Over the past few years it seems I’ve been reading less and less. I tell myself it’s because I’m writing more, but it might have more to do with the fact that The Bachelor is now 2 hours instead of 1.
But … ever since Dream Year Weekend in Nashville 10 days ago, I’ve been on a business reading kick.
Here’s 3 books that I’ve devoured in the past 10 days.
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
First off, his last name is pronounced “Shay”.
Second off, this book was fascinating. I loved the first half of the book, which chronicled Tony’s professional career. From quitting as an entry-level employee in his first year at Oracle, to starting and selling multiple businesses over the last 10 years, he gives the reader full access into what he was thinking all along the way.
The second half of the book focuses on the culture Tony helped create at Zappos; and though you probably already know of their successes, it’s crazy to read about how close they were to failing numerous times. Extremely inspirational for a guy like me.
My favorite quote from the book: “Never outsource your core competency”
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REWORK by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
I read this book last year, but started reading it again this week and keep finding nuggets.
The way the book is written makes it an easy read, but don’t think that means the concepts are elementary.
Understandable? Yes. Profound? Absolutely.
The authors are at their best when they’re tearing apart old maxims that just aren’t true anymore. Turns out there’s a lot of crap out there masquerading as wisdom.
From creating your own business to being the best employee in someone else’s, this book is loaded with goodness.
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The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
I had heard about this book before, but had always assumed the “e-myth” had to do with running a business online. WRONG.
The “E-Myth” stands for the Entrepreneurial Myth, and the crux of this book is that you and I need to balance the 3 unique parts of ourselves is we’re going to succeed in running a small business. The Technician (who does the work), The Manager (who manages the work that’s being done), and The Entrepreneur (who dreams about the work that will be done).
The problem is, most small businesses are started by Technicians who know how to do the work of the business, but don’t know how to run a business. They’re 70% Technician, 20% Manager, and 10% Entrepreneur, and in the end they not only fail to grow the business in a healthy way, they end up hating the work that made them think they wanted to start a business in the first place.
Gerber spends the first part of the book helping you rethink your approach to starting a small business based on these roles, and spends the rest of the book working you through a system to create a business that supports your life as opposed to one that runs your life.
There’s a reason it’s sold more than a million copies.
*those were all Amazon affiliate links
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So yeah, that’s what I’m reading. If you’re not into business books I apologize for the yawn-fest.
What about you? What are you reading these days?
Any great books, business-related or otherwise, that you recommend?