5 Top Business Books You Should Read in 2023 (to Succeed in Business) Part 1

Entrepreneurship is a challenging journey, but it’s not one you have to take alone. By learning from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs, you can gain valuable insights, inspiration, and skills to help you on your path to success. 

Thomas C. Corley who authored ‘Change Your Habit, Change Your Life” after he spent five years studying millionaires wrote that 88% of wealthy people devote thirty minutes or more each day to self-education or self-improvement reading. He noted that most did not read for entertainment. Other stats showed that 85% of rich people credit their success to reading books.

To help you start your reading journey, we’ve compiled a list of exciting and impactful books that the top 5 leading entrepreneurs favour. From personal memoirs to practical guides, these books offer valuable lessons and inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.

So, if you want to gain new knowledge, refine your skills, or get inspired, grab a cup of coffee, find a cosy spot, and dive into one of these top reads recommended by the most successful entrepreneurs.

#1. The Lean Startup 

This is a book written by Eric Ries. The Lean Startup provides a new approach to entrepreneurship and business management. The book highlights the significance of creating a “minimum viable product” (MVP) that can be quickly launched and tested in the market to validate its viability. The lean startup approach emphasises rapid experimentation, continuous advancement, and customer feedback to make data-driven decisions and reduce waste.

The Lean Startup also stresses the importance of estimating progress through validated learning rather than traditional metrics like revenue and profit, which can be misleading in the early stages of a startup. The lean startup approach also facilitates a culture of innovation and a willingness to pivot or change direction based on customer feedback and market data.

Overall, “The Lean Startup” offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and managers looking to create successful, sustainable businesses in a rapidly transforming globe.

#2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

After selling over 25 million copies worldwide, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey remains a timeless classic every business owner should read. It presents a holistic personal and professional development approach, resonating with readers for decades. In the book, Covey dissects seven habits namely:

• Proactivity
• Starting with the future in mind
• Prioritise your time and focus on what is most important.
• Thinking win-win
• Aspiring to first understand before seeking to be understood 
• Work together with others to achieve more significant results
• Sharpening your ‘saw’ (continuous improvement) 

Covey walks you through how each contributes to your overall success daily. The book delivers immense benefits to business owners and here’s why:

Focus on “sharpening the saw”: Covey emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to be more effective in all areas of life. Entrepreneurs often work long hours and face constant stress, making it crucial to prioritize self-care to maintain optimal performance.

Develop a proactive mindset: Covey stresses the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and being proactive in finding solutions to problems. Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges and setbacks; a proactive mindset is essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.

Cultivate effective communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for any business leader, and Covey provides practical advice for improving listening skills, understanding others’ perspectives, and building trust with colleagues and clients.

Prioritize and manage time effectively: Time management is critical for entrepreneurs with multiple tasks and responsibilities. Covey provides practical strategies for prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on what is most important and achieve more in less time.

It is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness and succeed in any area of their life.

#3. The Innovator’s Dilemma

This classic business book by Clayton Christensen explores why successful companies often fail to innovate and ultimately lose market dominance. In The Innovator’s Dilemma Christensen argues that these companies become trapped by their success, relying too heavily on their existing products and business models and failing to invest in disruptive innovations that may still need a proven market. 

Meanwhile, smaller, more agile startups can introduce disruptive technologies that eventually overtake established companies. Christensen provides numerous case studies to illustrate his points and advises companies to avoid the dilemma by embracing disruptive innovation and investing in new growth opportunities.

#4. Business Model Generation

The Business Model Generation is a practical guidebook jointly written by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. As the name suggests, it provides a visual framework for developing, testing and implementing new business models. One of our best reads if you ask us!

The book outlines nine business model building blocks, including customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, essential resources, key activities, key partnerships, and cost structure. The authors describe each building block and offer examples of how different companies have successfully used these blocks to create innovative and effective business models. 

This book also includes various exercises and tools for brainstorming, testing, and refining business models, making it an essential resource for entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders looking to develop new products and services or optimise existing ones.

#5. Zero to One

When Peter Thiel wrote Zero to One, he made billions from investing in Facebook and funding a dozen successful startups. So we know he knows a thing or two about the secrets to building a successful startup. 

In the book, Thiel argues that the essential key to assembling a valuable business is to develop a unique and innovative idea that is genuinely new and not just an incremental improvement on an existing concept. 

He encourages entrepreneurs to aim for monopoly status rather than competing in a crowded market. He stresses the importance of building a solid team and developing a long-term vision for the company. 

Thiel also discusses the role of technology in shaping the future and the importance of developing solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Overall, “Zero to One” is a thought-provoking and insightful guide to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Closing remark

Achieving success is no easy feat. It’s a journey that involves consistent effort and a deliberate set of actions that propel you towards your goals and aspirations. And one crucial element of this journey is the daily habit of reading, specifically for educational purposes.

Carving out just 30 minutes daily to read can make a difference in your personal and professional growth. Reading provides access to valuable knowledge, insights, and ideas that can enhance your skills, expand your perspective, and inspire new ways of thinking.

Every component of the success process is interconnected. Neglecting even one aspect can disrupt the entire process and hinder your progress. That’s why cultivating a daily reading habit is so critical. Read the 7 top movies entrepreneurs should see to see something similar.