Last week we explored different blogs for small businesses, and today we will explore 5 books for leadership and small businesses.  This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it we wanted to give you a good place to start.

Stronger: Develop Resilience You Need to Succeed

By George S. Everly Jr. and Drouglas A. Strouse

This book explores why some people can rise above adversity and excel under pressure while others can’t handle it.  Both authors interviewed over 1,000 resilient business leaders and have identified the traits that truly define the most resilient people.  The book also gives you advice on how to develop the same attribute at any age.

Leading Across New Borders: How to Succeed as the Center Shifts

By Ernest Gundling and Christi Caldwell

With the digital age running full steam, this ideal is no longer only for large businesses.  A virtual entrepreneur must understand the importance of what it means to manage and grow a global business.  The book gives examples of other leaders who have had success in globally growing their businesses and cultivating talent.

The Innovator’s Dilemma

By Clayton M. Christensen

Another bestseller, Christensen explains the path to “disruptive innovation.”  This basically means that a business should put the focus on adopting new methods and technologies that will meet the needs of customers in the future and not just the customer right now.  The basic principle that early adopters and innovators get ahead and all others fall behind is the underlying message throughout the book.  There are samples of how companies have succeeded in this area and others have failed.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t

By Jim Collins

Business leaders often have to ask the question “what does it take to make a great company?”  Collins explores a systematic piece that allows a company to reach “greatness.”  The main factor for achieving the transition comes down to a narrow focus of a company’s resources in a field of competence.  Collins also gives you 7 characteristics of companies that went from “good to great,” along with a list of great companies and those who failed to make that transition.  This common sense practices in this book shows that sometimes simple and basic can take a business to the next level.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

By Stephen Covey

This top-seller has been around for over 15 years and continues to hold true.  The book focuses on the proven principles of integrity, honesty, fairness and human dignity.  It represents the best in self-help.  Covey gives advice about prioritization, empathy, self-renewal and many more topics.  This book is both relevant to both personal and professional development.

These books will give you a start to business leadership and success.  The important thing is to make sure that you surround yourself with great business partners - whomever they may be.  Apex Payment Solutions prides ourselves on being part of our clients team by providing advice not only on card processing but on business practices that are successful.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can save you money and help you grow your business.