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The Top 3 Books to Read to Help You Grow Your Business

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If I may, I’d like to start with one of my favorite quotes, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” This famous line is from The Shawshank Redemption. This is the mantra that helps Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) escape from prison.


Most business owners have created their very own prison. It sounds crazy but it is true. Some of them know it, but most don’t. It was never their intention to create their own prison. At first, their entrepreneurial spirit drove them to launch their own business, in hopes to do things their own way, with no bosses, and no arbitrary rules. However, at the end of the day, all they have created is a job where they take all the risks, and do all of the work. They may have a few employees, but they function merely as assistants. The owner has essentially turned their business into a professional employment company, taking all the revenue generated each month, and distributing it to as many assistants (employees) as possible, leaving no profit to grow the business.


If the above statements are hitting a little too close to home, then check out these three books that will help you grow your business now, and help you break out of small business prison!



1. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber


Author Michael E. Gerber breaks down how to get yourself out of the entrepreneurial trap that most business owners create for themselves. It’s an eye-opening text that will help you grow your business. In the book, Gerber discusses the three business owner personalities: The Entrepreneur, Manager, and Technician. Most small business owners fit the Technician personality. The technician is usually someone who learned a specific skill at a large company, and has now decided to go out on their own doing the same specific skill. They focus on the work, and make sure everything is completed and delivered according to their high standards. Every moment of the day is dedicated to completing the work (making, selling, and delivering). This all sounds great, but it’s impossible to scale, leaving no room to increase profits. Eventually the Technician burns out in glorious fashion leaving customers to fend for themselves. Warranties left out to dry, pools never built, and roofs paid for and never installed. E-Myth explains how the small business owner can shift from a Technician to an Entrepreneur. You can learn more about it’s concepts at https://www.emyth.com/.



2. Traction by Gino Wickman


Another resource I recommend is Gino Wickmans’ Traction. This book will help you develop your organization into a finely tuned machine that can scale. Traction describes a blueprint for organizing your employees into specific job functions, with specific measurables, that hold everyone accountable. Delegating tasks and authority is the key to beginning to take control of your business. Imagine if you could work on your business, instead of in your business? Once you get all of Gino’s concepts rolling, you will actually gain traction in your business, hence the name. You can learn more about Traction here at https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book.





3. The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes


If you like practical books with clear direction, you are going to love The Ultimate Sales Machine! The Ultimate Sales Machine gives you the roadmap for increasing revenue quickly and methodically. Chet shares his six steps to great time management, including making a daily list with the six most important tasks to complete. He also dives into implementing new policies and how to pitch to potential customers well. My favorite topic in the book is the buying pyramid, which brings understanding to when consumers buy. Learn more about Chet Holmes here at https://chetholmes.com/.


All of these books have helped me and my colleagues grow everything from a side hustle to multimillion dollar, multi-location operations.


How to Read These Books

First, read these books with a highlighter AND a pen. Highlight the meat and potatoes of the text that you will need to go back and reference. Then use your pen to underline any text that is a mind-blowing truth nugget that freaks you out! These underlined sentences will upgrade your mindset. I find that after I have highlighted and underlined a book, I can leave it on my desk for quick reference at all times while I am working. You should do the same! They say smart people always have a book near them. Next, I recommend reading the physical books first, then listening to them on audio as well. It’s also good to review these books 2-4 times a year to keep the concepts fresh in your mind.


If you would like any more recommendations on learning resources for business, sales, and marketing, send us a message! If you read even just one of these books, you will change your mindset to a growth mindset, and your business will follow!


David Williamson

President - Williamson Agency


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