Having just celebrated National Read a Book Day and Lifelong Learning Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the power of continuous learning – especially for those considering the leap to business ownership. The journey is filled with excitement but also comes with its fair share of challenges – can anyone ever truly be prepared? For Frank Milner, president of Tutor Doctor, the answer is yes.
With the right mindset and resources, you can prepare yourself for business ownership. I believe one of the most effective tools for sustained success is reading. Here are my top five book recommendations to help aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages build confidence and gain insight for life as a franchisee.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey, 1990)
When 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was published, I remember it making quite the splash in the business world – and it still is just as impactful today.
The real standout of the book is its timeless principles that extend beyond business, offering guidance to improve all aspects of your life. The book gives you practical strategies for managing all your relationships.
While not a quick-fix guide, the book encourages gradual implementation of its habits to bring about lasting personal and professional development.
The Oz Principle (Roger Connors, Tom Smith & Craig Hickman, 1994)
The authors focus on accountability as a critical factor in business success, highlighting the key values you need to achieve your desired results.
For me, the book was instrumental in developing my self-awareness, especially when I found myself slipping ‘below the line’ of accountability. Emphasising taking ownership of your outcomes, both personally and professionally, the book is essential for business leaders striving for responsibility and effectiveness.
Atomic Habits (James Clear, 2019)
This revolutionary book explores how building positive habits is essential for success in both your business and personal life. Clear offers strategies for developing strong, productive habits while eliminating those that hinder progress.
The book is packed with practical, actionable insights that can help anyone improve and achieve their goals, making it a valuable resource for personal growth and self-improvement. Just as in life, strong, consistent habits are critical to business success.
The E-Myth Revisited (Michael Gerber, 1995)
The E-Myth Revisited is an absolute timeless classic business book for any new entrepreneur.
Gerber points out that an alarming number of small businesses fail, a large majority of those in their first couple of years in operation. He argues that these businesses depend on their people, whereas to be successful, you need to focus on your systems. If that doesn’t lay out the benefits of franchising in a nutshell, I don’t know what does!
The book teaches you how to establish systems and procedures to make it possible for people with minimal skills to work at a higher level.
It Takes What It Takes (Trevor Moawa, 2021)
I remember It Takes What It Takes really struck a chord with me, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Trevor Moawa teaches the concept of neutral thinking, which helps individuals eliminate negative thinking and maintain focus. Through mental conditioning and resilience strategies, the book provides a game plan for overcoming challenges, making it an ideal guide for business owners facing adversity.
One thing in particular that stayed with me was ‘the illusion of choice’, which is powerful in helping business owners embrace their reality regarding the hard work that needs to be done on the pathway to success.
By embracing these philosophies, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of business ownership. Just as I did, by reading these books, you’ll discover that the benefits extend far beyond your business and can positively influence multiple other aspects of your life.
