Top Books that a Startup Founder should read

Nothing remains constant unless change and time alter everything.

Probably not everything as albeit we do live differently from the previous century, but the importance of books hasn’t changed even a bit.

I still believe in the power of books.

Recommended read: Small business for students

Don’t know where to get started?

Here is a list of 10 business books that I believe every person must read.

#1. Think and Grow Rich – Napolean Hill

Think and grow rich is an ageless classic that helped many people to achieve immense successes in their lives. It has already reached to millions of individuals in past three-quarters.

This book is the result of author Napolean Hill’s dedicated efforts of more than 20 years. He has outlined his work in 13 chapters.

For the author, Hill cultivating the right mindset is all that is required in becoming rich. This very quality is embedded in all riches. To validate it, he compiled all the thoughts of successful people way back in 19th century.

To sum it up I believe success leaves traces and the author has fantastically captured all the traces by putting actionable steps to achieve financial freedom.

#2. Lean Startup – by Eric Ries

Eric Ries interprets startup as an organization of the dedicated and passionate group of individuals to create something new under extreme conditions of uncertainty.

The size of the organization may vary from just one person to thousands of ones, but the core idea is almost same as all loaded with the arsenal of ideas and vision to permeate the fog of uncertainty to start and establish it as the sustainable business.

Lean startup formulated the approach to focus more on capital efficient and human creativity.

“Validated learning ” and counter-intuitive practices which immensely help to shorten my way of startup working was my takeaway from this book.

Eric tirelessly stresses on scientific experiments and be agile lieu big business plans which never works.

#3. Zero to one by Peter Thiel

A book is full of ideas and insights since it’s coming from one of the best business mind Peter Thiel. He was the part of a great bunch of geniuses who founded PayPal.

“What important truth do few people agree with you on?”

If you have no clue about this question, then that’s must read the book for you especially want to change the shape of society.

He answers this question by stating that technology will be a far bigger player than globalization for shaping our future.

Don’t agree with him then read his book and you will become a fan from a criticizer.

It is a compilation of dos and suggestion for startup companies even before shaping it in the form of the book it was the just collection of few lectures and learnings.

#4. Rich Dad Poor Dad – by Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki gives the one plain advice, What’s in your head will end up in your hand. The determining factor is your way of thinking which is stopping you from acquiring riches.

More people suffer only because of the way they think.

This book stresses that you should educate yourself and learn from successful people by spending time with them.

Using similies, he tries to address the mindset of rich and poor people by rich dad and a poor dad. He illustrates that formal education can make you a scholar and intellectual but can never give you financial skills.

#5. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

The $100 startup reflects that how one should lead a life of adventure and full of meaningful purposes without choosing a conventional approach towards life.

Chris has already visited almost all the countries on this planet and yet he is in the early thirties.What will surprise you most, he never does any regular job or relies on regular paycheck rather he has the inner genius of turning any ideas to income.

There are many people like Chris; he succinctly teaches that how you can start small, put everything concerning time and effort and take the real plunge into something big and become financially independent.

For some people who are hopeless in their life, drive hope from tarot cards, magic lamps, etc. but for intelligent people, the magic lies in this little book which will change their course of life.

#6. The effective executive: Peter Drucker

“Get the right things done” is the execution and this is the ability and tenets of the executive.

Peter Drucker points out that executive is the one who does things which other people have noticed as pointless. Other super qualities like intelligence, artistry, understanding don’t account unless he/she is not accumulating it into results.

Drucker throws some practices that can help you to become an active executive. It may seem like some old concepts, but old is gold and worth to learn.

#7. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – by Stephen Covey

It’s an undeniable fact that Habits either make you or break you.

We all are the result of our habits that we repeatedly do in daily lives. Stephen explains that if you don’t know why you are not doing something right in life then maybe it’s a time of self-analysis and changing something the way you do, Sometimes it’s not what you do rather how you do it and habits play a crucial role.

Succinctly, this books talks about adopting core seven effective habits to live more lasting and fulfilling life.

#8. Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing – Robert Kiyosaki

The meaning of investment means different to different people, and mainly this nature and understanding of investment often decide different classes in society.

Rich Dad’s guide to investing is not the compulsive or guaranteed book but it’s whole lots of suggestion to inherit riches by investing at right places. In his book, Robert has guided for long-term investment to become a rich investor.

How you can convert your ideas into multi-millions and income to the passive source of income is the central theme of this book.

#9. The Four Hour Work Week – By Timothy Ferriss

Do you want to travel the world?

Or want to retire early?

Looking for anything that can help you break this rat race?

This book is your guide!

It doesn’t matter if you are not born rich, money can be multiplied depending on “what you do,” “When you do it,” “where you do it” & “with whom you do it” this is called freedom multiplier which you will find only in best books hence this is one of “The Book ” every person must read.

Tim has captured millionaire life blueprint in actionable steps. If you want to start your own online job business then this book is definitely for you.

#10. Rework by David Heinemeier and Jason Fried

What do you expect from a business plan book?

Old advice such as Make long term plans, learn market trends, understand your competitions, seek for venture capitalists.

Here there’s a surprise for you!

And In case you were looking some old pieces of advice then put this book is not for you.

Rework will show you why you shouldn’t adopt old business bits of information anymore.

In a nutshell, you need very less than you think. No need to even burn your nights(Workaholic).

If this is what you were always looking for then Rework is crafted in very straightforward language by Jason Fried just for you!

Grab it!

Image Source: All Book Images are taken from Amazon.com