David Cancel: 10 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read
Steven Kane
· 1 month ago
Nice list. But a little e-marketing-centric, maybe. So I'd add:
How to Make Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
Accounting For Dummies, by John A. Tracy CPA
The Art Of War, by Sun Tzu
David Cancel
· 1 month ago
You found me out... I'm e-marketing centric... :-)
Good list, I need to pickup that Accounting book (despite majoring in accounting)...
Thanks brother, ;dc
robchogo
· 2 months ago
4 Steps to the Epiphany is a favorite of mine on product marketing and customer discovery.
Monica Dickey
· 1 month ago
Thanks. I just checked it out on amazon and I'm going to buy that, it sounds good!
Ade Lack
· 2 months ago
I see you already picked out "Purple Cow", I would also add Seth Godin's "Tribes" and "Meatball Sundae". Both have been such a huge influence on all aspects of my business.
The Entrepreneur's Manual: Business Start-Ups, Spin-Offs, and Innovative Management (ISBN: 0801964547) gets rave reviews on Amazon. The book was published in 77 but numerous reviewers say the book is as relevant now as when it was published. The book has 19 reviews and all are 5/5 stars. The book is out of print so there is no benefit to anyone to pitch this book. It seems to me that the reviews are genuine.
cianchette
· 2 months ago
Hey David, this is a great list. I just ordered the 3 books that I haven't read.
David Cancel
· 2 months ago
Glad you enjoyed it!
I would definitely add Steve Blank's book to the list.
Also - regarding business law - it really depends on the type of business you are starting, how you plan on funding it, etc...I have seen lots of entrepreneurs waste too much time on this. In many cases it is better to land some customers first and prove your idea is viable - then sort out the legal stuff.
Its important to not put too much faith in the legal system. In terms of your relationship w your partners, it often does not matter what agreements you have. If it ever becomes contested to the point where a contract would matter, you will all lose.
As for protection from others outside your company, an LLC is supposed to provide protection. You can form one in a few hours for a couple of hundred dollars. But if you get sued by a company w deep pockets, they will be able to punch through that protection anyway.
Paul Stamatiou
· 2 months ago
Can you add a description of each and what you learned from it? Otherwise this just seems like an Amazon affiliate link push.
David Cancel
· 2 months ago
Hi Paul,
Great point, I'll do that. I posted this too quickly, should've spent time explaining "why".
By the way, huge loyal fan of your blog! David
Paul Stamatiou
· 2 months ago
Thanks! No worries, I've definitely had posts that I just wanted to "get out there" and wrote really quickly too! That being said some of these books look interesting just from what I've seen on amazon.. might end up buying a few!
Best, Paul
veljco
· 2 months ago
Cool. Thanx for the share !!
Jason Markow
· 2 months ago
I would add:
The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization... by Thomas Kelley
and
Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd Is Driving the Future of Business... by Jeff Howe
Finally, Don't build a website without
In Search of Jefferson's Moose: Notes on the State of Cyberspace... by David Post
amberweinberg
· 1 month ago
I've been wanting to read Purple Cows and Tribes. You should add Six Pixels of Separation and Guerrilla Marketing. They've really helped me establish my web development business, and I've gotten quite a few followers on social media from their tips.
David Cancel
· 1 month ago
Thanks Amber. I've never heard of the first and always wanted to read the second. Adding both to my reading list.
thomdahl
· 1 month ago
I am suggesting: Free by Chris Anderson Tribes by Seth Godin Outliers (Afvigerne) by Malcolm Gladwell Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie (So amazing...)
Irish Entrepreneur
· 1 month ago
Thanks for the list! I'm just starting out as an entrepreneur so definitely need this.
April Chapple
· 1 month ago
I loved Purple Cow, Tribes and "Sundae" by Seth Goldin. Great list. I have some catching up to do. thank you!
desmondpieri
· 1 month ago
David, great list. I'd suggest adding "Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur" by VC Dermot Berkery. He gives advice to company founders on how to start a business that will also be fundable by VCs. Very practical advice from a very nice guy (who just happens to be a successful VC.) I'm sure you can find it on Amazon.
David Cancel
· 1 month ago
Cool, will check it out. I've never run across it before.
Cheers, David
mikeurbonas
· 1 month ago
"CEO Logic" by C. Ray Johnson (maybe a little dated, but very, very clearly lays out the (learnable and actionable) skills a CEO should have)
"The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow" by Bruna Martinuzzi
I second the call for Dale Carnegie!
"From Idea to Launch at Internet Speed" by Catherine Kitcho
Thank you for directing me to "Bottoms-Up Marketing" by Al Ries and Jack Trout - I found "Differentiate or Die" very useful too!
Jo Porritt
· 2 weeks ago
Trust Agents by Chris Brogan in respect of the importance of dialogues - not just in social media spheres, but generally...and have to just add that The Cluetrain Manifesto is an absolute classic..10 years on and still loving it..
All Comments
How to Make Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
Accounting For Dummies, by John A. Tracy CPA
The Art Of War, by Sun Tzu
Good list, I need to pickup that Accounting book (despite majoring in accounting)...
Thanks brother,
;dc
Designing for the Social Web is a great read.
We revisit it when implementing new stuff on our website.
I would definitely add Steve Blank's book to the list.
Cheers,
David
Also - regarding business law - it really depends on the type of business you are starting, how you plan on funding it, etc...I have seen lots of entrepreneurs waste too much time on this. In many cases it is better to land some customers first and prove your idea is viable - then sort out the legal stuff.
Its important to not put too much faith in the legal system. In terms of your relationship w your partners, it often does not matter what agreements you have. If it ever becomes contested to the point where a contract would matter, you will all lose.
As for protection from others outside your company, an LLC is supposed to provide protection. You can form one in a few hours for a couple of hundred dollars. But if you get sued by a company w deep pockets, they will be able to punch through that protection anyway.
Great point, I'll do that. I posted this too quickly, should've spent time explaining "why".
By the way, huge loyal fan of your blog!
David
Best,
Paul
The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization... by Thomas Kelley
and
Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd Is Driving the Future of Business... by Jeff Howe
Finally, Don't build a website without
In Search of Jefferson's Moose: Notes on the State of Cyberspace... by David Post
Free by Chris Anderson
Tribes by Seth Godin
Outliers (Afvigerne) by Malcolm Gladwell
Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie (So amazing...)
Cheers,
David
"The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow" by Bruna Martinuzzi
I second the call for Dale Carnegie!
"From Idea to Launch at Internet Speed" by Catherine Kitcho
Thank you for directing me to "Bottoms-Up Marketing" by Al Ries and Jack Trout - I found "Differentiate or Die" very useful too!