PR ON THE GO April 30, 2023

Entrepreneurial Gold: Discover the Ultimate Reading List for Business Success

Inspiration

Entrepreneurship is a journey that requires not only hard work and dedication, but also continuous learning and personal development. As entrepreneurs and creators, we are always seeking new ways to improve ourselves and our businesses. Our business grows with our mindset.

A great way to gain knowledge and insight into the world of business and entrepreneurship is through reading. But with so many books on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. That's why we've compiled the ultimate reading list for business success, filled with books that have been recommended by successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Some of them have reached cult status. From mindset and strategy to leadership and innovation, these books cover all the essential topics that every entrepreneur should know. So, get ready to discover some entrepreneurial gold!

We hope you enjoy our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all have been independently selected by our editors. FYI: PR ON THE GO and its publishing partners may earn a commission and/or other compensation from links on this page.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

The Art of War, an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to Sun Tzu, is a must-read for entrepreneurs looking to gain an edge in business strategy and tactics. This definitive work on military strategy has been influential for over two thousand years and has had an impact on not only Eastern and Western military thinking, but also on business and legal strategy. The book's teachings on topics such as planning, leadership, and deception can be applied to the modern business landscape, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking to dominate their markets.

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

The 48 Laws of Power is a controversial but highly influential book that provides a comprehensive guide to gaining and maintaining power. Drawing from the wisdom of historical figures such as Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl von Clausewitz, author Robert Greene distills 3,000 years of power politics into 48 essential laws. Some of the laws are cautionary, such as "Never outshine the master," while others are more aggressive, like "Crush your enemy totally." Interestingly, before writing The 48 Laws of Power, Greene, now a highly sought-after speaker, said in an interview that he was not in a position of power or influence when he wrote the book because he was just bouncing from small gig to small gig with no career aspirations (yet).

Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It by Christopher Voss is a game-changing guide to high-stakes negotiations, drawing on the author's experience as a former FBI hostage negotiator. Voss shares the effective principles and strategies that he and his colleagues used to successfully save lives in dangerous situations, and teaches readers how to apply these tactics to their own negotiations, whether in business or in personal life. The book presents counterintuitive techniques and practical advice that can give readers the competitive edge in any discussion, from buying a car to negotiating a salary or home purchase. It has achieved cult status among entrepreneurs as the bible of negotiation and persuasion.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Shoe Dog is a gripping memoir written by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, about his journey from a small start-up to a global giant. In 1962, fresh out of business school, Knight began his entrepreneurial journey by importing high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan and selling them out of his trunk. It was the beginning of what is now the world's most successful athletic apparel company.

Sweat Equity by Jason Kelly

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Sweat Equity: Inside the New Economy of Mind and Body by Jason Kelly is an intriguing read for those interested in the multibillion-dollar trend toward endurance sports and fitness. Kelly provides an in-depth look into the individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors at the center of this movement and explores the business strategies that made them successful.

Games People Play by Eric Berne

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Games People Play: The Basic Handbook of Transactional Analysis by Eric Berne is a must-read for entrepreneurs seeking to understand the dynamics of human relationships in both personal and professional settings. Dr. Berne's classic work has sold over five million copies worldwide and revolutionized our understanding of the social games we play every day. With its groundbreaking insights, Games People Play remains a timeless classic that might forever change the way you think about human relationships.

Philosophy@Work by Anders Indset

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Anders Indset is one of the world’s leading business philosophers and a trusted sparring partner to international CEOs and political leaders. Dubbed “Rock’n’Roll Plato”, he is currently one of the most sought-after keynote speakers with his approach to practical philosophy. With the book "Philosophy@Work: Reflections from the world’s leading business thinkers" he is on a mission to introduce practical philosophy into every organisation.

Fanocracy by David Meerman Scott

Recommended by Paige Arnof-Fenn Mavens & Moguls

Fanocracy: Turning Fans into Customers and Customers into Fans by David Meerman Scott. David’s book is a real world practitioner's guide from someone who has lived the job from the front line, he has been there and done it so he tells it like it is not theoretically but from the trenches. The name of the game to grow today is how to get your fans engaged online and here is the manual to do it.

Paradoxes of Group Life by Kenwyn K. Smith & David N. Berg

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Paradoxes of Group Life: Understanding Conflict, Paralysis, and Movement in Group Dynamics by Kenwyn K. Smith & David N. Berg is a groundbreaking classic that offers a revolutionary approach to understanding groups and overcoming the problems that often paralyze group members, the group as a whole, and relations among groups. The authors explore the hidden dynamics that can prevent a group from functioning effectively and show how an apparently paradoxical suggestion can break action barriers, overcome conflicts, and improve group performance. The book offers a different way of thinking about groups that will open new avenues of inquiry for entrepreneurs who work with teams and propose many innovative ideas that will prove valuable to consultants, trainers, therapists, and others who work with groups on a regular basis.

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Recommended by Paige Arnof-Fenn Mavens & Moguls

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action focuses on your purpose. Sinek shows that people don’t buy what you do they buy why you do it and what you do simply proves what you believe. Businesses become influential when they can answer why they do what they do and connect with people on an emotional level.

It's Not All About Me by Robin Dreeke

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

If you're an entrepreneur looking to build strong relationships with potential clients or partners, It's Not All About Me: The Top Ten Techniques for Building Quick Rapport with Anyone by Robin Dreeke is a must-read. Dreeke draws on his extensive research and experience in interpersonal relations to provide readers with ten practical techniques for quickly building rapport with anyone. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in the business world, Dreeke's advice will help you understand how to read body language, massage egos, and place communal wants and needs above your own. By focusing on others and treating them well, you can achieve your own goals and build lasting, meaningful relationships.

Think Twice by Michael J. Mauboussin

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition by Michael J. Mauboussin is an essential read for anyone looking to improve their decision-making skills. Mauboussin reveals the common mental missteps that prevent us from coping with complex realities in important judgment calls. Through vivid stories and memorable rules, Mauboussin shows us how to recognize and avoid these errors. This engaging book will help you question your reasoning and adopt decision-making strategies that are far more effective, even if they seem counterintuitive. By the end, you'll be armed with the awareness to make better decisions

The Human Network by Matthew O. Jackson

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have more opportunities, influence, and power than others? The answer lies in our human networks. In The Human Network: How Your Social Position Determines Your Power, Beliefs, and Behaviors, Matthew O. Jackson explores how our positions in social structures shape our thoughts and behaviors, and ultimately determine our success or failure in life. This fascinating book draws on a range of disciplines, from psychology to sociology to business, to illuminate the complexity of social networks and their impact on our lives.

Fascinate by Sally Hogshead

Recommended by Melanie Marten The Coup

Looking to captivate your audience and make your brand irresistible? Look no further than Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist by Sally Hogshead. Through a combination of research and real-world case studies, Hogshead provides a framework for understanding how fascination works and how to harness its power to attract customers and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Everybody Writes by Ann Handley Handley

Recommended by Paige Arnof-Fenn Mavens & Moguls

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley Handley argues that in an online world everyone is a writer so you need to learn how to create content that attracts and retains people’s attention. She provides practical tips, easy grammar and usage rules that are valuable whether you are working with a big brand or startup these are best practices that will make your writing better. Great advice we can all benefit from now more than ever.

The Best Advice I Ever Got by Katie Couric

Recommended by Kristen Skladd The KMS Group

In The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives," Katie Couric, who served as the first female anchor of the CBS Evening News, offers inspiring firsthand advice from leaders in their respective industries.

Pitch Like Crazy by Trenice J. Brinkley

Authored by Trenice J. Brinkley Two Queens Media

Pitch Like Crazy is a comprehensive guide to the art of public relations pitching, designed to help you land the media opportunities you've always wanted. Whether you're just starting out in PR or looking to improve your existing pitching skills, this book offers step-by-step guidance on how to craft the perfect pitch that captures the attention of journalists and influencers. With practical tips and real-world examples from a seasoned publicist, you'll learn how to identify your target audience, craft a compelling pitch, and follow up for maximum impact. From email and phone pitches to social media outreach and networking, Pitch Like Crazy equips you with the tools and strategies you need to make a lasting impression and build long-term relationships with the media. Whether you're promoting a brand, a product, or a cause, this book will help you take your PR game to the next level and achieve your goals.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Recommended by Kent Lewis Deksia

I recently finished reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and wish I had discovered it sooner. As a founder, marketer and investor, I highly recommend this book to other entrepreneurs as it provides essential guidelines for success in business. The author stresses the importance of being impeccable with your word, not taking things personally, avoiding assumptions, and always doing your best. In my experience, following these agreements is critical to establishing trust and respect with clients and colleagues and creating a positive, successful working environment.

Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley and David Kelley

Recommended by Emily Reynolds-Bergh R Public Relations

I recommend Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All to anyone who works in the creative industries, and entrepreneurs who are running PR campaigns – and especially to those who lead others. Obviously, stand-out PR campaigns require quite a bit of creativity and creative problem-solving. This book provides tangible strategies for unlocking the creative power within each of us and shares stories about how it might be applied to work as well as our personal lives. It’s inspiring and a real confidence booster for anyone who’s experienced a creative rut.

Marketing 5.0 by Kartajaya, Setiawan, Kotler

Recommended by Julia Voloshchenko Usetech

Marketing 5.0: Technology for Humanity by Hermawan Kartajaya, Iwan Setiawan, Philip Kotler - I recommend reading this book to anyone interested in growing their business with new technologies. The authors look at Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and other technologies as new opportunities for business growth.

Thinking in New Boxes

Recommended by Julia Voloshchenko Usetech

Creative leadership and new approaches lead the way in business if you want to stand out from the competition. The strategies and practices in this book will help entrepreneurs come up with new and creative formats for business development.

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