The Best Small Business Books Shelf

[Astrid]

Hi

I was wondering if we could build a thread with book recommendations from users? No matter if they are educational, inspirational or just entertaining (business) books. I'm always looking for new titles, for presents or for myself.
Couldn't this thread be pinned to the top of the board, Jayne?

Here are my most recent reads:

"Why people fail" by Siimon Reynolds, one of Sydney's advertising personalities and now business coach, mentor and keynote speaker. Very entertaining and very much 'on the spot'. He covers almost everything from business routines to work life balance.

From his book list at the end I picked "A Passion for Success" by Kazuo Inamori, one of Japans most influencial entrepreneurs, born in 1932 and still rolling ;-) He shares inspirational, spiritual and practical thoughts on life and business in short essays.

Cheers,
Astrid

[BB]

Oh Astrid - what a good idea!

But where to start? Reading is a passion of mine and I have quite a good library with so many favourites.

Hhmm... let me see

I'd start with -

"The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR written by AL Ries and Laura Ries.
"High Heeled Success" written by Marcia Griffin (a must read for all women in business)
"How I raised myself from failure to success in selling" by Frank Bettger

Then ... well, I'm sure there are lots of favourites from other members.

Happy Reading!

B.B.

[ozcos]

Great Idea, a book or reading referral forum.
You kinda made me head to the library and pull a few of I got value from…

Here’s a sample (no particular order)

What choice Do I Have? by Michael Kerrigan

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, Ph.D.

A Millionair’s Common Sense approach to Wealth by Dexter Yager

High Five by Ken Blanchard, Sheldon Bowles

What choice Do I Have? By Michael Kerrigan

What I didn’t learn at school but wish I had by Jamie McIntyre

The first book of life Skills by Larry James

That’s a few starters, wow looking back at them maybe I should go over them again……

I tend to find each time you read these books you have different priorities in your life, so each time you revisit them you get something you missed the last time or do we just relate in a different manner.

After a while you learn that in particular times in your life you can pick up the right book and just “go over” the sections that apply.

Cheers,

[Scratch]

Business Stripped Bare - Richard Branson

Before you Quit Your Job - Robert Kiyosaki

kind regards

Shane Scott
Scratch Property
www.scratch.net.au

[Steve_Minshall]

Influence: Science and Practice (Robert B. Cialdini)

Steve

[ray_223]

I could add so many - but 2 of the best for me:

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Al Ries & Jack Trout

Create Your Own Future - Brian Tracy


And I don't think any list would complete without:

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

[FS Concierge]

Thanks for this idea Astrid!

My current faves...

Buy-Ology by Martin Lindstrom and anything by Seth Godin.

Cheers
Jayne

[Astrid]

Hey, my book list is growing, thanks ;-)

And thanks, Jayne for sticking the thread to the board.

[FS Concierge]

Thanks Astrid, but actually it was Peter

[KarenC]

My favourites include design and art books.
You could say I was a passionate collector of design and art books.

The Art of Pixar (image attached) - book
It includes a foreword by John Lasseter, essays, interviews and over "250 full-color pastels, pencil sketches, storyboards, and final rendered frames" from the shorts, from The Adventures of André and Wally B. and Luxo Jr. onward.

I love the book because it shows the development of an idea and concept on paper, through to the development on screen.

Logo Design Love - book by David Airey (image attached)
A guide for designers (and clients) who want to understand what this mysterious business is all about. Written in reader-friendly, concise language, with a minimum of designer jargon, Airey gives a surprisingly clear explanation of the process, using a wide assortment of real-life examples to support his points. Anyone involved in creating visual identities, or wanting to learn how to go about it, will find this book invaluable.

I love the book because it shows the value of having a good designer create for a client and the reasons behind good logos.

Cheers.