As Founder and President of The Eppy Group, there have been many obstacles to overcome and lessons learned along the way. One very important piece of advice I would have given to my younger self would be to read, educate, and understand as much as possible from other successful industry professionals. I believe that every good entrepreneur begins as a great leader, and there are numerous books out there written by that can help take your new business to the next level. When it comes to business, one can never be overeducated.
Over the years, I’ve been able to compile a list of books that I highly recommend to any up-and-coming professional.
Never Eat Alone
Author(s): Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz
Ferrazzi lays out the easy-to-follow strategies he used as a young professional to reach out to people he admired, and readers can use them to start becoming an effective networker. Relationship building is the key to being successful and who you know has a lot to do with how much you accomplish. Having an individualized relationship with a client can make all of the difference for the future of the client and the business.
The Tipping Point
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Twenty-somethings today have grown up with social media, but they’re tapping into a timeless form of communication. Gladwell is a master of using data and reporting to illustrate an explanation of a certain aspect of society’s mechanics. The Tipping Point includes insights into how and why people distribute ideas and information until they become an “epidemic,” and how little things can make a big difference. The power of social media has trampled verbal communication, and interviewers really do judge you off of how well you can communicate in an interview. Although it’s easy to sell somebody via an email, how many of us can do so face-to-face?
So Good They Can’t Ignore You
Author: Cal Newport
Newport explains how some of the most common advice you’ll hear when you’re starting out is that if you pursue your passion, the money will follow. For most people, he says, mastery of a certain skill can lead you to finding your passion, since the mastery of this skill can open new doors and allow you to progress in your career. He’s not suggesting you give up on your dreams, but ensure that you pair them with a dose of reality and make yourself valuable in the marketplace. At The Eppy Group, we are undeniably committed to our clients and hold ourselves and each other accountable, while supporting one another and knowing that with passion and determination as our driving force, we can become one the best financial services organization in the area.
The One Minute Manager
Author(s): Kenneth Blanchard, Spencer Johnson
The One Minute Manager provides techniques that allow readers to increase their productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. The results in the book were achieved through learning the management techniques that spell profitability for the organization and its employees. Every entrepreneur has their own technique, but may take some time to figure out their niche and what makes them successful. The Eppy Group has been able to discover our four step process of analyzing, recommending, implementing and reviewing, to ensure that clients are on the course to achieving their goals. Each business owner has found what works for them, and this book will help one discover what their path is.
The Power of Habit
Author: Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit is one of the most useful and entertaining books for young professionals looking to set themselves up for a lifetime of health and happiness. Duhigg explains how the road to success – whether that means quitting smoking or procrastinating – is paved with tiny behavior tweaks you can implement today. It takes 21 days to turn a daily action into a habit, but when you’re striving for success in any field, you know that keeping routine is important. Consistency is key, and I know that my company must always keep consistent to continue to climb the ladder, and up-and-coming professionals should do the same.
Start With Why
Author: Simon Siken
Start With Why teaches how great leaders inspire everybody to take action and offers an unconventional perspective that explains the reasons some leaders and organizations are more innovative, more profitable, command greater loyalties from customers and employees alike and, most importantly, are able to repeat their success over and over. In order to be a great business owner or entrepreneur, chances are, you are some type of a leader. Leadership is an acquired skill that entrepreneurs should be able to adopt in order to properly sell their business.
Built To Last
Author: James C Collins
Built To Last is visionary companies and shatters myths, provides new insights, and gives practical guidance to those who would like to build landmark companies that stand the test of time. If you want to keep your business around and keep your sales rising, it is important to keep with the times. The industry is constantly changing and one should always want to advance and be better.
Give and Take
Author: Adam Grant
Grant is an organizational psychologist and outlines that the view of being barbaric and backstabbing in order to grow professionally is dead wrong. His research indicates that people who create the most value for others are often the ones who end up on the top of their feels, and shows readers how to do it. Kindness is everything. In order to reach the top, you must be willing to help others and make a difference in the community, not just in your own field.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
Author: Dale Carnegit
Carnegie’s books is more focused on the psychology behind daily interactions and how to use an understanding of how people work to emerge as a leader and influencer. The core lessons on how to overcome conflict and inspire people to open up to you are just as valuable today as they were decades ago. Understanding how to work with a team and successfully doing so is the first step in being able to work well with clients and others.
Zero to One
Author: Peter Thiel
Twenty-somethings today live in a world where startups turn young entrepreneurs into billionaires. Zero to One is an enjoyable and concise guide to how game-changing businesses are built and managed. There are many start up companies that exist now that will be multi-millionaires by next year, it all depends on how bad you want it. If you want to succeed and do it right, you have to learn the right management style and be able to lead by example.
Innovation and new ideas for a business is what keeps our country moving forward. But there is a lot to be said about taking the page out of the book from someone who is doing it right. Always learn new things and educate yourself on being better today than you were yesterday.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Moyan Brenn
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This guest post is courtesy of Joe Eppy, Founder and President of The Eppy Group.
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