10 Books that taught important lessons and influenced businesses in 2015

The best industrial leaders are not afraid to ask others for help, or to listen to the ideas and inspiration that others can bring to a business. Part of the reason these people are so successful is acknowledging that they do not have all the answers. Perhaps one of the best ways to locate new ideas, techniques and to become a better business leader is to read one of the following books and learn from them:

1.  Influence – written by Robert B. Cialdini

Influence focuses on business persuasion. It underlines the principle of saying yes and why people are likely to do so.  By understanding this you will be able to adapt your marketing in order to answer your potential customers questions before they ask them; this will ensure they buy your product.

2.  Rock Breaks Scissors – written by William Poundstone

This book takes an in-depth look at human psychology. In particular it studies everyday events and how our reactions affect the outcome. It is possible to calculate the most likely response from someone regarding anything, even the rock, paper scissors game. Rock Breaks Scissors will improve your people reading skills and decision making personally and professionally.

3.  Steve Jobs – written by Walter Issacson

The book tells the story of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple and an inspiration to many.  It provides many insights into how a successful company was built from nothing and maintains a strong foothold in the technological world. Steve Jobs will help you to understand the importance of passion and of understanding what your own mission is.

4.   The Charge – written by Brendon Burchard

This book is written in a similar vein to Steve Jobs. It describes the importance of passion in achieving your goals and the importance of knowing these goals. This will ensure you live a more fulfilling and rewarding life. Perhaps the most important lesson knows what you want and working towards that; not what others want you to do.

5.  Getting Things Done – written by David Allen

This is actually a reprint and revised version of an original concept. The premise is simply to look at what you do and how you achieve anything; then, to dissect this process and improve productivity for both yourself and your business by re-focusing on the techniques which should be employed to ensure you and your staff get everything done.

6.   Turn the Ship Around – written by L. David Marquet

Turn The Ship Around looks at how, as companies grow, they often struggle with achieving the right results.  It teaches you how to focus on leading the company and for each member of your team to be prepared to take ownership of their actions and contributions. Having a team who are able to use their own initiative will ensure your business goes from strength to strength.

7.   Traction – written by Gino Wickman

This book will help you to look at and re-evaluate your business team. It will show you how having the right people on your team; combined with a set of core values and some good, simple, daily business plans, can make all the difference to your business. These core values can be used to assist you in setting the right targets.

8.   The Lion Awakes – written by Ashish J. Thakkar

The Lion Awakes covers Africa and its rapidly developing economy.  It serves to remind you that Africa is not the poverty stricken country so often portrayed in the news. Perhaps most importantly, the book will remind you that anything is possible, no matter where you live and that there are always at least two sides to a story.

9.   Man’s Search for Meaning – written by Viktor Frankl

The author of this book actually lived through, and survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. Man’s Search For Meaning looks at the fear experienced daily in these camps and retells his story. It also highlights the importance of searching for a meaning in life; something that humans have been doing since the dawn of humanity.

10. Liar’s Poker – written by Michael Lewis

Liar’s Poker is a history of Wall Street and the characters which exist within the financial world. It starts in the 1980’s and is designed to remind people of the challenges, disappointments and the temptations which will stand in your way when entering this world.

By Davis Miller and LoveReading.co.uk!