Five of the Best Business Books for Small Business Owners to Read This Summer

2020 has become the year of quarantining and social distancing. For many of you, this has meant having to find creative ways to learn new things and even be entertained outside of in-person events. Well, if you have run out of Lynda.com and Skillshare videos to watch—or need a break from the computer screen, books can be an engaging and productive way to pass the time. 

Like workshops and training, books can be a great way to learn new skills that will help you grow your business and give you valuable insights from expert thought leaders and prominent CEOs. 

So, what should be on your summer 2020 business book list? Check out our list below. 

Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-By-Month Guide to a Business That Works 
By Melinda F. Emerson 

If you are in the early stages of building your business or are wondering if entrepreneurship is for you—”Become Your Own Boss” is an excellent choice for a read. This book by Melinda Emerson, founder, and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, an award-winning multimedia company, lays out the steps you need to become a business owner. Going month-by-month, Emerson lays out how to effectively structure and plan the establishment of your business. From developing marketing strategies to hiring employees, this book can help you move from point A to Z to create a business that works. 

Crushing It!
By Gary Vaynerchuk 

Today, creating a strong connection with your audience is critical in developing lasting relationships with customers, and social media is vital to making this happen. Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk is an expert when it comes to creating an engaging and successful professional and personal brand with the help of social media. In a follow up to his New York Times bestseller, “Crush It,” Vaynerchuk updates his guidance and advice to help entrepreneurs develop a powerful brand with the help of social marketing. This is definitely a book you want to add to your reading list if you want to understand how to use mediums like Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest to build influence in your business sector and community. 

The Effective Executive 
By Peter Drucker 

Commonly known as the “father of management,” Peter Drucker spent most of his career educating business owners on developing effective management tactics and strategies. In “The Effective Executive,” Drucker lays out steps for how business professionals can improve business effectiveness. He highlights time management practices, how to identify and best use your strengths, tips for determining priorities, and advice on sharpening your decision-making. While this book does address executives, you are the chief executive of your business, and may one day manage others in senior leadership at your company. For a lesson in thinking like a savvy CEO, check out this title from Drucker.  

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean
By Karen Berman 

Are balance sheets and expense reports not your thing? Whether you are a new or veteran entrepreneur, understanding your company’s finances is critical to your business’s long-term success. In “Financial Intelligence,” Berman describes the ins and outs of financial management in a jargon-free and easy-to-understand way. She uses real examples from companies and teaches the basics of finance so that nonfinancial managers can grasp these concepts. If you need a refresher course on business accounting and finance, this is the book to read. 

Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable 
By Seth Godin 

If Peter Drucker is the father of management, then Seth Godin is the ambassador of digital and content marketing. For years, Seth Godin has produced content that helps everyone, from solopreneurs to business owners, harness digital marketing’s power to grow their branding. In “Purple Cow,” Godin uses stories from companies like Jetblue, Krispy Kreme, and Apple to help readers truly understand the marketing elements that enable brands to sell their products effectively. If you want to sharpen your product marketing skills, add this title to your reading list. 

It’s Time to Curl Up with a Good Business Book

Even during this current season of uncertainty, you can still learn from people like Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk in book form. Therefore, if you can’t make it to a conference this year, you can still skill-up. So, take a minute to grab your favorite tea, find a comfortable seat, and learn some new skills that can expand your business. 

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/@rethaferguson

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