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According to a report conducted by Forbes, small businesses have successfully added over 12.9 million jobs in the last 25 years. Statistically, small-business owners have added two-thirds of the jobs to the economy. In addition to this, the same report has revealed that professionals and the business services industry have successfully added over 1.1 million new jobs in the last year alone.
To contribute to the saturated economy and leave a mark in the industry, any aspiring entrepreneur should strengthen their foundation, and what better way to do that than reading books coming straight from experts?
Staying ahead requires constant learning and adaptation in today's fast-paced and competitive world. That's why we have meticulously curated a list of the 20 best business books you must read. From timeless classics to cutting-edge insights, these books offer a wealth of wisdom, strategies, and inspiration from the brightest minds in the business world.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or simply someone eager to enhance your professional skills, this carefully selected collection will guide you towards growth, innovation, and achieving your goals. Get ready to expand your horizons, gain new perspectives, and unlock the secrets to sustainable success.
Let's dive into the world of these must-read business books and revolutionize your business journey.
20 Best business books you must read
Here are the 20 best business books you must read:
- "Spin Selling" by Neil Rackham
- "Mastery" by George Leonard
- "The Brand You 50" by Tom Peters
- "Major Account Sales Strategy" by Neil Rackham
- "Consultative Selling" by Mack Hanan
- "The Discipline of Market Leaders" by Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema
- "What the Customer Wants You to Know" by Ram Charan
- "To Sell Is Human" by Daniel H. Pink
- "Fanatical Prospecting" by Jeb Blount
- "The Sales Development Playbook" by Trish Bertuzzi
- "Little Red Book of Selling" by Jeffrey Gitomer
- "The Psychology of Selling" by Brian Tracy
- "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
- "Exactly What to Say" by Phil Jones
- "The Sales Acceleration Formula" by Mark Roberge
- "Tell to Win" by Peter Guber
- "The Brain Audit" by Sean D'Souza
- "Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play" by Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig
- "SNAP Selling" by Jill Konrath
- "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey
1. "Spin Selling" by Neil Rackham
This is one of the best business books where the author introduces the SPIN Selling methodology, which focuses on asking effective questions to disclose customer needs and improve the sales process. The author presents large-size research findings for handling different types of sales situations.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
Bought it for Course Careers sales class and love it.
Of the three books in the course, this one really stood out to me. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is a classic, and "Fanatical Prospecting" has some great insights, but this book truly changed my perspective on sales. As someone who has always been turned off by cheesy car salesman tactics, I appreciated that this book offers a more authentic approach……..sales!.
- Paul Atkinson
Where can you get it Buy "Spin Selling" from Amazon
2. "Mastery" by George Leonard
The author of this book discovers expertise in any field, highlighting the journey rather than the objective. The author comments that mastery is a long-lasting process that requires dedication, patience, and consistent performance. The book offers recommendations on overcoming challenges, embracing different stages, and maintaining a constant growth mindset to achieve true knowledge.
Ratings: 4.5/5
Review
Goal and process
I have been involved in the goal setting process for quite some time and seen how processes suffer if there is an over emphasis on goals instead of processes. And I have also seen how laziliness can make process an escape from achieving our goals. He covers this point wonderfully and emplasises on goal based process. I feel a goal is with less without a solid process and a process with a goal is also equally worthless. If we can focus ........ Happy reading.
- Shivjot Singh Cheema
Where to get it: Buy "Mastery" from Amazon
3. "The Brand You 50" by Tom Peters
The author of this book focuses on personal identity and the importance of developing a unique brand in a competitive world. The author provides readers with practical advice on defining and effectively communicating one's personal brand. Also, how to adapt, learn and grow in the market.
Ratings: 4.2/5
Review
"Take control of your career by standing out as your unique self" is the point of this book.
If you're going to read anything on personal branding, start with this book as Tom was the first to ever use the term "Personal Branding." His books are always worth reading despite his annoying endless upbeat optimism, foo!ish use on end!ess !!!!!!, TOO MANY CAPS, and font mania.
- Ted Demopoulos
Where to get it: Buy "The Brand You 50" from Amazon
4. "Major Account Sales Strategy" by Neil Rackham
The book provides effective strategies to readers for selling to important accounts and large customers. The book provides highlights of the unique challenges and opportunities associated with main account sales, featuring the importance of building trust, understanding customer needs, and delivering value throughout the sales process.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
Major Account Sales Strategy
Great reading to understand all the stages of the sales process. Really good insights, examples and cases to reflect upon different scenarios. Neil Rackham must be the best author on this subject and his has a vast experience in sales which makes him an authority to learn from.
100% recommended also because you can start applying this methods straight away.
- Cristian Garcia
Where to get it: Buy "Major Account Sales Strategy" from Amazon
5. "Consultative Selling" by Mack Hanan
The author of this book suggests bits of advice for-selling approach, focusing on understanding customer needs and providing customized and better solutions. The book highlights the importance of building trust, asking important and meaningful questions, active listening, and collaborating with customers to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
Ratings: 4.2/5
Review
Consultative Selling
I have been looking for the right language to talk about my services and by learning The Hanan Formula I feel much better equipment to speak about my services as a consultant, where previously I spoke and sounded like a Vendor.
I recommend this book for coaches and consultants who are specialising in emotional intelligence, sales trainings and business model innovation.
- Daniel Tolson
Where to get it: Buy "Consultative Selling" from Amazon
6. "The Discipline of Market Leaders" by Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema
The author of this book offers three strategic disciplines that companies can adopt to improve the market operational excellence, product leadership, and customer companionship. The author argues that companies must choose and focus on one discipline while maintaining the knowledge of market leadership.
Ratings: 4.4/5
Review
The Discipline of Market Leaders
Purchased this as a requirement for a graduate level course. I had 2 months to read the book before any material related to the book would be due. I ended up finishing the book within a few hours of starting it and got ahead in that class.
- Robyn B
Where to get it: Buy "The Discipline of Market Leaders" from Amazon
7. "What the Customer Wants You to Know" by Ram Charan
The author of this book challenges businesses to shift their focus from internal operations to understanding and meeting customer needs effectively. The author highlights the importance of building a customer-centric organization, gaining deep knowledge of customer desires, and constantly adapting to dynamic customer expectations.
Ratings: 4.3/5
Review
What the Customer Wants You to Know
It is a life changing To-Do Manual. Business Deveoment, Sales and Buy-In all rolled into. Must read for any Business Owner, CEO, CMO, CFO.
– M G Agarwal
Where to get it: Buy "What the Customer Wants You to Know" from Amazon
8. "To Sell Is Human" by Daniel H. Pink
The author of this book argues that everyone, despite their profession, engages in selling on a daily basis. The author focuses on social science research, Pink explores the art of persuasion and provides practical strategies for influencing others and converting them to action.
Ratings: 4.4/5
Review
To Sell Is Human
I thought I was the only one in sales until I read this book. We're all in sales, just as the author says. Definately contains practical knowledge on how to Pitch sales and also how to create the Environment for sale (If you know what I mean)!
- Jasmeet
Where can you get it: Buy "To Sell Is Human" from Amazon
9. "Fanatical Prospecting" by Jeb Blount
The author of this book talks about the critical role of surveying in the sales process and provides practical guidance on how to overcome the challenges. The book offers strategies for finding and engaging potential customers, controlling rejection, and maintaining discipline and consistency in exploring the efforts.
Ratings: 4.7/5
Review
Fanatical Prospecting
A sales must read..superb coverage. A 360 degree view of the entire sales process and challenges and extremely insightful solutions to all sales challenges. The bonus is the additional material one gets on the website. Doesn't matter where one is in the sales food chain...a solid learning experience for all.
- Sanjay Aikat
Where to get it: Buy "Fanatical Prospecting" from Amazon
10. "The Sales Development Playbook" by Trish Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi provides a comprehensive guide to building and scaling a successful sales development team. The book covers various aspects of sales development, including defining roles and responsibilities, designing effective processes, leveraging technology, and aligning sales and marketing efforts.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
Hands-on guide for the SDR process. You should get a hard copy and keep it by your desk for quick reference on a day to day basis.
- Madhu Babu EM
Where to get it: Buy "The Sales Development Playbook" from Amazon
11. "Little Red Book of Selling" by Jeffrey Gitomer
The author of this book provides practical and useful tips on how to sell effectively. The book highlights the importance of building relationships, delivering uncommon value, and understanding the customer's needs. The author focuses on developing trust by asking the right questions and providing solutions that help the customer.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
Little Red Book of Selling
Good book to understand some tips of selling. It gives insights about sales pitch and sales calls. Good for general reading about sales skills.
- Jayakrishnan
Where to get it: Buy "Little Red Book of Selling" from Amazon
12. "The Psychology of Selling" by Brian Tracy
The author of this book discovers the psychological aspects of selling and how understanding human behavior can enhance sales success. The author explains various principles to influence customers' buying decisions and build long-term relationships.
Ratings: 4.2/5
Review
The Psychology of Selling
The book is very valuable and gave deep insights about what the top and highly paid millionaire salespeople believe, intend, think and do differently. What is the difference between failure and success and how to exactly achieve it. Must read book for everyone who wants to increase his income in any business where selling is involved. Go for it, don't think about the cost, it is much less.
- Suraj Shahapure
Where to get it: Buy "The Psychology of Selling" from Amazon
13. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
In this book, the author guides readers to explore the mindset and principles necessary for achieving success in any sales. The author highlights the power of thoughts, visualization, goal setting, and patience. The book shares real-life examples and provides a blueprint for personal achievement.
Ratings: 4.4/5
Review
Think and Grow Rich
This is a wonderful book wrote almost 100 years back but still relevant and will be relevant. As the closing line days.. it's a master key to have a wonderful and meaning life. To get whatever one desire from life, including abundance of Money and sucess. I just read it once and will read it many time to understand and implement.
- Neeraj
Where to get it: Buy "Think and Grow Rich" from Amazon
14. "Exactly What to Say" by Phil Jones
The author of this book offers practical guidance on effective communication and encouragement. The author shares specific phrases and language patterns that can influence others. The book focuses on key moments in sales conversations and provides insights on closing deals and building trust.
Ratings: 4.3/5
Review
Exactly What to Say
Book is authored for simiplicity. Chosen words are very effective and mint gold. Including magic words in your vocabulary maximises your engagment impact.
I have shared the book with my family members too.
- Vinod Mehra
Where to get it: Buy "Exactly What to Say" from Amazon
15. "The Sales Acceleration Formula" by Mark Roberge
The author of this book shares his experiences and tactics for rapidly growing sales teams. The book focuses on a data-centric approach to hire, manage, and train salespeople. The author highlights tips for boosting sales growth and generating a high-performing sales organization.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
The Sales Acceleration Formula
Actual learning experience, a small the things are implemented first and then recorded.
Almost all the things are for immediate implementation.
Short but, detailed explanations of all experiments and ideas to scale and predictable sales.
- Anmol
Where can you get it: Buy "The Sales Acceleration Formula" from Amazon
16. "Tell to Win" by Peter Guber
The author of this book discusses the ability of storytelling to convey messages, and attract people effectively. This book talks about the power of storytelling as a strategic instrument to achieve success in both personal and professional aspects. The book offers real-life experiences to explain how storytelling can contribute to establishing strong connections.
Ratings: 4.4/5
Review
Tell to Win
It's a good read, we get the jist of the most important element of a great story to tell other in order to win or sell anything. Stories from known CEO to public figure, sharing some of their most intimate moments. It's a book who helps deconstruct a great story for saying it later with high purpose.
-Kevin Lubin
Where to get it: Buy "Tell to Win" from Amazon
17. "The Brain Audit" by Sean D'Souza
This book gives you knowledge of the psychology behind customer decision-making. The book provides a model for understanding and influencing the buying process. In this book, the author discusses the seven key stages a customer goes through before making a purchase and offers practical strategies for each stage.
Ratings: 4.7/5
Review
Wow
The best marketing book I've ever read. It teaches you why customers do not purchase and how to change it. I was doubting this book would be like others and would only skim some clichés and go away. But it doesn't. Is the most original and yet thoughtbreaker marketing book ever written. It' also really fast to read (it took me 3 days, even in the trimester's exams week). Hope you enjoy it!
- Antonio Peña
Where to get it: Buy "The Brain Audit" from Amazon
18. "Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play" by Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig
The main aim of this book is to focus on building original relationships and providing value-based solutions to the sales process. The author of this book challenges traditional sales approaches and highlights the importance of understanding the client's needs. Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig provide practical strategies and techniques for effective selling based on trust, integrity, and a deep understanding of the client's business.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
This is a wonderful, wonderful book
This is a wonderful, wonderful book. It is for you if 1. you want a disciplined approach to B2B selling (especially for complex services or products) that works and 2. you've ever felt conflicted about the ethics of selling. Highly recommended!
- govind mukundan
Where to get it: Buy "Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play" from Amazon
19. "SNAP Selling" by Jill Konrath
The author of this book introduces a fresh perspective on selling in today's rapid business environment. The book highlights the importance of capturing and maintaining the attention of prospects. The author also offers a framework based on simplicity, valuable insights, aligned goals, and Priority solutions.
Ratings: 4.4/5
Review
Great read for those who have careers in any form of selling
Snap selling brings out the most human failings in the prospective customer's life to the fore. For any person whose career revolves around any part of the sales funnel, it's a must-read on behavioural and tactical approaches to convincing the prospect and closing the deal!
- Siddhi Prada Bhattacharyya
Where can you get it Buy "SNAP Selling" from Amazon
20. "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey
In this book the author offers seven habits that can help people in observing and learning effectiveness in various areas of life. As professional growth is important in the same manner, personal growth is also important. The book focuses on the positive changes one can experience by prioritizing tasks and constantly improving.
Ratings: 4.6/5
Review
Great book - one of the best
Had a prof in college recommend this way back when... At the time i considered it fluff stuff and tossed it. This was during my master's program where anything that didn't talk about numbers would have seemed fluff. Also you may get the feeling of "common sense" as you read it. However...……. literally read hundreds!
- Bryan Harvey
Where to get it: Buy "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" from Amazon
Conclusion
The business books mentioned above are written by very successful and experienced writers. The book gives important factors which an individual can focus on, like evaluating themselves, observing and then taking action on the challenges, generating strong relationships with customers and colleagues, and constantly attracting growth towards personal and professional development.
These books offer important personal and professional development strategies and effective sales strategies.
