Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs – February 2018

Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs – February, 2018

Alright. It’s time for Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs – February 2018. This month, I recommend books from Steven R. Covey, Jen Sincero, Michael E Gerber and Earl Nightingale. These books sufficiently cover the topics of mindset, money, time management, positive habit forming and reputation.

Read More: ‘Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs – January 2018’

The E-myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth (Entrepreneurial Myth) is a classic small business book that is still quite relevant today. Gerber’s premise is that we all have a manager, technician and entrepreneur inside us, however, most small businesses are started by technicians who lack the mindset of the manager and the entrepreneur.

It is important to point out that the technician’s role is not necessarily technical, on the contrary, the technician is viewed as “the worker.” Technicians include, accountants, computer programmers, dog trainers, bakers, cooks, etc. In other words, people start businesses because they are good at their jobs and that is not always the best approach.

The book stresses that striking a balance between the manager and the entrepreneur is key to building a successful model for the “the worker” to follow.

 

“It is the tension between The Entrepreneur’s vision and The Manager’s pragmatism that creates the synthesis from which all great works are born.” – Michael E. Gerber

 

Gerber teaches the reader how to work “ON” their business, rather than “IN” it. He explains that businesses that “work” follow a franchise model whether the owner plans on expanding or not. Gerber’s franchise rules are listed below:

 

1. The model will provide consistent value to your customers, employees, suppliers, and lenders, beyond what they expect.
2. The model will be operated by people with the lowest possible level of skill.
3. Your model will stand out as a place of impeccable order.
4. All work in the model will be documented in Operations Manuals.
5. The model will provide a uniformly predictable service to the customer.
6. The model will utilize a uniform color, dress, and facilities code.

The Strangest Secret – Earl Nightingale

This book is a classic and it’s a secret so that’s all I’m going to say about it.

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth – Jen Sincero

‘You Are a Badass at Making Money’ is easy and fun to read. Sincero does a great job helping the reader visualize their desired financial goals and create action plans to achieve those goals. Jen manages to make a book about money entertaining. She also provides helpful exercises at the end of each chapter. This is a must-read for the entrepreneur with more creative skills than managerial.

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

Stephen R. Covey dives into goal visualization, time management, working well with others, negotiation and the renewal of resources. Anything that requires upkeep must be kept sharp. The book takes a deep dive into the following habits.

 

1. Be proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first
4. Think win/win
5. Seek understanding before being understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the saw

 

7 Habits of Highly Effective People is must-read for every business owner. It is especially useful when you find yourself getting pigeon-holed by the daily grind.