The Business Books You Should Read
What makes a good business book? Take a walk down the business aisle at your local bookstore and you will see title after title, most of them entirely forgettable collections of jargon and catchphrases. But some books strike a chord, and can influence your thinking for years to come.
We asked businesspeople in the Maritimes and beyond what books have influenced them most. The answers cover the spectrum. Sometimes, we discovered, the books with the best business lessons aren’t about business at all.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years – Don Miller
Picked by Marcel Lebrun, former CEO of Radian6 in Fredericton. “Most people wouldn’t consider this a business book at all, but I recommend it to business people, and challenge them to ask, ‘how can my business contribute to living out a great story?'” says Lebrun.
Creativity Inc. – Ed Catmull
Picked by Amy Anderson Lyons, President of SHIFT Communications in Boston. The Pixar co-founder’s book is an essential guide to the “Pixar way”, how the company used a rigorous process of creativity and innovation to create some of the most popular films ever.
Too Big To Fail – Andrew Ross Sorkin
Picked by Kurt Peacock, urban researcher and writer in Saint John. The gripping look at the 2008 financial crisis that almost cratered the entire global economy is a, “whoa-is-this-what-the-economy-has-as-its-leaky-foundation page turner,” says Peacock.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers – Ben Horowitz
Picked by Ross Simmonds, Halifax-based founder of Hustle & Grind and Crate as well as a speaker and author. In his book Horowitz, a successful venture capitalist and cofounder of the legendary VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, provides proven guidance on launching and building a startup, including the things that business school doesn’t teach.
Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl
Picked by Ian Cavanagh, Partner with Ernst and Young in Halifax. Frankl’s classic book is helpful in, “understanding people, human behaviour and establishing context in work and life,” says Cavanagh.
The World is Flat – Thomas Friedman
Picked by Dave Grebenc, CEO of Saint John-based Innovatia. Friedman’s influential book explores the impact of globalization. “When it first came out it was a good eye opener as we were just starting to do some work in India. Without being in India we could have never grown our business and grown our work force here as well,” says Grebenc.
Start With Why – Simon Sinek
Picked by Owen Green, cofounder of Adams Green accounting in Saint John. A bestseller that explores the reality that great leaders always start with asking “why?”.
The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art Of Turning Trials Into Triumph – Ryan Holiday
Picked by Joel Kelly, Halifax-based writer and marketer. Holiday explores how the icons of history – from John D. Rockefeller to Steve Jobs – turned obstacles into opportunities. They look to the lessons of Marcus Aurelius to achieve success in any situation.
Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun –Wess Roberts
Picked by Stephen Tobias, Executive Director of the Saint John Theatre Company and business owner. This sequel to the classic Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun goes beyond the first book’s focus on individual leadership, applying the famed warrior’s wisdom to the challenges of running an organization.
Built To Sell: Creating A Business That Can Thrive Without You – John Warrilow
Picked by Jeff White, principal at Halifax-based inbound marketing company Kula Partners. Are you running your company, or is it running you? This book helps business owners find out how to run a successful business without them needing to be at the centre of everything.