10 Life-Changing Books for Business Owners

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” This quote by Harry S. Truman resonates with Phillip Long, CEO of Business Information Solutions. In fact, reading is extremely instrumental in his role as a business owner because it helps solve business problems and build a stronger company culture.

Here are 10 books that have been instrumental in his evolution to entrepreneur: 

#1: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It – Michael Gerber

This book helps new and long-time entrepreneurs by overcoming assumptions that can get in the way of starting or running a business. The author Michael Gerber discusses the journey of a business owner from infancy to growing pains and, ultimately, to maturity and success. Throughout the process, he delivers influential lessons. 

#2: Good to Great – Jim Collins

In Good to Great, Jim Collins explains how mediocre businesses are not doomed and they can transition from being a good company to a great one. Yet, many businesses fail to make this change. To help these struggling organizations, he provides examples of businesses who failed and succeeded.

#3: Traction – Gino Wickman

Traction has been an instrumental book for many business owners as it’s based on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) model. This book focuses on six components including Vision, People, Data, Issues, Processes and Traction. Each component gives specific instructions on how to effectively operate a business and eliminate bottlenecks. 

#4: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos – Jordan Peterson

In this self-help book, Jordan Peterson, a renowned psychologist, highlights what he believes to be essential life advice. He goes through his twelve profound rules that cover discipline, adventure, responsibility and freedom. 

#5: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action – Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek started a work revolution that has inspired millions of leaders to find purpose at work and within their company. This book pushes executives to ask “why” and find the answer. Through this philosophy called The Golden Circle, it shows leaders have so many similarities from how they communicate to how they think. Businesses can use these commonalities to become better and more successful if they just start with the “why.” 

#6: Meditations – Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a collection of Marcus Aurelius’ writings that inspires people using his own journey of self-improvement. These quotes are insightful and can be used to motivate employees.  

#7: Legacy – James Kerr

This sports book by James Kerr looks at one of the world’s most successful sports teams, the All Blacks. What was their secret to success? He reveals how individuals and organizations can use these fifteen powerful, leadership, lessons inspired by the All Blacks to find success themselves. 

#8: The Go-Giver, Expanded Edition: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg & John Mann

The Go-Giver tells a story of a man named Joe who is ambitious and wants to be successful. He is what many would call a “go-getter.” Desperate to land a big sale, he gets advice from Pindar, the legendary consultant also known as the Chairman. Pindar shows him how “go-givers” use the power of giving to add value to their lives and others while also receiving unexpected returns. 

#9: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

Stephen Covey has been truly inspirational to many people. In his book, he discusses his principles for growing both personally and professionally. 

#10: The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy

Darren Hardy discusses how everyday decisions can compound and lead to failure or success. From losing weight to running a business, this step-by-step book gives individuals the principles they need to make small decisions that can lead to great returns.  

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