How to Develop Your Potential in Business with These 6 Books


If you are interested in improving your skills and knowledge in the field of business, you might be wondering what books to read. There are so many books out there that claim to offer valuable insights, tips, and strategies for success, but how do you choose the ones that are worth your time and money?

To help you with this dilemma, we have compiled a list of six books that are highly recommended by experts, reviewers, and readers. These books cover various aspects of business, such as entrepreneurship, innovation, investing, leadership, and management. They are not only informative, but also inspiring, entertaining, and practical. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an aspiring business owner, you will find something useful and relevant in these books.

Here are the six books that you should read to develop your potential in business:

1. Business Adventures by John Brooks

This classic book, first published in 1969, is a collection of 12 stories that explore the triumphs and failures of some of the most famous companies and individuals in American business history. You will learn about the rise and fall of Ford’s Edsel, the scandal of Xerox, the secrets of Wall Street, and more. The book is praised by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett as one of their favorite business books of all time1.

2. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen

This influential book, first published in 1997, introduces the concept of disruptive innovation, which explains how established companies can lose their market leadership to new entrants that offer cheaper and simpler alternatives. The book provides a framework for identifying and responding to disruptive innovations, and offers examples from various industries, such as computers, steel, retail, and education. The book is widely regarded as one of the best books on innovation and strategy2.

3. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

This timeless book, first published in 1949, is considered the bible of value investing, which is the philosophy of buying undervalued stocks and holding them for the long term. The book teaches you how to analyze companies, markets, and trends, and how to avoid emotional and psychological pitfalls that can lead to poor decisions. The book also features commentary by Jason Zweig, a financial journalist who updates and applies Graham’s principles to the modern context1.

4. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

This memoir, published in 2016, tells the story of how Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, built his global empire from a humble start. You will follow his journey from selling shoes out of his car, to facing challenges from competitors, suppliers, and regulators, to creating a culture of innovation and excellence. The book is a candid and inspiring account of the trials and triumphs of entrepreneurship3.

5. Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance

This biography, published in 2015, gives you an inside look at the life and vision of Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. You will learn about his childhood in South Africa, his immigration to Canada and the US, his involvement in the internet boom and bust, and his ambitious plans for the future of humanity. The book is a fascinating and balanced portrait of one of the most influential and controversial entrepreneurs of our time1.

6. The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike

This book, published in 2012, profiles eight CEOs who achieved extraordinary results by following unconventional methods. These CEOs, such as Warren Buffett, John Malone, and Henry Singleton, focused on capital allocation, rather than operational excellence, and used techniques such as share buybacks, dividends, acquisitions, and spin-offs, to create value for their shareholders. The book shows you how to think differently and act decisively as a leader2.

These are the six books that we recommend you to read to develop your potential in business. We hope that you will find them informative, inspiring, and practical. Happy reading!

1 comment