Is there a better time of year to boost your mental energy than the Summer?
In business, you should always learn from the experts. An excellent way to do this is by reading business books this Summer. From family vacations, staycations, or maybe just a long weekend, you can surely pass time and learn a thing or two from a business book.
Whether you’re a manager, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to simply gain knowledge it’s a good idea to pick up a book. Check out the top 4 business books we recommend all leaders add to their Summer reading list.
Top 4 Business Books To Read This Summer
1. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Summary:
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni describes a fictional tale about a CEO who takes over a new company that seemingly has it all. From a reputable executive team, millions in the bank, the best technology, and some of the best products they appear to have everything needed to succeed. However, they’re still struggling because of the lack of the most important thing: teamwork.
By exploring the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, the book describes how companies are prone to disaster if employees and employers fail to grow together.
Who Should Read It:
All leaders.
What We Loved:
This story will resonate with any leader who has ever struggled to get his or her team to work together to achieve amazing results. The book is easy to read, gives some practical advice, and includes a visual framework for identifying team dysfunction.
2. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Summary:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck delves into decades of research on how our mindset dictates our ability to grow and succeed. It explores the concept of everyone having a choice in the matter through the power of our mindset.
“Through clever research studies and engaging writing, Dweck illuminates how our beliefs about our capabilities exert tremendous influence on how we learn and which paths we take in life.”
—Bill Gates, GatesNotes
Who Should Read It:
Anyone looking to grow and succeed.
What We Loved:
In this book, you will be shown countless examples of how your mind either hinders you, or allows you to succeed in ways that you never imagined.
3. The Sales Coach’s Playbook by Bill Barlett
Summary:
The Sales Coach’s Playbook by Bill Barlett is a manual on how to coach salespeople to succeed in their roles using the Sandler Selling System. To unlock the sales potential of each employee, managers should act not only as supervisors but also as coaches.
Who Should Read It:
Sales leaders and managers.
What We Loved:
In this book, you’ll discover how to coach your entire sales team using a detailed system you can implement and use again.
4. Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman
Summary:
Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman highlights the key roles of visionaries and integrators in companies. When these two unique executive personas come together, they are often behind rapid growth companies.
Who Should Read It:
Entrepreneurs and business leaders.
What We Loved:
In the book, you’ll find assessments that will help you determine whether you’re a visionary or integrator. By knowing which you are, you can choose a business partner that will help you become successful.
Why Read A Business Book this Summer?
It’s important to stay sharp, and using the extra Summertime on your hands to pick up a book is a good choice. Aside from gaining the benefits of reading like mental stimulation, knowledge, enhanced vocabulary, and stress reduction; maybe learning that industry leaders also have healthy reading habits will convince you. Check out the average reading habits of successful people.
Busy Leaders Who Make Time To Read:
Reading isn’t a competition, it’s about gaining valuable knowledge. This Summer, make a conscious choice to enhance your company by reading a business book. Below are two strong reasons reading is a great option for your Summer downtime.
Reading Can Improve Business Growth
“Business Books” is a broad term that describes the following types of books: How-to books, learning books, biographies, career improvement, self-help, leadership, psychology, and more. Although a general term, any of the types of books that fall beneath Business Books can improve business growth.
Many of these books are very subject-centered. However, the beauty of a good author is they will describe the concept in detail. A deep understanding is needed to fully comprehend and learn from it. Whether a leadership book or a psychology book, always improving and learning new practices allows your business to try new things. As a result, the business can grow.
Summer Reading Can Empower Sales
Summer sales are not a blockbuster season for most businesses. Many people are out on vacation and it can be hard to reach them. You’ve probably experienced this yourself. Instead of letting this sales season bring you down, find out how to change that. With business books, you can find new ways to empower your sales effort no matter the season. While you won’t see your best numbers this Summer, you can spend your time reading and learning to make up for lost profits the rest of the year with new ideas and methods learned from your Summer reading list.
Key Takeaways of Reading this Summer
Every day you strive to reach your career goals. You go through the routine meetings, coffee runs, and looking over sales quotas. However, have you made time to invest in your knowledge? Check out the key takeaways of reading this Summer below.
- Develop Your People Skills
- Boost Creativity
- Strengthen Analytical Skills
- Improve Your Thinking Skills
- Healthier Mentality
Every Department Can Benefit
Although many business books target entrepreneurs and managers, it also targets leaders. And leaders can be found in any department. Encourage your team to join you in beginning a Summer business reading list. If you are growing, you want the people you trust with your business to grow with you.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
Summer plans jam-packed? No worries, you can always check out the audiobook version. During car rides, before bed, or even on a walk you can gain vital information easily. In addition, maybe you’d like to gain a more broad and catered form of business information, for this, we recommend you listen to the following business podcasts.
3 Podcasts To Boost Your Business
- HBR IdeaCast: Don’t have time to read the Harvard Business Review? No problem, they do a weekly podcast.
- Mixergy: Gain knowledge from interviews with top entrepreneurs including founders of Wikipedia, Linked In, and more.
- Rise and Grind: Hosted by Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, you can learn how to approach obstacles and find success.
Enhance Your Business with 360Connect
At 360Connect, we are big supporters of staying up to date on business books. Our office library is well-stocked with various books that can be utilized by a team member at any time.
That being said, we are also big supporters of helping your business succeed. Improve sales and grow your business when you become a 360Connect Supplier.