Your journey toward obtaining your MBA will be filled with plenty of textbooks, but textbooks aren’t the only prose that can train you for a successful career in business. Some books are famous for their ability to provide sound information and galvanizing motivation for businesspeople. Put these five books on your to-read list.
1. “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith
Being in the business world, it will help to know certain aspects of capitalism that are still in play. “The Wealth of Nations” can help you do that, despite the book being written in 1776. This work will teach you the basic principles of modern economics with broad topics such as productivity, free market trade, and the division of labor. With this knowledge, you can impress your co-workers and potential employers.
2. “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
With over 15 million copies sold, this book remains one of the best-selling non-fiction business books of all time. Time Magazine even listed it as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Business Management Books.” By learning what Covey calls timeless and universal character ethics, you can learn to be effective not only in the business world, but in your personal life.
If you have trouble setting and maintaining goals, this book is a lifesaver. Even President Clinton invited Covey to counsel him on how to incorporate these principles into his presidency.
3. “The Art Of War” By Sun Tzu
Although this work may seem like it’s a strategic guide to militaristic domination, it offers doctrines that you can apply to aspects of your life. It teaches the reader how to break down and assess complex issues in a strategic manner, and it points out how not being able to do so can limit your thought process. Whether you want to get your MBA or invade a small country, this book is a must read.
4. “The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age Of Amazon” by Brad Stone
Listed on Business Insider’s “6 Most Influential Books of 2013,” this book gives insight into Amazon.com’s founder, Jeff Bezos, one of the world’s greatest success stories. Although the company started out as merely an online book seller, Bezos’ relentless pursuit of perfection and ambition drove him to create one of the biggest companies in America. By reading this book, you can learn his perspective on the business world and how to make your venture into it more successful.
5. “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” by Malcolm Gladwell
This book explains how the success of business is highly dependent on the so-called “80/20″ principle which states that 80% of the work in business is carried out by only 20% of people. He goes on to describe how being part of the 20% can put you ten steps ahead of your colleagues.
If you are planning to enter an MBA program, be sure to consult these books. While there are many more out there, these five can help shape your perspective and mold you into a more effective businessperson.
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