5 great reads for Small Business Owners

Whether you’re usually a reader or not, books promise a wealth of knowledge and ideas for any small business owner.  

And whether you read them all in one sitting or over the space of months, via audiobook or opt for a traditional physical book, there’s a lot you could learn and apply to your own business.  

Here are five fantastic reads for small business owners – and what they could offer you (and if you’re not sure where to find them, try one of our local bookstores!).  

1. Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss  

Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, so he knows a thing or two about difficult conversations. He has taken his lifetime of training and experience and poured it into this book, offering everyone his incredible wisdom on how to handle negotiations of any kind.  

So even if you’re not negotiating hostage release, it’s likely you’ll use the tips when dealing with difficult customers, negotiating an employee’s contract, securing deals with suppliers, or simply helping to close a sale.  

This is the kind of book you don’t want your competition to have read, but a hugely beneficial one for any small business owner.  

2. Starting a Business All-in-One For Dummies 

The classics are classic for a reason, and this one should be on the shelf for anyone getting started.  

It talks you through business plans, marketing, hiring, selling, bookkeeping, and everything in between. It’s a Community Futures Howe Sound one-on-one session in a book, and much more in depth.  

3. The E-Myth Revisited - Michael Gerber 

This is one of the most popular reads for small business owners the world over. It’s even written by ‘The World’s #1 Small Business Guru.’ 

In it, Gerber explains his idea of the ‘e-myth’ (an entrepreneur myth). That is, anyone who has technical knowledge of a skillset or business will also have the skills to run a business. 

For example, imagine a graphic designer gets tired of working in an agency and decides to go it alone by starting their own business. Gerber argues that even though they could be fantastic at their job, they might not be fantastic at business management.  

And that, he claims, is why so many small businesses fail. Fortunately, Gerber also takes the reader though how they can avoid this fate, from getting started to working through growing pains to reaching business maturity.  

4. Unreasonable Hospitality - Will Guidara  

Will Guidara became famous as the co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, a New York restaurant that won the title of the best restaurant in the world. In Unreasonable Hospitality, he shares the story of how he got there – and why customer service was the key to it all.  

While food and beverage establishments may well get the most out of this book, anyone who interacts with customers in any function can learn a considerable amount. He even goes into depth about how he looks after his staff so they can better cater to customers, and how he set up internal programs to create the best customer experience humanly possible. 

5. Profit First - Mike Michalowicz 

A reported 82% of small businesses fail due to cash flow issues. So at the end of the day, it often simply comes down to your bottom line.  

Profit First offers SMBs cash management solutions that can help with profitability. However, it does that by turning conventional wisdom on its head. Instead of the usual formula of ‘sales minus expenses = profit’, author Michalowicz suggests using ‘sales - profit = expenses’.  

With case studies, advice, and a bit of humour,  Michalowicz shares the wisdom that make him a multi-millionaire by age 35.  

Get more business advice with Community Futures Howe Sound  

If books just aren’t for you, and you’d rather have personalized, one-on-one advice from someone who has run successful businesses and knows the Sea to Sky, you’re in the right place.  

Our local advisors are on hand for free advice for all Sea to Sky business owners – or anyone thinking of becoming one. Book a session here to get started.