Five female entrepreneurs share their recommended business books - Women's Agenda

Five female entrepreneurs share their recommended business books

Anyone with ambitious goals needs to be constantly learning, something made possible (and enjoyable) through reading.

The question is, what should you read? Especially when you’re time’s seriously limited?

Recently, our friends at StartupSmart asked a panel of startup leaders about their key recommendations. We’ve listed below some of the top picks from women.

Get these on your business reading list.

InDigital founder Mikaela Jade (pictured above) 

Five by Dan Zadra 

“It’s an essential book to help you decide what’s next in your life and strategise how to get it.

“It looks small, beautiful and not at all like a business book, but don’t be fooled; it asks the big questions. It is incredibly tricky to fill out as it takes you deep on an inward journey like no other.

“The most motivating page is the ‘every day matters’ page where you run through a calculation on how many days you probably have left of your life! I do this every three years to keep on track and it’s a great wake up call for me to get motivated when I feel like giving up!”

RedBalloon founder Naomi Simson

Drive by Dan Pink

“I recommend all leadership teams read Daniel Pink’s fantastic book Drive. In his book he outlines how short term cash rewards cause long term disincentive and reduced creativity.

“It is important to ask employees what they want as a reward. You may be surprised by the answer; ‘more money’ is rarely top of the list. Loyalty is rarely about the money (this is table stakes in the HR world).

“Notice people, love them, value their contribution and make them heroes — make their dreams come true and they will be with you forever — and will also give you their valuable discretionary effort.”

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

“Malcolm Gladwell’s books The Tipping Point and Blink are essential reading to anyone interested in social connectedness.

Blink talks about ‘thinking’ and having knowledge without understanding. We have no explanation for how we make a decision, it is a ‘gut response’. It is important to consider that a customer’s decision making bias is filtered directly from their unconscious knowledge and perception of the world.”

Girl Geek Academy co-founder Sarah Moran

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

“It’s a very human business book about inner drive, wanting to be great, working your butt off for years on very little money with only the hope it will pay off, and what it feels like when you finally are ‘successful’.

“Plus it’s funny, and if you can’t laugh while running your startup, what’s the point?”

Startup Victoria chief executive Georgia Beattie

Dimensions of Wealth by Shakti Durga and Zero to One by Peter Thiel

“I believe a young entrepreneur would benefit from [segmenting] their life into two areas: personal and business.

“Understanding how to get the most out of myself has been a big growth path on its own. I recommend Dimensions of Wealth by Shakti Durga.

“For business, I recommend Zero to One by Peter Thiel.”

Muru-D co-founder and Lighthouse chief executive Annie Parker

The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk

“I’m a huge believer in the importance of purpose in your business — and this book really nails that.

“It’s all about how if you want to do well in today’s economy, purpose and clear messaging about what you stand for and what value you bring to the world and to your customers it of prime importance.

“Don’t just make money — make a difference!”

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