Guide to Classic Books for Entrepreneurs

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Have you ever thought about how far the classic business books would go to motivate your employees? Even the oldies, such as Dale Carnegie’s 1930’s classic, How To Win Friends And Influence People, have messages with timely applications for today’s entrepreneur. This book teaches you to show genuine interest in others, encourage with honest praise, and to influence people without making them feel manipulated.

I recommend: Head over to Books-A-Million (BAMM) to order Carnegie’s classic and other titles, and get free shipping if your order’s over $25. Sign up for a membership with Barnes & Noble or Borders for great everyday savings on classic titles in addition to rewards and more.

The One-Minute Manager / Who Moved My Cheese?

Some business experts are one-hit wonders in the publishing world, but others – like Dr. Spencer Johnson– have written #1 bestsellers again and again. There are more than 40 million copies of Johnson’s books in print in 42 languages! His top-selling book, Who Moved My Cheese?, a brief story about what happens when a person dares to take on change, is essential for anyone who wants to leave his 9-to-5 to embrace entrepreneurship. Check out Johnson’s other classics, The One-Minute Manager (with Ken Blanchard), and his latest, The Present.

I recommend: Spencer Johnson’s Web site offers lots of great learning tools.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

One of the top business book authors is Dr. Stephen Covey, who penned the best-selling Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This book outlines seven rules that are applicable to the entrepreneur’s personal and professional life, including learning how to be proactive, seek first to understand (and then to be understood), think “win-win,” and more.

I recommend: Stephen Covey’s Web site offers information about his other books, including The 8th Habit, which teaches you to reach beyond effectiveness to greatness and fulfillment; and Everyday Greatness, for stories of people overcoming challenges (straight out of the pages of Reader’s Digest), plus insight from Dr. Covey.

Awaken the Giant Within

Anthony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within is a motivational must-read for any entrepreneur. With this classic, you’ll learn how to create your own blueprint for success and reach your own personal and professional goals.

I recommend: Visit Amazon.com to buy several copies of the book and schedule an employee book discussion group (you supply refreshments and some fun prizes). Amazon also offers free podcasts and free shipping with any order over $25.

Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, first published in 1937 and updated with a recent 21st-century edition (The NEW Think and Grow Rich), has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. This classic teaches 13 principles of success, which include auto-suggestion, decision, specialized knowledge, and how to outwit your fears, among others.

I recommend: Order books and check out other resources at the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

Listen to a good book

Don’t waste your daily commute or exercise time in silence – listen to the classics on audiotape, CD or MP-3. These books serve to inspire and educate you, and all you have to do is sit back and listen (and watch the road, of course).

I recommend: Purchase the titles you’ll listen to repeatedly, and rent the rest. At Cracker Barrel, it’s only $3.50 per one-week audiobook rental (plus a deposit). Return or trade in the book at any CB location, regardless of where you rented it. Wall Street Journal’s Executive Career Site offers you 30-percent off (and free shipping) to buy any of the books they’ve included here.

Join the club

Join a business book club to keep an eye out for the best new entrepreneurial books. No time to read? Then check out business book summaries, which allows you the chance to gain the core information from a book without spending the time reading the whole thing.

I recommend: The Virtual Business Group (VBG) Book Club allows members and non-members to read a book, then join a teleconference with that author. Subscribe to Soundview Executive Book Summaries to receive two to three 8-page summaries of your choice of the top business books – in the format of your choice – audio, online, even downloadable to your PDA or other wireless device.