5-books-to-read-now-to-help-you-crush-2015

5 Books to Read Now to Help You Grow Your Business in 2015

by

In today’s fast-paced world of reports, blog posts, and social updates, it’s easy to forget the importance of digging into a subject with a book.

Reading a book opens up new ideas. It gives you fresh insight and alternate viewpoints. After finishing a well-written, well-thought out book, you’re left feeling empowered. Taking action after you’ve read and absorbed new ideas is where the rubber meets the road.

Finding the right books to put on your reading list isn’t always easy. There are just so many! To help you narrow your search and dig into the best books for your business, we’re giving you five of our top recommendations. Here are 5 books to read now to help you grow your business in the last six months of 2015.

  1. The Startup Playbook

Being in business isn’t easy. You have to fight, crawl, and scratch your way ahead if you want to grow. The Startup Playbook makes the challenge of owning a business quite a bit easier.

Dig into the minds of 40 founders to learn what helped them become a success. Learn from their lessons, so you don’t make the same mistakes again. From finding your perfect idea to overcoming the challenges that will inevitably creep into your path, this book guides you on your entrepreneurial path.

 

  1. Zero to One

Do we live in an age of “shiny object syndrome” when it comes to technology? Perhaps, but that shouldn’t stop us from progressing technologically, according to Peter Thiel, author of Zero to One.

This book examines America’s progress and offers an unprecedented way of thinking about our nation’s forward momentum and innovation potential. Discover how you can become an innovator by searching for value in the not-so-obvious places.

 

  1. Creativity Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

Have you ever struggled to conjure up excitement and creativity from your team? Most managers have. That’s why Ed Catmull wrote Creativity Inc.

The book takes a closer look at how business owners infuse creativity into company culture. It uses real life examples from Pixar Animation for how to make customers fall in love with your company (and how to make money) in a similar manner as this entertainment giant. It talks about team building, leadership, and effective management strategies.

 

  1. The Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadership

If you know anything about Richard Branson, then you know he’s a true leader, risk taker, and innovator. In his book, The Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadership, he gives you a glimpse into his unique approach so that you can glean inspiration from his leadership style. Spoiler alert: He’s not your typical manager.

Learn what makes Virgin such a powerfully unique company, and how you can harness some of these same ideas for your business’s success.

 

  1. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business Where There Are No Easy Answers

When you want startup advice, you want it from someone who’s walked the walk and built a company through all the pitfalls and hardships. Ben Horowitz, author of The Hard Thing about Hard Things is that person.

In this book, you come face-to-face with the honest side of running a startup business. It’s not filled with motivational rainbows and inspirational butterflies. Instead, it digs into how you can effectively overcome challenges so that your startup brings you the success you’re striving to achieve.

 

What’s on your reading list this summer?

 

Image: Photospin