Editor’s note: This article was first published in September 2014; Branson’s fortune, the description of Gates as the richest man in the world, the availability of Iacocca’s autobiography and the claim about Starbucks employee benefits reflect that time.
Unfortunately, many good business books aren’t available in Spanish, although I’m gathering them to put together a list of these books in English as well.
This time I’m recommending 8 business books. I’ve read most of them myself, and some are recommendations from people with good judgement on the subject.
See also:
- The best books on financial education and personal finance
- 8 books Warren Buffett thinks everyone should read
1. Aprendiendo de los mejores (Learning from the best).
Written by Francisco Alcaide, who has gathered into a single book the experience, wisdom and advice of the best, just as the title says. From Carnegie to Branson, you’ll learn how each of these people thought about business, management and even life. Someone recommended this book to me a while ago, but it wasn’t until a few days ago that I got my hands on it. Francisco Alcaide has done a brilliant job with this book.
2. The Impatient Optimist: Bill Gates in His Own Words.
Written by Lisa Rogak, the book collects a series of quotes and speeches by Bill Gates himself that show how he thought from his beginnings and throughout his career, until he became the richest man in the world. Some of his words are excellent advice, such as this one on technology addiction: if a child is addicted to a computer, it’s much better than watching television, because at least their mind is making decisions. It isn’t a great masterpiece, but it’s interesting and a quick read.
3. Iacocca: An Autobiography
Lee Iacocca, the son of Italian immigrants, became a legend in the business world by not only saving Chrysler from bankruptcy but also turning it around and making it grow. He became a media celebrity and was even encouraged to run for president. He rose to become president of Ford Motor and lived through the ugliest side of business, such as intimidation, blackmail and manipulation by the powerful.
Definitely highly recommended reading because, despite all the problems, Iacocca ended up a winner. The book is easy to buy in English from Amazon. In Spanish it has to be bought second-hand, and stock seems to be limited.
4. Losing My Virginity: How I’ve Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way.
Written by Richard Branson himself, this book answers the question of how to have a good time and enjoy life even when you’re working hard. It also works as a guide for entrepreneurs following the Branson philosophy, and reviews his business life.
From his start selling records by mail order to building a fortune of more than 5 billion. And all without ever failing to enjoy a single day. Wholeheartedly recommended by a colleague of ours.
5. Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul.
Written by Howard Schultz himself, this book focuses less on how Starbucks was built than on an episode in 2007, when the company ran into trouble for the first time and fought for its survival.
For the first time, Schultz, its founder, had to fight for the company’s life, but without losing its values and principles towards employees and customers. And not only did it come out stronger, but today it is one of the companies that does most to help its employees build a career within the company. A good read on management in times of economic crisis, at a moment when the company’s own future was at stake. A book every CEO should read.
6. Leadership, by Daniel Goleman.
We’ve used Goleman’s advice in several articles on various occasions.
This book is about the power of emotional intelligence in business and how it will help you run a company and make certain decisions, as well as carry out some innovative ideas.
7. Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman.
I’m including this book in a ranking once again, since it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. The author explains our two systems of thinking: System 1, which is fast, intuitive and emotional, while System 2 is slower, apparently more deliberative and supposedly more logical.
But the truth is that you aren’t the master of your thoughts if you aren’t aware of many of the things Kahneman discusses. And that kind of biased thinking affects life and business alike. So I believe everyone in general, and every CEO and entrepreneur in particular, should treat it as required reading.
8. How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Probably one of the best business books ever written. This Dale Carnegie classic is worth revisiting in today’s times. It’s a book highly recommended by practically every billionaire today, including Warren Buffett, and in it you’ll find the advice you need to achieve exactly what the title says.
Success in business depends on relationships, and this book will not only advise you on how to improve the quality of those relationships, but also on how to exert some control over those people.
Further reading
- The best business book, according to Bill Gates
- The best books for getting rich are more than 70 years old
- 5 books every investor should read
Featured image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr.
