7 Must Read Books for Every Start Up

Every entrepreneur or startup needs some guidance, Inspirations, motivation especially when they hit a wall. Every entrepreneur or wanna-be one needs an active reading list. After all, Books are one of the most valuable resources of knowledge. Till date, even Youtube videos or best podcasts cannot replace the in-depth knowledge found in the good books.

Yes, one might argue that in the busy life of an Entrepreneur, one might not find enough time to read books. This is where technology has given the precise gift in the form of eBooks and AudioBooks So that they are not only ready but can also listen to the book according to their frequency and time.

Plus it helps one save unproductive time spent on activities like traveling, shopping etc. Isn’t it amazing that one is able to gain knowledge during those hours and apply the same while working and hogging hours?

I have personally read over 100 books on various subjects related to business and Entrepreneurship. These books have inspired me to take the Entrepreneurship plunge. And it is not just inspiration that I have borrowed from these books. Insights from the authors have given me the confidence to take certain risky propositions which have reaped returns. It has given me practical knowledge on things which and Entrepreneur is not supposed to do.

However, of all of them, I personally recommend the following 7 books which have helped me immensely.

Here they are:

1-   “Zero to One” by Peter Theil

Why you should read this book: This book does not teach you anything. This book actually is going to help you forever as it challenges your approach towards things.

It helps you to orient yourself to think in a progressive manner. It trains your brain to absorb the challenges, whatever they might be!

If one is coming from Employment to Entrepreneurship, then this book is meant for them! As it helps you to develop that kind of mental outlook to establish and grow your business.

Summary - “Zero to One” written by Paypal founder Peter Theil has given some very interesting and helpful tips for startups based on his own experience.

He describes his book as an “Exercise in thinking,” and not a manual for any startups.

a) Where do you want to play

b) Think Big

c) Start small and leverage network effects

Source: YourStory

2- “All In” by Bill Green

Why you should read this book: This book is for every non-reader to start reading. So if you think that you are not that much into self-help reading, go for this book.

Bill introduces all the concepts and experience for you to learn in a very light manner so as to make you understand how to launch something big!

Summary- The author Bill Green has used his own impressive business achievements and provided the practical Tools needed to launch their Big Idea.

Bill has shared 101 key insights in unique, humorous and impassioned style.

He shared the lessons that allowed him to leverage his flea market business table into one of the biggest industrial distribution companies in the country and how he successfully invested in numerous companies across the market.

Source- Amazon

3- “The Art of the Start” by Guy Kawasaki

Why you should read this book: This book helped me to understand stepwise in getting things operational in your venture.

This book gets you in the thick of things of how great startups are built.

Guy Kawasaki brings all his experience to share with you to understand how can you make your startup valuable.

Summary- In this book, the author Guy Kawasaki brings two decades of business experience to offer a definitive guide for anyone who dreams of starting anything.

Whether you are thinking of starting a start-up Internet operation or a church group, The Art of the Start will provide you with everything you need to know from raising money to fostering a community.

The Art of the Start 2.0 distils Guy Kawasaki's decades of experience as one of the most hardworking and irreverent strategists in the business world. Guy has totally overhauled this iconic, essential guide for anyone starting anything. It’s 64 percent longer than version 1.0 and features his latest insights and practical advice about social media, crowdfunding, cloud computing, and many other topics.

Source: Guy Kawasaki

4-  Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyoski, Sharon Lechter

Why you should read this book: I should say that the book Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of the best books I have ever read and will highly recommend it to everyone who ever planning startup. Good financial advice has been given by the author.

After reading the book, your understanding of planning finances for your business will get much better. So go for it. I even recommend this book for every individual if they are to do better in their life.

Summary- Rich Dad Poor Dad is the story of a person (the author) who has two fathers: the first was his biological father – the poor dad - and the other was the father of his childhood best friend, Mike – the rich dad. Both fathers taught the author how to achieve success but with very disparate approaches.

 Throughout the book, the author compares both fathers – their principles, ideas, financial practices, and degree of dynamism and how his real father, the poor and struggling but highly educated man, paled against his rich dad in terms of asset building and business acumen.

It advocates the importance of financial literacy (financial education), financial independence and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate investing, starting and owning businesses, as well as increasing one's financial intelligence (financial IQ) to improve one's business and financial aptitude.

Source: Wikipedia

5- ·      The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Why you should read this book: This book helped me to understand dynamics of a company in the new age of business.

If you have to understand how to get things operational towards the growth of the business, this book is for you.

This is where I learned my first concepts of growth hacking.

Summary- In this book author Eric Ries has described all his learning while working on his Startup. Author has tried to bring in a systematic approach to measure the progress of the Startup.

It’s a complete guide to how to drive Start-up, build and maintain products.

All startups make some assumptions (leap of faith) about their viability

This book explains how to work on your innovative concepts as a businessman through moments of anxiety and dilemma. The way to start a company has changed drastically over the time and this book will explain to you how to utilize this change to our benefit. The book provides the plan, how a 'startup' is a company devoted to creating something innovative under circumstances of extreme uncertainty.

Source: Amazon

6- “Originals” by Adam Grant

Why you should read this book: This book helps me to understand one very important thing:

“When you believe in something do anything to go for it”

If you can learn one thing from this book, is going for the unconventional. After reading this book you are definitely going to be more innovative.

Summary- This book hit the shelves less than half a year ago and became a bestseller.

This book is most motivational served on this list to fulfill your dreams.The book takes a more nuanced approach, suggesting that you can be more innovative and creative if you maintain a sense of balance.

Source: Forbes

7- “The 7 Day Startup” by Dan Norris and Rob Walling

Why you should read this book: This book helped in understanding the following:

· Execution is the most important things

· Best ideas become good ideas when executed and good ideas become best when executed

. Got me closer to Launch of my ideas and plans

Summary- In this book author has described 7-day Schedule of any startup.

Day 1. “Brainstorm or picking up a new idea.

Day 2. “Write down points what exactly you will launch on Day 7 

Day 3. “Come up with good and potential business names and evaluate them. 

Day 4. “Build yourself a website!”

Day 5.“Build a list of what marketing methods you are going to choose”.

Day 6.“Create a spreadsheet that covers the first few months in business, the number of signups, revenue, estimated costs, and monthly growth.”

Day 7. “Launch marketing plan.”

Source- samuelthomasdavies

Conclusion:

Chances are that you might have read at least one of these books. Help me understand anything different you might have taken from these books. Any new insight, hack etc.

Also, help me understand how has books helped you in your entrepreneurship journey.

Have you got any other book that comes to your mind? Let me know if you have any other suggestion which might be helpful to me!

About the Author:

Devashish Dey

I help Clients boost their Business by at least 78% through 'RoI focussed Online Campaigns'

A Principal Consultant @ Growthpixel, I also help Digital Brain as their Chief Content Brainiac in designing their Digital Marketing Course and helping their training team.