Great books to read
Aug 14
You will notice I have just added an Amazon widget to this blog. I am going to load this with books that I recommend only. From time to time I will add more. For today’s post I thought I would summarise my thoughts on each. Some of these I have mentioned before and some are new.
The following recommendations are based on me feeling that by the end of the book I had learnt something or that a point had been put across that I got. I hope to refresh this list from time to time - and please do suggest other books for me to read.
In no particular order
1) I’ll show them who’s boss by Gerry Robinson. The book was based on a BBC TV series where Gerry would go into some companies and try to improve them. What I like about the book is it goes back to basics. It doesn’t pretend to invent a new management theory. It is just a good reminder of what does make a business tick and what you need to do as a manager
2) Wikinomics - a great book which explains the new Wiki business model. I think this is a great read but only if you are looking at an internet based business. This to me does explain where the future of e-commerce is.
3) Freakonomics - I simply love this book. If you enjoy having the absurd explained to you in terms of economics models - this is the book for you. With chapters like “what do the Klu Klux Klan and Estate Agents have in common” you get the drift. Simply great
4) The Economic Naturalist - just finished reading this book (rather collection of short essays). It is a great book which explains Economic theory as it applies to the real world. If you liked reading the blogs about Elasticity of Demand (as an example) you will love this book
5) The Essays of Warren Buffett - lessons for Investors and Managers. As some of you will know, Warren Buffett is a hero of mine and this book brings together many of his thoughts which are compelling and easy to follow.
6) Yes - 50 secrets from the science of persuasion. Again a great collection of fantastic anecdotes about how to sell to people using different techniques
7) SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham. This book has served as my sales bible for the last ten years or so. It really explains how to sell in an intelligent manner. Particularly useful when selling solutions and services rather than products.
8) The New Business Road Test: What Entrepreneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan. If there is one book that I would say is must read for both Investors and Entrepreneurs it is this one. Simply brilliant. If you are writing a business plan - it is worth investing the time and the money into reading this book.
Happy reading!
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