Are you just leaving corporate life and jumping into startup? You should know If you know that these are the two different jungles, learning fast would be the new habit and it needs to be cultivated.
Learning faster all the time becomes a habit whether you are the founder or a team member in a startup. Probably one of the option to reduce the culture shock is by reading some books related to startup.
There are thousands of books that offer startup advice over there. But we’ve narrowed it down to just 10. Either co-founder or startup member should find the time to read these titles during their journey.
Here’s a compilation of the books that I have found most valuable for start-up kid.
Are You Just Jumping into Startup? These Books May Help You
Lean Startup by Eric Ries, 2011Â
This book isn’t just about how to create a more successful entrepreneurial business, it’s about what we can learn from those businesses to improve everything we do.
Lean Startup principles applied to government programs, to healthcare, and to solving the world’s great problems.
Keeping it lean also taught us to validate our ideas first before spending too much time and money in marketing ideas or solutions that no one wants. Â
It’s ultimately an answer to the question How can we learn more quickly what works, and discard what doesn’t?
Get Sh*t Done by Aaron Levie, 2014
One competitive advantage is the speed at which you can achieve. You cannot achieve by doing nothing.
You cannot achieve by only talking about what you are going to do one day. You must get sh*it done. And you must surround yourself with other people who get sh*it done.
Aaron Levie has done this by promoting an execution-oriented culture at Box.com – a multi-billion dollar startup company.. It’s a dynamic culture built on doing and improving. At Box they get sh*it done. And they do it well.
The Startup of You by Reid Hoffman & Ben Casocha, 2012Â
The Startup of You describes how to take the Silicon Valley approach to building a life: start with an idea, and work over your entire career to turn it something remarkable.
In the world today, the startup approach to life is necessary. Everyone need to think big to succeed, and this book distills the key techniques needed to succeed.
Read too :Â It Is Ok To Make Mistakes and Failures
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, 2012
This book is a testament on how routine behaviors take hold and whether they are susceptible to change.
The stories that Duhigg has knitted together are all fascinating in their own right, but take on an added dimension when wedded to his examination of habits.
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne, 2005
Written by the business world’s new gurus, Blue Ocean Strategy continues to challenge everything you thought you knew about competing in today’s crowded market place.
Based on a study, authors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne argue that lasting success comes from creating ‘blue oceans’: untapped new market spaces ripe from growth.
The business world has caught on – companies around the world are skipping the bloody red oceans of rivals and creating their very own blue oceans.
Big Bang Disruption by Larry Downes & Paul Nunes, 2014
Welcome to the era of disruption! Thanks to technology, especially smartphone applications. In this book, the author made a well elaboration on the bad news about technology disruption to potential entrepreneurs, as well as key advice about how to survive and compete in this fast-paced world.
One of the bad news for entrepreneurs is that instead of sitting back and making money with technology, they are really going to have to work: The tech world is moving so fast and if companies don’t innovate, they’re going to become obsolete overnight.
Supported by extensive research by Accenture and in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, investors, and executives from more than thirty industries, Big Bang Disruption will provide you an insight on strategies and to how to thrive in this new world.
The Wisdom of Failure by Laurence G. Weinzimmer & Jim McConoughey, 2005Â
Most of books may provide some advices about how to successfully become an entrepreneur or business leader, but this book goes to the different direction instead.
Essentially, this is a new guide in exploring the failures of individuals, companies, and the industries through a seven-year study. Learning from these mistakes, readers might discover what to avoid. Learning from mistakes is a necessary part of the journey of effective leadership, and this book offers a guide to learn these powerful lessons.
The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte, 2014
If you are hesitate about taking the plunge into entrepreneurship, this book is designed to give you an illustration you need to get right on with it and launch your business immediately.
This beautifully written book provide a self-help read to consider if you are looking for something to get you fired up for the entrepreneurial journey ahead.
Furthermore, she reframes popular self-help and success concepts through 4 points: Firstly, the pursuit of life balance causing us more stress then the craving for balance itself. Secondly, being well-rounded is over-rated.
Third, when you focus on developing your true strengths, you enter your mastery zone. Last but not least, she urges you to Screw your principles because they might be holding you back.
Read too : I’m Not a Detail Oriented Person and This Is How I Overcome It
Start Run & Grow a Successful Small Business by Toolkit Media Group, 2008Â
If you are looking for the all-in-one small business reference book, this is one of the suitable references that you need to consider.
The book guides you through the entire process of setting up a business from planning to execution, as well as the case studies and model business plans to help you start and develop your business.
Furthermore, to those who are not familiar with basic management, you don’t need to worry because it’s also fully updated with new laws and regulations, effective human resources management, suggestions for efficient marketing, managing cash flow, and how to control your tax liabilities.
Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pamela Slim, 2010
If you are an employee for a corporation and wishing you could quit and start your own business, this book is aptly for you.
In this book, the author told her own personal story in left her office job and start her own business immediately and never regret any single of her this decision.
She explains everything you need to know about starting a business before and after you take the plunge from how to get clients as well as valuable guidance and motivation that will reinforce your commitment to escape the corporate cubicle for good.
So, what you have been read? Leave a comment with your favorite startup books 🙂Â