Small Business Corner

There are countless books that the growing entrepreneur can use as business resources. Below are 10 books recommended for business owners who want to grow their business, feel more motivated, and make effective decisions.

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In this world-class bestseller, Stephen Covey explains 7 behaviors he has observed in successful people of all kinds, from managers to parents.

His 7 steps can help you diagnose problems in your business, gain the motivation you need to work hard, and find that sense of accomplishment that all small business owners should have. Reading this book would go a long way in making you feel sure of your career choices—and entrepreneurs, especially, could always use some encouragement that their difficult path is a worthwhile one.

2. The Networking Survival Guide. By Diane Darling, this valuable guide will teach you the skills to create and cultivate a professional network—one of the most important tools in every business owner’s toolbox.

Whether you want to look for financing, new employees to hire, stellar business advice, or interested clients, a network of people with overlapping experience and interests can go a long way.

3. The War of Art. Steven Pressfield originally published The War of Art to inspire writers to follow their creative impulses. But it’s become recognized as a source of energy and motivation for anyone pursuing their passions, from dancers and painters to business owners, too.

If you sometimes feel like your energy or dedication is at a low point—or you question whether running a small business is worth all the work—then this book could help remind you of the big reasons you started that company in the first place.

4. Lean In. By Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, this famous book looks at the relationship between women and work. Whether or not you’re female, Lean In can help you understand what it takes to put your best foot forward and to ditch the big worries you have over your career.

5. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Autonomy, mastery, and purpose: these are the 3 things that Daniel Pink says motivates us to work hard in this great business resource.

By looking at the scientific data behind motivation and comparing it to how businesses and individuals actually try to motivate themselves in practice, Daniel Pink shows us just what we’re doing wrong—and how we can do better. For entrepreneurs looking to grow their teams or feel more motivated by their own ventures, this isn’t a book to miss.

6. How to Win Friends & Influence People. An oldie but a goodie, Dale Carnegie’s book was an overnight sensation because it hit on all the best truths about human nature—and tied them to personal and professional success.

There are no easy tricks or simple life hacks here. Dale’s suggestions are all deep and thoughtful, ranging from “Treat others as though they have the virtues you wish they had” to “Remember people’s names!” This is timeless advice that anyone—and especially an entrepreneur—can make good use of.  

7. Delivering Happiness. Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, discusses the importance of company culture on a business’s bottom line success. If you’re looking to build a business that grows and has a serious impact on its employees, invest in company culture, customer service, and happiness across the board—and your business will thank you.

8. Built to Last. By Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, this book delves into the habits of companies that have found great success, from startups to massive organizations. If you’ve ever been curious what makes those world-famous companies (like Disney) grow to be industry powerhouses, look no further for a business resource to show you the answer.

9. Crush It! Gary Vaynerchuck will show you “why now is the time to cash in on your passion” by using the Internet to turn your hobby into your career. And it’s not all just lip service: he transformed his family’s wine store into a national company, then developed himself as a definitive source of business information and advice. Crush It! will teach you how to dream big—and accomplish those business goals you’ve dreamt up.

10. Creativity, Inc. Written by Ed Catmull, one of the original founders of Pixar, this book will inspire you to follow your passions with determination—and intelligence. Part memoir, part management training, this is a book you won’t want to put down… And one that will change how you run your small business.

This article originally appeared on www.fundera.com/. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by USSFCU or any of these entities.