage collector or if you are Bill Gates: You have to associate yourself and surround yourself with people. The power of association – right? If you have tattoos, your five closest friends probably have tatoos.. You can say the same thing about smoking, incomes, etc. etc.
How about some other books?
(1) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell
(2) Visioneering – Andy Stanley
(3) Today Matters – John C. Maxwell
(4) The Magic of Thinking Big – Dr. David Schwartz
(5) Think and Grow Rich – Napolean Hill
(6) The Power of Positive Thinking – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
(7) Being happy – Andrew Matthews
(8) If it is going to be, It is up to me – Robert Schuller
(8) The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
HTH,
Kent
Currently reading the 4 hour work week by Tim Ferris – http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/
I wish I read book that changed my life.
I’ve read Rich Dad Poor Dad too. Currently reading The Law of Success in 16 Lessons by Napoleon Hill.
Rich Dad Poor Dad should be required reading for anyone coming out of high school. E-Myth should be required reading for anyone starting a business. It help us shift our long-term focus to creating a sustainable business that doesn’t require us to be there 24/7. This was an excellent post and I hope everyone takes it to heart.
A couple of books that have changed my business/life(some have already been mentioned)
1) The Magic of Thinking Big – Dr. David Schwartz
2) Richest man in babylonn – George S Clason
3) How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegi
4) Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
5) Screw it, Lets do it – Richard Branson
6) AUDIOBOOK: 21 Great Ways To Manage Your Time And Double Your Productivity – Brian Tracey
Having reached the age of 80 and still fit and in good fettle and having operated at all levels in a large public organisation then it seems that many, if not all of you, are on a ‘flight of fancy’. What needs to be considered is what is meant by success. Those who strive for attention or recognition are needy of affection; while those who seek wealth are simply endeavouring to prove their worth probably due to feelings of inadequacy. What motivates us says much about our nature or our nurture but little about ourselves. Most of us in this cockeyed society in which we live need to work to earn our corn and on doing so we constantly seek better conditions and more income but those who are ambitious tend never to be able to relax while others are laidback and enjoy the life in which they find themselves. What interests us is different to what motivates us; when properly motivated we can usually gain our desire but seldom gain the satisfaction from following what interests us. Happiness is being able to accept the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Ambitious types are unable to do this and can only find fleeting happiness in their achievements; sport, golf, and advancement, being their main outlets. Almost everyone has a story to relate about themselves and want to express it in some way and usually through writing but has anyone ever considered why the ‘need’? The answer could dissuade from relating it. Why not simply enjoy who we are or simply to love ourselves and be happy? I am a happy and optimistic type without problems; I do not create nor cause problems but others in my life do which too often affects me and which cannot be avoided but one must never allow those others to rule one’s life. Enjoy being you and solving the obstacles to life whenever they arrive and don’t fret over the problems of others. This old planet, on which we live, rolls on impotently, totally in ignorance of the disasters created in its wake, so let us not concern ourselves about the future nor dwell in the past but let us be aware of, and enjoy, our moment. Those who cannot enjoy the moment are probably depressives! Try learning from observation rather than what others say!
Wow Duparc, your paragraph was the only book I needed to read.
I agree bacart!
Well spoken Duparc.
Being 80 years old probably has an influence on your views of “ambitious types” and being able to “accept the circumstances in which we find ourselves.” Wanting to better oneself financially is not necessarily a sign of discontent. If it weren’t for the ambitious types, we would not have any of the technological advancements we use today.
I understand the concept of not comparing oneself to others as a means of self-definition. But I also understand the desire to realize your full potential and contribute as best you can to society. It seems that Duparc is treating the two concepts as if they were mutually inclusive, when they certainly are not.
I just got done reading the books you suggested, and they were fantastic, I gave “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” to my Brother for Christmas. They opened my eyes to what I was spending, and how I could be saving more money.