Best Business Books, what are they? In the modern world of business and finance various business Books pop up like mushrooms after rain. Many coaches, mentors, teachers appear out of nowhere, and each of them wants to give people a new, revolutionary, unprecedented system for achieving success and earning huge capital. But is it? As a rule, most of these business coaches themselves cannot earn normal money, and their books are just a retelling of cult business publications that have influenced the fate of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
We often hear the question: What are the best business books?”, “What can you advise us to read?”, “Which book to start your path to success?”. The questions are quite logical, and every novice entrepreneur understands that high-quality information today is the key to success tomorrow. And no one wants to waste time reading empty books by fake business gurus. Therefore, I want to understand what are the best business books, and what you should pay attention to.
To be honest, then worthy books hundreds, and it is not possible to list them all in this article. Therefore, we decided to make the TOP 10 most interesting, popular, and practical business books. How did we choose them? For maximum objectivity, a survey was conducted among three different groups of people:
- Subscribers of our VKontakte public (at the time of writing, this is more than 250,000 people)
- Entrepreneurs and owners own business who were helped by business books to achieve success (67 people aged 23 to 47 were interviewed)
- Freelancers and young startups who are just starting their journey to success.
We believe that such a selection is optimal, and will help to determine the best business books as accurately as possible. The survey was conducted for almost 2 months, and it was very difficult and several hundred options to choose the 10 most worthy and useful business books. So, please remember or write down the names, and replenish your collection of books with those that are presented in our rating.
Best Business Books: Top 10 Most Popular Books
We would like to say right away that we decided not to distribute in places, and not to single out the best book, etc. We will simply present 10 books that deserve special attention, and each of them is good in its own way. Any rating is a subjective opinion, and there are those who will not be satisfied with it. In order to avoid maximum dissatisfaction, we decided not to hand out places, and all numbering is just numbers, without reference to the popularity or importance of the book.
1.Rework
Rework is a book for those who want to start their own startup, want to change their lives, but for some reason do not dare to take such a serious step. The authors tell how you can start your own business, while still staying on permanent job. Also on the pages of "Rework" you will find advice on the optimal size of the company, and get answers to many related questions. Why do companies need to grow? Why do you need to develop if everything suits you? What and how to plan, and is it necessary to plan? What mistakes can be made, and how to learn from them a useful lesson? Dozens and dozens of questions that you had before will find answers after reading "Rework".
The book is worthy of attention, and scored a lot of flattering reviews. The theme of a startup, developing your business from scratch, raising a large company on aspiration and enthusiasm, is close to many. Perhaps it is because of this that Rework got a lot of votes and entered our list.
You can read a more detailed description of the book in our article ""
4. Atlas Shrugged
I would like to note that this book is not only included in our list best business books, but also noted by major global financial publications. Occasionally big business magazines publish all sorts of ratings, among which there are ratings of the most influential books that have made a great contribution to the development of man. "Atlas Shrugged" almost always takes its rightful place in such ratings.
And it is not strange that this book also has a place on our list. This book will help you understand the essence of entrepreneurship, take a different look at world economy and your role in its development. In a 1991 public opinion poll conducted by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club in America, Atlas Shrugged was the second book after the Bible to change the lives of American readers.
5. From good to great
Why will you never be great? Because you are satisfied with the “good” and do not set yourself big tasks.
Jim Collins has written an outstanding book. Time magazine named it one of the 25 greatest business books of all time. And these are not empty words. Jim is doing the deepest research, trying to understand why some companies succeed, while others remain small, regional, unknown desks.
In this book, Trump shows the whole essence of his business. He does not pretend, but cuts from the shoulder, dispelling all illusions about entrepreneurship and making money. Not every person can become rich and famous, as other business books say. And Donald Trump details why so many live in a world of illusion, making plans and pretending to be rich, but never getting what they want. Only the strongest and most stubborn get success and wealth, and dreams and illusions are the lot of lazy and weaklings. This is exactly the position Trump stands for.
Life is a tough game, and if you want to emerge victorious from it, forget the word “no” once and for all. You must be prepared for the fact that you will have to work with your fists, repulse competitors and non-well-wishers, survive difficulties, but ultimately achieve your goal.
Even if you just decided to understand the structure of business systems, you should still turn to books. Moreover, experts have compiled a list of books that must be read. They are recommended by many sites on the Internet system.
There are many such publications, so we will focus only on the most popular top ten of the rating.
Why read business books?
With the help of such publications, you can get acquainted with the processes that make up any work:
- planning;
- organization;
- coordination;
- establishing contacts;
- studying the products of the selected company;
- technological processes;
- ability to work with machinery and equipment;
- acquisition of skills in preparing presentations and reports;
You will learn important skills such as:
- self-organization;
- stress tolerance;
- business communication and many others;
A specialist with a huge store of knowledge has special qualities.
For example, such as:
- ability to think systematically;
- demonstrate analytical skills;
- quickly generate new ideas;
And this is just a small list of what a well-read specialist who is constantly striving to search for new knowledge can do. Namely, everyone can find them in well-compiled printed publications.
Educational institutions are directing their efforts to lay the foundation of basic knowledge. And improvement and skill are acquired already directly in the process of doing the work. In practice, there are various situations, solutions of which can also be found in books. By acquiring knowledge, a person is constantly developing and moving higher in terms of professional growth.
There are several options for acquiring knowledge:
- through experiments (trial and error);
- through training and special education programs;
- self-education;
It is precisely the last item that is the most advanced among this list. A person freely searches for information and chooses the right one only for him. Books are the main source of self-education. And, no matter in what form the work is presented (electronic or printed edition), the end result will still be unsurpassed.
Review of the best books you need to read
The main task that you need to solve is to know what to read. This is where we will try to help you. With the help of many studies and surveys, experts have compiled a list of the best publications.
So, let's look at the TOP 10 best business publications:
"Atlas Shrugged"
The book was written by a Russian writer from abroad. Subsequently, it was translated into many languages. Several generations of citizens have lived under the influence of this book. The writer managed to make a combination of fantasy, realism, utopia, dystopia, adding romantic heroes and grotesque that can incinerate everything around. The book is based on questions and answers that everyone can interpret in their own way.
"Ogilvy on Advertising"
This is the best of the publications that talks about advertising. The author himself is the patriarch of advertising. He is at personal experience compiled a book in which he described all the subtleties of this case. This is not an easy book - it is a kind of training. He teaches to find the right approach to creating advertising and its presentation.
"Poker of Liars"
The author in his publication spoke about very complex schemes on the exchanges. He touched on the role of Obama in the history of the state entrusted to him. He spoke about the scammers and those who cover them. The book is a real guide to psychology in business.
"Good to Great"
A book for those who want to become a great businessman. Jim Collins not only managed to write books, but was also a successful rock climber and triathlete. He devoted his life to researching profitable companies. He wanted to understand how business giants grow. Collins, using various comparisons, was able to deduce the type of person who is capable of becoming a good company founder. He is confident that society will soon be able to elect only the right people to power.
"Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production"
Do you want to learn such a quality as thrift? Then don't hesitate to read this book. The author of the book himself was able to create a special production system. It soon became the basis of the philosophy lean manufacturing. Entrepreneurs of all generations try to learn from experience, but interpret it in their own way.
"Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big"
Its pages show you step by step how to find the right approach to building a good company. The author, working on his idea, simply described the best companies. Managed to deduce their genetic code. And only at the end, drawing conclusions, he realized that all companies are real laboratories. They create entrepreneurial innovations. There are people who are able to work on their ideas for 30 years.
"The Art of Procrastination"
Efficiency is the main forte of the author of the book. To learn how to work and earn money, you just need to read the book to the end. She will tell you how to create a procrastination structure. You will understand that it is enough to sit at the TV or computer. The time has come to act. Conquer your fear and take action.
"The Innovator's Dilemma"
The author gives examples from life, thereby expressing his thoughts about innovation. He believes that a good entrepreneur should be able to recognize the situation in the market in time. It depends on his intuition whether the product will be updated or it is better to create a completely new one. The book will teach you to choose the right options for action.
"Venture Capitalists at Work"
A book for those who want to learn more about investors. Reveals their true nature. After all, they only seem to want to appear as noble knights, but in fact they are crows who live by the rules of their strategy. They are looking for ways to increase their capital without straining. They work under the guise of good people. And in their offices, they spend hours solving mathematical problems related to fraud.
"Guerrilla Marketing"
After reading the book, you will learn many marketing moves. The author opened the veil on the tricky tricks of sellers, which you hadn’t even imagined before. Your task is simply to start reading, and then the book itself will drag you into the fascinating world of the salesman's work.
Why read them?
These books describe approaches to business that you have not even thought about. By studying them, you can help your business save money. Moreover, the coming economic forces to look for knowledge with which you can get a lot of profit, but at the same time spend quite a bit.
Financiers are trying to come up with more complex schemes, so such books are useful even to ordinary citizens so that in the future they do not completely lose control over the state. The stock market is starting to rule the world. That's why we need to know how all these schemes work.
Where to download or read online?
Of course, in order to sit down to read, you can carefully search for the right copies in libraries or stores. But given our age, in which the Internet is driving progress, we suggest looking for sources on various sites. There you will see not only the listed books, but also many others.
We can offer a list of some of them based on personal experience:
- http://fictionbook.ws and many others.
Constant reading of books was noted as one of the main habits successful people like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced one, it's always important to stay ahead of the curve and read the best business books. Here is a list of great business books to read to ensure you start 2018 on the right foot and stay successful.
"Startup without a budget" by Mike Mikalowitz
“Have you ever been entrepreneurial in your life? Don't know where to get start-up capital? Excellent! Now is your chance to do it right,” Michael Mikalowitz motivates his readers. Complex concepts from the business world are presented in a simple and plain language with notes of humor, which makes the book a real find for both novice entrepreneurs and more experienced businessmen.
"The pumpkin method. How to Become a Niche Leader Without a Budget Mike Mikalowitz
Inspired by the experience of vegetable growers, the famous author Michael Mikalowitz decided to borrow their method of growing giant pumpkins and apply it in business. Sounds incredible, right? This unusual view of things has paid off: Mikalovits' company has become a niche leader with a turnover of millions of dollars. In the book, the author not only shares his own experience, but also gives incredible success stories of other entrepreneurs who were not afraid to use the same strategy.
“ ”, Logaster
Free small business branding guide written by the authors online service Logaster. Tips, practical examples, useful services - in a word, everything you need to create your own style!
Startup for $100. Create a new future by doing what you love, Chris Guilbaud
In this book, you will learn how to turn a seemingly nondescript business idea into a goldmine and start getting more satisfaction from your work and hobbies. According to the author himself, this book is not about business, but about the search for freedom, independence and prosperity. The text is easy to read and is replete with useful tables and lists of self-assessment questions.
Delivering Happiness, Tony Shay
Tony Shay shares his business experience with readers, and this experience is striking in its wide range - from opening a worm farm to a pizzeria. Written in simple and concise language, the book demonstrates new approach to corporate culture: By caring for the happiness and well-being of others, you can become happier yourself.
"Blue Ocean Strategy" Chang Kim, René Mauborgne
This book describes in detail the process of creating so-called "blue oceans" - market spaces devoid of competition. Authors Kim and Mauborgne have developed a range of tools for researching and using such markets - the value curve, the strategy canvas, the mass price band, and others. If you want to find out what lies behind these interesting titles, then this book is simply a must to add to your collection!
Rework, Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework is the perfect book for those who dream of starting their own business not according to a hackneyed plan, but following their own individual strategy. From it you will learn how it can harm, how you can easily do without external investors and why it is better to ignore the competition. To start your own business, you need less than you think. No offices, endless meetings and paperwork!
« From good to great. Why some companies make breakthroughs and others don't by Jim Collins
In his book, Collins identifies and analyzes the factors due to which some companies managed to become not just successful, but, without exaggeration, go down in history. What are the criteria for such "greatness"? In nine chapters of the book, the author examines in detail the issues of management, personnel policy, operating activities and social behavior. Perhaps this is your chance to make your company one of the greats?
« How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie's bestseller is still relevant today. This book has helped a huge number people to succeed in business and personal life. 6 ways to please people, 12 persuasion strategies, 9 ways to change people without causing a negative reaction and many other secrets. A must-read classic even in the 21st century!
« The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
In his bestselling book, Christensen explains why successful companies, which, at first glance, do everything right, yet lose their leading positions in the market. According to the author, if managers do not know when and how to move away from traditional business approaches, then even the most successful firm will inevitably go under. Bold, compelling, and provocative, this book contains valuable business advice that all managers, entrepreneurs, and project managers must know.
"How to make money without start-up capital", Sergey Azimov
Want to break out of the boring, low-paying office routine? Tired of working 16-hour days trying to keep your business afloat? On the pages of his book, business coach and entrepreneur Sergey Azimov shares effective secrets of making money and a completely different approach to work. Thanks to the easy and extraordinary presentation of the material, the author manages to win the trust of the reader from the first pages.
“Don't work with assholes. And what if they're around you" by Robert Sutton
The author advises managers how to deal with the unproductive behavior of some "difficult" employees and at the same time learn to benefit from their positive qualities. Moreover, the book contains real examples from experience largest companies. Understandable to everyone, and sometimes even humorous style of presentation will turn reading this book into a real pleasure.
"Stop dreaming, get busy!" , Cal Newport
Cal Newport boldly debunks the myth that business is all about finding something you really enjoy. The author proves that many people begin to love and appreciate their work only with time, even if at first it seemed to them far from ideal. This book is the result of conversations with dozens of people from a wide variety of professions, from farmers and screenwriters to investors and freelance programmers.
"Zero to One" by Peter Thiel
According to the author, the key to continued progress is the leader's ability to think independently and make decisions. Tomorrow's leading companies will be able to avoid competition by creating unique products and services. This book contains a new, optimistic view of progress and innovation. She teaches readers to ask the right questions, which can help us see the value in the most unexpected things.
"Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi
According to the author, all successful people are united by one quality - the ability to form relationships in such a way that they are beneficial to all participants. In his book, Ferrazzi tells how to properly build communication with colleagues, friends and business partners. At various times, the described strategies were successfully used by Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and other powerful people of this world. And as you probably know, really good things do not lose their relevance over time!
"How to Work Four Hours a Week" by Timothy Ferris
Surely many are familiar with the situation when work turns into a trap and begins to require more and more time. Whether you want to get away from the routine, travel the world, earn five-figure incomes effortlessly, or simply work less and devote more time to yourself, then this book is your ticket to a new, freer and more flexible world.
"Predictable Irrationality" by Dan Ariely
Dan Ariely's book is devoted to one of the most interesting and multifaceted areas of economics - behavioral economics. Consumer behavior is irrational: in response to a number of external stimuli, they often take rash actions. After reviewing 13 examples of predictable irrational customer behavior, you will discover 13 opportunities to increase your sales!
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey's book suggests A complex approach to solving personal and professional problems. Sharing insightful observations and real life stories with readers, Covey shares how to live in accordance with principles such as justice, honesty and human dignity. These principles allow us to adapt to change and take advantage of the opportunities that change brings with it.
The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graham
Despite the fact that this book is about investments, Graham pays close attention to psychology and temperament types. After all, even the most profitable investment strategy can turn into a fiasco if the investor does not have the appropriate type of temperament. If you want to know how stable investors differ from entrepreneurial investors and what style of investing is most effective, be sure to read this book!
"Act like a leader, think like a leader" by Erminia Ibarra
In her work, Emilia Ibarra tells how a manager of any level can become a leader by gradually changing himself and his work environment. For example, the author advises to adopt an agile leadership style and expand your circle business connections. Offering a variety of assessment tests and practical advice, this book will help you become a more effective leader and inspire your career new life. It's time to learn by doing!
"Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
In his fascinating work, Gladwell explores the notion of a “tipping point,” when ideas, trends, and patterns of social behavior seem to spill over the edge of an imaginary vessel and spread rapidly. Gladwell's book can be compared to an intellectual adventure story, in which one can feel admiration for the power of new ideas and the author's conviction that one extraordinary person can change the whole world.
"45 manager tattoos", Maxim Batyrev
This book, without a doubt, deserves the title of the most unusual in our list. The titles of the chapters of this book are the names of the author's tattoos, each of which symbolizes a certain life principle. “All that is in the book is my rake, bumps and tattoos. I share with you a part of my life and I hope that my practice will serve you. good example", - says the author. Here you will not find complex concepts and theories. All Batyrev's recommendations are simple and practical, but at the same time based on the principles of effective management.
"Customers for Life" Carl Sewell
In his bestselling book, Sewell shares the secret to building a base. regular customers that will stay true to your business for years to come. Sewell examines expectations in detail modern consumers and employees, once again proving that the good old principle “Find out what your customers want and give it to them” still works flawlessly. The man who owns the second largest Cadillac dealership in the US can't be wrong about these things!
“Business is like a game. The rake of Russian business and unexpected decisions”, Sergei Abdulmanov, Dmitry Kibkalo, Dmitry Borisov
In their book Business as a Game, the authors share the secrets of launching and developing successful business projects in Russia. Peculiarities Russian market, developing an effective business plan, relationships with investors and partners, determining salaries, conducting interviews, competent interaction with clients - these are just a few of the issues that are covered in the book. Start reading from any chapter that interests you!
"And nerds do business" , Maxim Kotin
Maxim Kotin's book is built around a very real character - Fyodor Ovchinnikov, who 10 years ago decided to open his own business in an unremarkable Russian city. We can say that Ovchinnikov has become a symbol of thousands of ordinary Russians who were not afraid to drastically change their lives and try their hand at entrepreneurship. This is a story of successes and failures of small business in Russia at the beginning of the 2000s. It is difficult to imagine a more truthful book about this difficult period, so it is a must read!
How to become a businessman, Oleg Tinkov
Oleg Tinkov is the owner of several successful companies who has tried himself in the most different areas ah business – from brewing to rendering banking services. This book contains concise, practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business and succeed. According to Tinkov, courage and the ability to control risks are essential qualities for any entrepreneur. But even if these qualities are not fully inherent in you, the author advises not to give up and still try your hand at business. This approach is definitely motivating!
Anything Can Be Negotiated by Gavin Kennedy
Helpful Hints for successful negotiations both in business (real estate, long-term contracts, companies) and at the household level (purchasing a TV, repairing a car, communicating with colleagues). How to present your proposal in the most favorable light? How to behave if you are faced with blackmail? The book is interactive and contains many assessment tests. A great read for those who want to improve their negotiation skills!
"Startup without cuts", Ekaterina Inozemtseva
Startup Uncut offers an honest look at today's Russian business. From it you will learn how to avoid common mistakes, find a good investor, resolve a conflict between partners and much more. The purpose of this book is to educate and motivate both future entrepreneurs and those who already have their own business. Moreover, the book contains links to useful workshops, document templates and other materials based on the invaluable personal experience of Russian businessmen.
"To hell with business as always" by Richard Branson
In his work, Branson shares his vision of the future with readers. According to the author, it is time for people to reconsider their values and make it a priority not to make money, but to take care of other people and the planet as a whole. In an easy and convincing way, the author tells how companies, using their resources, can make this world a better place. And for more motivation the author cites real stories caring entrepreneurs who can serve as an example for others.
“Business from scratch. The Lean Startup Method, Eric Rees
According to the author, most startups fail not because of non-compliance with deadlines or high costs. Companies close because they offer a product or service that no one wants. The central idea behind the Lean Startup concept is to continually gain feedback from consumers. Instead of development detailed business plan, the company must listen to the needs of its customers and, based on the information received, adjust its development strategy.
Startup. Founder's Handbook, Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
This book is step by step instructions for those who want to create a profitable, scalable startup using a customer-centric customer development methodology. This concept, the author of which is Steve Blank himself, is being studied at the world's leading universities. On 608 pages of the book you will find more than 100 graphs and charts, 9 irreparable mistakes of entrepreneurs and much more.
Startup Management, Katherine Kathleen, Jaina Matthews
This book is a real encyclopedia of business with five hundred success stories from entrepreneurs from various fields of activity. How do you know it's time to change your management style? What personal changes are the key to success? What is dangerous for the company inaction of the head? By providing detailed answers to these and other questions, the authors explain step by step the company's sustainable growth strategy.
"Angels, Dragons and Vultures" by Simon Ecklund
Are you looking for money for your startup, but the venture capital market seems like a dense forest to you? In this provocative and witty book, you'll learn how venture capitalists run their businesses and make money, how they can help your firm, and what alternatives to venture capital exist. With a deep understanding of the subject, Simon Acklund offers a professional guide to give you the confidence to find a venture capitalist.
Scrum. A Revolutionary Project Management Method" by Jeff Sutherland
In this book you will not find detailed description how to use the Scrum methodology. Sutherland sets himself a more difficult task: he analyzes the reasons for the effectiveness of this methodology, answering the question "why?". The book is autobiographical in nature: the author tells how the Scrum methodology was useful to him in various and sometimes unexpected areas of activity - from service in Vietnam to the development of ATM technology.
"Attracting Investment in a Startup", Brad Feld, Jason Mendelsohn
The process of attracting investments is described from the point of view of two venture investors who have been investing in risky and developing projects for more than 40 years. How to develop a mutually beneficial investment attraction strategy? By what criteria do investors evaluate companies? What are the terms of the deal Special attention? This book will be useful to everyone: ambitious entrepreneurs, and venture investors, and lawyers who specialize in certain types of transactions.
"Startup Weekend", Mark Neiger, Clint Nielsen, Frank Nuriga
Think it’s impossible to develop a full-fledged startup concept over the weekend? This book will convince you otherwise! If you gather developers, designers, marketers and other specialists around the same table, then in just 54 hours you can get a whole range of interesting ideas, form competent teams and develop an effective growth strategy! The authors have collected for you best work, lessons learned through trial and error and inspiring examples from other companies.
"Finding a Business Model", John Mullins, Randy Komisar
It may sound surprising, but most companies that do not dare to deviate from their original strategy one step are doomed to failure. And among the successful projects there are many that now only remotely resemble the original idea of their founders. In this guide, you will learn why the gradual transition from Plan A to Plan B is not only desirable, but vital to the success of your business.
"Rules for Profitable Startups" by Vern Harnish
In his debut book, Harnish observes that the three principles the legendary John Rockefeller - Priorities, Data and Rhythm, to this day form the basis of effective management. In addition to these three principles, leading companies also use Harnish's One-Page Strategic Plan. Although the book is aimed primarily at business owners and senior executives, it contains universal ideas and strategies for managers at all levels.
If you notice any great books we missed that should be included in the article, add them in the comments below!
There are many business books. Good business books are few and far between. Magazine Time chose 25 publications that have already brought up several generations of successful managers and are still relevant. What books do you have on your desk?
#1 Age of the Absurd (1989), Charles Handy
Professor London business school talks about the dramatic changes in people's everyday and work life. New technologies are changing the usual rules and ways of working. The book is called prophetic, because after decades Handy's thoughts have become even more relevant.
#2 Built to last. The Success of Companies with Vision (1994), Jim Collins, Jerry Porras
The authors study the success of business giants ( Disney, 3M, Sony and others) and try to understand how they manage to stand out from the background of others. The reasoning leads Collins and Porrasak to believe that it's not so much the leaders that matter as the right corporate culture.
#3 Competing for the Future (1996), Gary Hamel & K.K. Prahalad
This book provides revolutionaries with tools and concepts to fight the defenders of the past. Hamel and Prahalad talk about strategic planning, that it should be emotional, purposeful, and not just analytical. The book talks a lot about core competencies companies and the need to anticipate changes in the industry, and not just adapt to the new.
#4 Competitive strategy. Methodology for Analyzing Industries and Competitors (1980), Michael Porter
For thirty years now, this book has been a starting point for managers who think about profitability in a competitive market.
#5 Emotional Intelligence (1995), Daniel Goleman
Why do people with different IQs perform equally well at work? It's all about self-control, perseverance, and motivation—in other words, emotional intelligence. Goleman tells how this emotional intellect can be developed. The ideas from the book smoothly migrated to the employee evaluation standards.
#6 E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It (1985), Michael E. Gerber
There is a myth that a good technical or operational person can also run the whole business just as well. Gerber destroys this myth and proves that the head of a business must be an effective manager and entrepreneur.
#7 Encyclopedia of Management (2001), Peter Drucker
Drucker single-handedly created the theory of management. His ideas were ahead of their time. To begin acquaintance with his works is, perhaps, with this book.
#8 Fifth discipline. The Art and Practice of the Self-Learning Organization (1990), Peter Senge
Most management guides are based on case studies and data analyses. But not this book. Senge took it up after his morning meditation. He describes five disciplines for a smart company. But the most important of them is the fifth, which is tied to “systems thinking”.
#9 First Break All the Rules (1999), Marcus Buckingham, Kurt Coffman
The authors urge executives to personalize their style and not to treat everyone with the same brush. To come to this conclusion, Buckingham and Coffman conducted more than 80,000 interviews with the best managers. The book contains many other useful tips.
#10 Target (1999), Eliyahu Goldrat
The book differs markedly from other business bestsellers. First, its author is not a titan of industry, not a business school professor or even a consultant. He is a physicist. Secondly, this is not a textbook, but a novel. Main character Alex Rogo is confronted with the "limitation theory" and is trying to get the company up and running. The book has been reprinted several times.
#11 From good to great. Why Some Companies Breakthrough and Others Don't... (2001), Jim Collins
How do companies become not only successful, but also profitable, and for a long time? To answer this question, Collins took a deep dive into 1,400 Fortune 500 companies. He discovered seven keys to success.
#12 Guerrilla Marketing (1984), Jay Conrad Levinson
The guerrillas changed the way people thought about war, and Levinson's book changed the way small companies thought about promotion. How to compete with the giants? Use your head, not your muscles. Twenty-five years later, real business empires are growing on Levinson's ideas.
#13 How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) by Dale Carnegie
Financial success depends 15% on technical knowledge and 85% on the ability to lead people, says the author, who called himself a simple village boy. The advice in the book is fairly simple, but that didn't stop Carnegie from selling more than 30 million copies during the Great Depression.
#14 The Human Side of the Enterprise (1960), Douglas McGregor
McGregor turned the business idea of personnel management upside down by proposing two theories. Theory X assumes that all employees are inherently lazy. Theory Y that employees can be ambitious and motivated. Management, according to McGregor, should create conditions for subordinates to strive for more.
#15 The innovator's dilemma. (1997), Clayton Christensen
This book is not about success, but about failure. Professor Harvard Business School explains why once-successful companies went bankrupt and what happens to those who turn a blind eye to new technologies and market trends. The main lesson of the book is to adapt sooner and more often, even if it hurts today's profits.
#16 Ahead of Change (1996), John Kotter
Who does not change, he fails. Kotter talks about eight stages of organizational change and provides each stage with examples from the consultant's own extensive practice. In addition, the author explains the difference between someone who manages change and someone who leads it.
#17 How to Become Leaders (1989), Warren Bennis
The book from the leadership guru is perceived not as a business textbook, but as a way to understand yourself. Bennis talks about the lack of leaders and calls this problem a "social disease". In the book, he tells how to treat this disease.
#18 Out of the Crisis (1982), W. Edward Deming
It was in this book that the idea was first formulated general management quality (TQM). Deming's work revolutionized American businesses. The book talks about 14 key principles management, which contradicted many of the standards of those times, but are now perceived as the norm.
#19 My years at General Motors (1964), Alfred Sloan
Author led GM from 1923 to 1946 and turned the company into the world's largest corporation. GM's lawyers have long hindered the publication of the book, fearing that Sloan's revelations would serve as the basis for lawsuits against the company. This book is still considered required reading in many business schools around the world.
#20 One Minute Manager (1982), Kenneth Blanchard, Spencer Johnson
This thin book with simple (critics used the word "innocent") business truths immediately won the hearts of the world public. The authors recommend that effective managers "catch people who are doing the right thing" and reward good behavior with one-minute praise. Bad behavior should also be marked with a one-minute reprimand.
#21 Corporate reengineering. Business Revolution Manifesto (1993), Michael Hammer, James Champy
The division of labor that once spurred the growth of young corporate America is now sinking businesses, the authors argue. Hammer and Champy call for a rethinking of the business structure and merging some professions into one. There are opinions that the book is involved in the massive corporate layoffs of the 1990s. In the era digital technologies the thoughts in the book sound even more believable.
#22 The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) Stephen R. Covey
This is one of the best selling business books of all time. Curiously, it says very little about business and management. But you will read seven easily digestible maxims that will help in business life.
#23 Six Sigma course. How General Electric, Motorola, and the World's Other Leading Companies Get Better (2000), Peter S. Pandy, Robert P. Newman, Roland R. Caveneg
Motorola and General Electric developed Six Sigma in the 1970s and 1980s, and in the 2000s the method of management went mainstream.
#24 production system Toyota (1988), Taiichi Ohno
After World War II, an engineer Toyota Taiichi Ohno was looking for a way to bring the Japanese factories closer to the big three from America. The results of his work changed the manufacturing industry forever. Taiichi Ohno and his managers developed the "lean manufacturing" system that helped Toyota to become a world leader in the industry. In the book, It talks about milestones innovation.
#25 Who stole my cheese? (1998), Spencer Johnson
Another thin book-parable. Read in 30 minutes maximum. The idea is simple: change because it is inevitable. Company executives truckload the book and hand out copies to employees so they don't go into a stupor when faced with changing circumstances. Sold over 20 million copies.
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Once Sergei Mikhailovich told reporters about two books that inspired him to accomplish things. This is an autobiographical book by Nobel laureate in quantum electrodynamics Richard Feynman."Of course you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" and sci-fi novel Avalanche (Neil Stevenson), based on whichvirtual universe Second Life.
