Good Books are often packed with ideas – life changing ideas. Ideas that work.
As Mrs Modupe Ehirim put it, when you read a book, you have effectively stepped out of your box to see things from the box (perspective) of the Author. Then, you have started thinking outside your Box. Believe me my friend, reading will stretch your mind and ensure that your mind never returns to its original dimensions. That is why you should consider reading quality books regularly.
Are you running your own business in Africa? Are you considering starting one? Are you concerned about growing your Business? Then, you are on the right website.
We reached out to leading business people in Africa and beyond via our twitter handle @konnect_africa and we asked them one question:-
“what books would you recommend for reading by African Entrepreneurs in 2015?”.
From their answers, we have compiled a list of the top 10 business books you should read in 2015. Let’s take a look.
1) Think and Grow Rich by Napoloen Hill
To think that this book was written in 1937 is just mind-blowing. The wisdom expressed by Napoleon Hill in this Classic still holds true today. It was a product of over 20 years research based on the Author’s close association with a large number of individuals who achieved great wealth during their lifetimes.
I read it last year and it proved to be a highly motivational and personal development book with uncommon secrets for Life, Family and business . I found out that the teachings in the book can be used by anyone in any area of human endeavor to succeed and achieve anything they want. This book was suggested by Mike Pitt, Founder & CEO, MarketFundamentals.com (@TheMikePitt)
2) Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras
This book is a product of a six-year research project that sought to understand what makes enduring great companies. Jim Collins and Jerry Porras shared their finding in this book with examples based on true-life stories and validated with research data. Dear African Entrepreneur, you want to read this one. It was suggested by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings (@TonyOElumelu) and Mike Pitt, Founder & CEO, MarketFundamentals.com (@TheMikePitt)
3) Good to Great By Jim Collins
After researching 1400+ companies, which were later pruned down to only 11 “great” companies based on long term financial performance in the American stock markets, Jim Collins and his research team came to a conclusion – Good Company + X = Great Company. Find out what X is in this book – Good to Great.
It was suggested by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings (@TonyOElumelu) and Tony Rutakirwa (@TonnyRutakirwa)
4) Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell defines an Outlier as a person “who doesn’t fit into our normal understanding of achievement.” According to Him, great men and women are beneficiaries of specialization, collaboration, time, place, and culture. An outlier’s recipe for success is not personal mythos but the synthesis of opportunity and time on task. Interesting thoughts, right? I have read this one, it is thought provoking all the way. Reach for it and digest it all.
It was suggested by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings (@TonyOElumelu)
5) David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
David and Goliath challenges the way that we perceive disadvantages, obstacles and challenges in life. With true-life experiences scattered all of the book, Gladwell begins by telling the biblical story of David and Goliath. From there, he takes the reader through multiple events which shows how difficult events can lead to huge success and breakthrough if the person facing these struggles uses it to their advantage. I will definitely read this book this year.
This book was suggested by the Multiple award-winning Tech Entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, Chikosi Tawanda (@ChikosiTawanda)
Sir Richard is committed to building a better world through responsible, holistic business practices and ventures. He has his hands in a number of pies and he wrote this book as his autobiography to share how his foray in business began. Are you already thinking of owning a group of companies? Then you would want to know how Richard did it. Read this book and be inspired.
It was suggested by Uwana Abraham (@YouDoubleAir), our friend on Facebook.
7) Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
If you are as intrigued with the life of Steve Jobs as much as I am, then this book is for you. It is based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years by the Walter Isaacson – a former Executive at CNN and Time. This is in addition to interviews with more than one hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues. Isaacson was given us an “unprecedented” access to Steve Jobs’s life. Loads of stuff to learn, I kid you not.
It was suggested by Uwana Abraham (@YouDoubleAir), our friend on Facebook.
Someone who had a forty-year career at General Electric, leading the company to year-after-year of success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition, He certainly knows what He is saying. Draw some quality insights from him as you read his book.
This book was suggested by Tony Rutakirwa (@TonnyRutakirwa)
9) Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy
Success in business requires ruthless execution of plans. As one of the world’s most acclaimed CEOs, a man with few peers who has a track record for delivering results, Larry Bossidy has seen it all. Along with Ram Charan – a legendary advisor to senior executives and boards of directors, a man with unparalleled insight into why some companies are successful and others are not, they have pooled their knowledge and experience together into one book on how to close the gap between results promised and results delivered that people in business need today. I will read this one.
It was suggested by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings (@TonyOElumelu). No wonder He is so accomplished today. Now, let’s go to our last book.
One dad was very educated, worked hard, and made a good income. However, he held traditional views about money and as a result ended up struggling financially all his life – call him Poor dad.
The other dad did not have a college degree, also worked hard, but he thrived financially. Unlike poor dad, he had a rich mindset and thought about money very differently. Through the Rich Dad’s financial advice, Robert Kiyosaki discovered how to let money work for him and become a successful business owner. Find this book and read. It is packed with lessons.
This book was suggested by the Multiple award-winning Tech Entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, Chikosi Tawanda (@ChikosiTawanda)
Now it is your turn. What books have you read in 2015? What books will you read in 2015?
These are great books. I have read some of them and recommend them to everyone. I was doing some research on entrepreneurship books written by Nigerians/Africans. Haven’t seen much of them around online. Any pointers?