Intelligence is a key characteristic of a prosperous entrepreneur. This intelligence goes far beyond becoming an expert in your chosen industry. To truly thrive as a business owner, you must have keen business acumen as well as emotional and social intelligence.
In an effort to help you strengthen your intelligence as a prosperous Christian woman entrepreneur, I’ve compiled a list of books that should be in your library. This is by no means a comprehensive list of every book you should read, but it’s a great start.
To grow as an entrepreneur,, I read an average of one new book per week – that’s about 52 books per year. This may sound like a huge time investment, but I guarantee you it will pay off.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
practical guides for business success
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
Growing a Business by Paul Hawken
Small Business Cash Flow: Strategies for Making Your Business a Financial Success by Denise O’Berry
Jump Start Your Business Brain by Doug Hall
STRATEGY
developing your business’ success blueprint
In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, Jr.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence by Tom Peters
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance? by Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
Discovering the Soul of Service by Leonard Berry
Execution by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan
Competing for the Future by Gary Hamel and C. K. Prahalad
MARKETING
attracting your ideal clients
Influence by Robert B. Cialdini, PhD
Positioning by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Zag by Marty Neumeier
How to be Your Own Publicist by Jessica Hatchigan
Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers by Seth Godin
You, Inc.: The Art of Selling Yourself by Harry BeckwithCrossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore
Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar
How to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey J. Fox
Why We Buy by Paco Underhill
The Referral Engine by John JantschThe Experience Economy by B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
How to Sell When Nobody is Buying by Dave Lakhani
LEADERSHIP
inspiring & motivating those around you
Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will by Tichy and Sherman
Leading Change by John P. Kotter
The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell
Leadership from the Inside Out: Becoming a Leader for Life by Kevin Cashman
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell
EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
bringing out the best in YOU
The Bible
Be Excellent at Anything: The Four Keys To Transforming the Way We Work and Live by Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes , and Catherine McCarthy
How Did I Get So Busy ? by Valorie Burton
The Power of Full Engagement by byJim Loehr,Tony Schwartz
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel Amen, MD
The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time by Cheryl Richardson
Flow by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi
Getting Things Done by David Allen
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss/Theodore Geisel
Chasing Daylight by Eugene O’Kelly
The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason
BUSINESS ROLE MODELS
learning from the best
Titan by Ron Chernow
My Years with General Motors by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr.
The HP Way by David Packard
Personal History by Katharine Graham
Moments of Truth by Jan Carlzon
Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton with John Huey
Develop A Business That Brings Out The Best In You!
As a former attorney and business development strategist, Benecia L. Ponder has more than six years experience helping entrepreneurs build successful business enterprises. Trained by the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute, Benecia utilizes the cutting-edge techniques and tools provided by the research and evidence-based field of positive psychology to translate her wisdom and insight into dynamic and innovative coaching products. For more information about Benecia, visit www.beneciaponder.com.