Carving out a space for yourself as a startup has never been easy, but the landscape of today poses a number of challenges all its own. From overcrowded markets to economic uncertainty, the hurdles that fledgling entrepreneurs face have never been more numerous.
Even so, help is out there for those who want it. Mentorship programs and accelerators are more common than ever, but there’s no denying the power of a good book. Books can give you insight into how other trailblazing entrepreneurs achieved the growth that you’re striving for. Here are some that should find a place on your shelf in 2021:
Mentorship programs and accelerators are more common than ever, but there’s no denying the power of … [+]
1. Come Back to Bed: Attract More Foot Traffic and Make People Fall in Love with Your Store by Mark Kinsley and Mark Quinn
The entire world of retail is in flux: the old rules simply don’t apply anymore. Come Back to Bed shows that, no matter what happens in retail, customer connections should always be at the core of your strategy. By teaching new ways to put your customers first, this book can show you just how to adapt to today’s tumultuous market without losing sight of what’s important.
2. Startup Playbook: Founder-to-Founder Advice from Two Startup Veterans by Rajat Bhargava & Will Herman
The successes, the failures, the excitement, the letdowns: Rajat Bhargava and Will Herman have seen every step of the startup process. Startup Playbook walks you through all of the different moments you’ll experience on your entrepreneurial journey, giving you invaluable advice for how to proceed through the tough times and capitalize on the good ones.
3. Infinite Income: The Eight-Figure Formula for Your Online Business by Tanner Chidester
The digital shift has been underway for years now, but COVID-19 accelerated it in ways no one expected. Every business today is an online business, though not all are equally prepared for how to navigate it. Tanner Chidester has already carved out his part of space, and Infinite Income is his guide to others who want to do just the same.
4. Mind Your Business: A Workbook to Grow Your Creative Passion Into a Full-Time Gig by Ilana Griffo
Business doesn’t have to be all button-downs and spreadsheets — the best kind of business is the one you’re passionate about. If you’ve been nurturing a passion that you feel like has the chance to become a truly successful enterprise, Mind Your Business can help you get there. Ilana Griffo’s book outlines the key steps you need to take and perspectives you need to draw upon in order to take a hobby onto the open market.
5. Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship by Mandy Gilbert
Any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you: the career path comes with just as many downturns as it does upsides. Mandy Gilbert knows this better than anyone and has created a resource for budding professionals who need a little help seeing the forest as well as the trees. If you have yet to experience the full throes of entrepreneurship, Just Go With It can give you just the advice you need to navigate what comes next.
6. Thrive: The Leader’s Guide to Building a High-Performance Culture by Andrew Freedman & Paul Elliott
It’s easy for early-stage entrepreneurs to focus on product development, fundraising, marketing, and other elements crucial for getting off the ground. Thrive shows that there’s something else missing from this equation: culture. A high-performance culture can make all the difference between a success story and a shuttered business, so start developing one now in order to see the payoffs down the line.
7. First Pitch: Winning Money, Mentors, and More for Your Startup by Debi Kleiman
It’s your startup’s job to sell your product, but it’s your job to sell your startup. Having a rock solid pitch in your back pocket can net you high-level investments, big time attention, and a seat at the table with the big dogs. Debi Kleiman’s First Pitch is a simple, powerful, and highly effective how-to guide for crafting the perfect pitch for anyone — especially those who stand to elevate your business further.
8. Game of Sales: Lessons Learned Working at Adobe, Amazon, Google, and IBM by David Perry
The best books to learn from are those written by authors who have achieved the kind of success you strive for. David Perry’s pedigree is hard to beat, and Game of Sales is the perfect distillation of everything he picked up on at some of the world’s most successful tech companies. Sales is the universal language of business, and using this book to give you a lock on how to sell properly can put you firmly on the right track.
There’s no easy path to being a successful entrepreneur, but getting the right advice can help. By checking out a few of these books, you can put yourself two steps ahead of the competition — all but ensuring a huge 2021 for your business.
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