Congrats, you’ve traded in your backpack and you’ve learned how to iron a button-down shirt.
Still, something tells us there’s more to learn.
Luckily, these business books will teach you how to be more effective at work, how to rock those networking events, and even how to successfully launch a new business.
Here are 7 business books every young professional should read:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen Covey
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. Covey wrote the book after years of studying, practising, and teaching these principles. He distilled them into 7 habits with step-by-step pathways making the book accessible to everyone. This is a classic book with advice that never ages.
Do One Thing Different
Bill O’Hanion
Moving from school to the business world isn’t easy. You might have a few habits you want to get ride of but are having trouble leaving behind. Well, you can move quickly from stuck still to smooth sailing in all aspects of your life using Bill O’Hanlon’s ten easy Solution Keys. Humorous, direct, and effective, these tips will help you solve problems both personal and professional.
Networking for People Who Hate Networking
Devora Zack
Being introverted is a positive trait for many reasons but it does make networking particularly challenging. In Networking for People Who Hate Networking, Devora Zack shares tips on how to network effectively without going against who you are as an introvert. The networking commandments are reworked so you can enter a room of strangers and leave with new contacts and better opportunities.
Launch
Jeff Walker
Launching a new business is nerve-racking. Let’s not mince words. It takes guts to do it. By your launch date, you’ve spent many, many hours and a great deal of your own money working towards this goal. A successful launch is vital. Launch is a solid guide for planning your online marketing strategy. It’ll get you started thinking early on as to where best to focus your efforts.
Aaker on Branding
David Aacker
Your brand is how your clients relate to you and your business. Companies spend millions developing their brand so that you associate Apple with sleek design and Google with trustworthiness. Even the newest company or freelancer needs branding to stand out. Aaker on Branding will help you develop a solid brand that inspires both you and your customers.
Eat That Frog!
Brian Tracy
Procrastinating. We all do it. When a challenge arises, you have social media and on-demand streaming services ready for you to procrastinate for hours. Tracy’s book includes terms you’ve always heard but never fully understood. The 80/20 Rule and the Law of Three are my golden standards now. You need them in your life too.
Mental Floss Presents Condensed Knowledge
Edited by Will Pearson, Mangesh Hattikudur, and Elizabeth Hunt
This is a humorous book by the editors of Mental Floss. When you’re attending a networking event, it’s helpful to have background knowledge on a variety of topics. With chapters on chemistry, economics, and music, Condensed Knowledge is the tongue-in-cheek guide to help you breeze through any event.
Read on the Go: As young professionals, we’re glued to our phones all day for personal and professional purposes. Which is why adding ebook editions of these books makes sense. These books are eligible on the Shelfie app if you own a print copy. The print editions are available everywhere books are sold.
