Good business can often rely on access to the best information, illuminating advice, and singular perspectives. Don’t be afraid to stand on the shoulders of giants. The following books, written by trailblazers and visionaries, offer enough guidance to guide your decisions for decades to come.
The Big Name
Essays of Warren Buffett by Warren Buffett, edited by Lawrence A. Cunningham
Step inside the mind of world-renowned investor, businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffet. Over the decades, Buffett has personally written letters to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. Now, with this this compendium, anyone can learn from Warren’s singular principals and business practices. From corporate governance and finance and investing to valuations and accounting policy, Warren describes in approachable language how to do “good” business.
The Cutting Edge
Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future by Andrew McAfee & Erik Brynjolfsson
Hailing from MIT, McAfee and Brynjolfsson have a lot to say on the integration of artificial intelligence, crowd sourcing and digital platforms. That is, they have a lot to say on the future of business. As the landscape in which get ideas and reach customers becomes increasingly digital, business owners must prepare. McAfee and Brynjolfsson delve into this new normal and explain what businesses will need to do to stay competitive.
The Paradigm Shifter
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
If you hadn’t read the book that lit up the world up in 2013, you’re long overdue. This isn’t a book for women. This is a book for anyone working today. The demographics across all industries are growing more and more diverse, bringing along brand-new perspectives, ideas and innovations. Sandberg encourages women to pursue their goals with tenacity, to make themselves heard, and she demonstrates with clarity how, as woman succeed, men benefit right alongside them.
The Wild Card
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Success in business isn’t always achieved with flawless time management and a winning elevator pitch. Sometimes the difference between success, failure and stagnation is the response to the unpredictable. And, as we know, the unpredictable is inevitable. Taleb’s The Black Swan, talks about navigating unpredictable but highly impactful events—what he calls “Black Swans.” Instead of fooling ourselves into assuming we know more than we actually do, Taleb gives advice for dealing with—and benefiting from—the unexpected.
The Controversial Classic
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Some call it manipulation disguised as self-help. Others call it the secret to their success. Either way, Carnegie’s twenty-year-old book about building meaningful business and personal relationships remains relevant and popular. In How to Win Friends and Influence People, you’ll find practical tips on making a good impression, making a compelling argument and influencing change without stepping on toes.
