The love of reading is far more important in freeing the mind shaping thought, accumulating wisdom and unleashing the creative forces of a people than all the technical education in the world.
‘To read is to fly; it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries’. Writes the British Philosopher, Ac Grayling.
Udzungwa Mountains College Students Club of Entrepreneurship (UMCSCE) values and respects to the great extent the power of reading in personal development, that is why we have chosen for you a few lists of inspiring books below.
INSPIRING BOOKS
ON COMPETITION
16.
By Michael Porter
• Michael Porter has been a world renowned expert on corporate strategy for decades, and his articles are assigned to students in business schools around the world. His “five forces” model of corporate competition provides an intuitive way to analyze the attractiveness of any industry. By paying particular attention to the power of suppliers and customers, the threats of new entry and substitutes, and the level of internal rivalry in the industry, it is possible to develop strategies that create a defensible competitive position for your firm. On competition is a compilation of eleven of Porter’s Harvard Business Review Articles, two previously unpublished papers on health care and capital investment, and comprehensive introduction to his work.
Read more
PROFITABLE GROWTH IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
17.
By Ram Charan
Read more
• Profitable Growth is Everyone’s Business is a deeper look at how businesses grow and how they can stumble if they attempt to grow in the wrong way. Healthy businesses grow organically by reinvesting profits, focusing on day – to day execution, and improving the core of the business over time. All employees (at every level of the organization) need to understand how the business operates and what the company is working to achieve. By focusing on the things that make the business successful, Charan argues that companies can quickly adapt to changes in the market and pursue continual and sustainable growth for long periods of time.
WHAT THE CEO WANTS YOU TO KNOW
18.
By Ram Charan
Read more
• In What the CEO Wants You to know, Charan explains how to understand companies through the simple, fundamental concepts that are at the core of every business cash, margin, profit, return on assets, velocity, growth, valuation, customers, employees, and shareholders. Along the way, he explains how these concepts interact in both large and small companies, and how you can improve your business by understanding the basics and focusing on improving your execution of the fundamentals.
THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE
19.
By Stephen Covey
• In contrast to Getting Done, Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People takes a “top down” approach to managing your life. What do you really want for yourself? What is important to you? When you have considered questions like these, you will have a better understanding of how to identify non – productive uses of time and create opportunities to accomplish the things that are really important to you. Covey also discusses working with others productively. By learning simple principles like looking for win – win situations, seeking to fully understand the perspectives of the people with whom you are working, and identifying new ways to cooperate,
you will be better equipped to deal with the complexities of working with others.
Read more
GETTING THINGS DONE
20.
By David Allen
Read more
• Simply put, Getting Things Done is the best book on day – to – day, functional time management that has ever been written. (That is not in exaggeration.) Allen takes a “bottom up” approach to managing your life, focusing on helping you create a system of organization your mind learns to trust overtime. By capturing everything floating around in your head, honing in on the physical actions you need to do, and creating a system where your next actions are easily stored and referenced, you will be free to focus on completing the tasks at hand and will experience less stress.
NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS
21.
By Marcus Buckingham & Donald O.Clifton.
Read more
• According to Buckingham and Clifton, you are at your most effective when you are capitalizing on your strengths instead of spending time and effort trying to improve your weaknesses. Now, Discover Your Strengths is the summation of a wide body of research conducted by the Gallup. Organization on the subject of human talent. Gallup has identified 34 statistically – significant areas where people naturally tend to exhibit consistent, near flawless performance. Each copy comes with an access code for Gallup’s Strengths Finder assessment, an online tool that helps you identify and understand your own unique combination of strengths. (Be sure to get a new copy in order to get access to the assessment; used or library copies probably won’t work). In addition to explaining how we develop our individual talents,this book has a lot to say about diversity and why it is so important in business. Because everyone has a different perspective. By working with people who possess a wide variety of skills and backgrounds, our chances of success increase.
MASTER YOURSELF
22.
By George Leonard
• Mastery is not a business book – it is a book about the learning process and what you can expect from a project like the personal MBA. Leonard explains that the mastery of any skill is a life – long process involving a series of plateaus, punctuated by short spurts of visible growth. True mastery is about embracing the plateau and learning to love practice for its own sake. It is a short, inspiring read, and it is the perfect book for starting down the path of becoming a self – taught “master of business 2% now, discover your strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton. According to Buckingham and Clifton, you are at your most effective when you are capitalizing on your strengths instead of spending time and effort trying to improve your weaknesses. Now, Discover Your Strengths is the summation of a wide body of research conducted by the Gallup Organization on the subject of human talent. Gallup has identified 34 statistically – significant areas where people naturally tend to exhibit consistent, near flawless performance. Each copy comes with an access code for Gallup’s Strengths Finder assessment”, an online tool that helps you identify and understand your own unique combination of strengths. (Be sure to get a new copy in order to get access to the assessment: used or library copies probably won’t work.) In addition to explaining how we develop our own talents, this book has a lot to say about diversity and why it is so important in business. Because everyone has a different combination of strengths, we all approach the world from a slightly different perspective. By working with people who possess a wide variety of skills and background, our
Read more
chances of success increase.
GOOD TO CREAT: Why some companies Make the leap……. And others Don’t
23.
By Jim Collins
Read more
• This book is a fascinating read! A study taken over five years began with twenty – eight corporations and revealed eleven that had made the leap from Good to Great. From this study, you will an instant understanding of the role of humility in leadership. The primary ambition of great leaders is focused on the success of their company, not on themselves. Collins advocates the Hedgehog concept – a combination of discovering what you can be best in the world at (Optimal Thinking), what you are passionate about, and what drives your economic engine.
SCREW IT, LET US DO IT: Lessons in Life (Quick read)
24.
By Sir Richard Branson
• It is quick, it is easy, it is not preachy, it is positive. It is packed full of good advice and examples from Richard Branson’s own life. He calls them his “Lessons in Life” He also says, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with that first step” – and he is right. Reading this book, by the friendly genius that the media has dubbed a maverick in paradise, could be that first step to a positive and fulfilling life and perhaps a wealthy one.
AFRICA’S GREATEST ENTREPRENEURS
25.
By Moky Makura
• The book comprises of a series of profiles on some of the most successful and dynamic business people currently operating in Africa. Each chapter is dedicated to a single entrepreneur and will focus on the personality as well as the story of how they achieved their success in their particular environment or field. The narrative focuses on the personal success stories of these self – starters in the context of the economic and political climate of their respective markets. Issues discussed include; how they started in business: their defining moments; the challenges they faced and how they overcame them; their frustrations and achievements; what kept them going; what they learned in the process; things they would have done differently; their relationship with the political power structures; their opinions on leadership, on Africa’s future; their heroes and villains; and finally, the legacy they leave behind. The book is inspiring and will provide a better understanding of who the real power brokers in Africa are. It will give an unprecedented insight into unique and successful African entrepreneurs as well as first – hand experiences of the realities of how to get things done on the continent.
THE BUSINESS WISDOM OF STEVE JOBS; 250 Quotes from the Innovator who changed the world
26.
By Alan Ken Thomas
Read more
• Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc, was truly one of this generation’s most innovative and forward – thinking entrepreneurs. Apple, under his vision and direction, changed the way people interact with each other and think about technology. Known as much for his genius as his privacy, the advice and knowledge he did share with the world gives exclusive insight into the mind of this great leader and innovator. Words of Wisdom “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.” – Steve Jobs.
THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES: How to Get from where you Are to Where you want to be
27.
BYJackCanfield&Janet Switzer
Read more
• The Success Principles is practical and inspiring guide that will help any aspiring person get from where they are to where they want to be. The book will essentially teach you how to increase your confidence, tackle daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize all your ambitions. Not merely a collection of good ideas, this book spells out the 64 timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history. Filled with memorable and inspiring stories of CEOs, world – class athletes, celebrities, and everyday people, the book will give you the proven blueprint you need to achieve any goal you desire.
EMPOWERMENT: A way of life
28.
By John Tschohl
• Focuses on one simple, yet powerful, principle; Empowered employees will give excellent customer service – turning unhappy customers into happy, repeat customers. Moreover, happy, empowered, fulfilled employees are less likely to leave the company – reducing turnover. Solving a customer’s problem quickly benefits everyone, and that is why the key to a company’s success lies in empowered employees. “Empowerment is Not about breaking the rules, but bending them to keep the customers happy. It is making fast decisions on the spot in favor of customers. Employees need to be able to bend rules so the customer always wins.”
Read more
(BUSINESS@THE SPEED OF THOUGHT) Using a Digital Nervous System
29.
By Bill Gates
Read more
• Bill Gates played a prominent role in launching the information Age. His book discusses how business and technology are integrated, and shows how digital infrastructures and information networks can help getting an edge on the competition. Gates asserts cyberspace and industry can no longer be separate entities, and that businesses must change to succeed in the Information Age. Though the book is not a technology handbook it gives interesting insights as how to integrate business process with technology. It gives one an understanding of how advances in networking and information technology can make a difference in day to day business.
EAT THAT FROG
30.
By Brian Tracy
Read more
• There is an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is probably the worst thing you will do all day. Using “eat that frog” as a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of your day – the one you are most likely to procrastinate on, but also probably the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life – eat that frog! Shows you how to zero in on these critical tasks and organize your day. “People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine” – Brian Tracy.
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW MAY BE KILLING YOU!
31.
By Don Colbert, M. D
Read more
• You already know that proper diet, exercise, controlling your environment and rest can keep you in good health. But you are still not sure you are doing enough. The truth today is that what you don’t know may be killing you! Dr. Don Colbert faced personal health struggles, and when his own profession was unable to give him answers or help, he turned to more natural health – related disciplines. The answers he found surprised him then, and this new, updated information may surprise you today.
THE END OF POVERTY: HOW WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN IN OUR LIFE TIME
32.
By Jeffrey Sachs
Foreword by Bono
• The End of Poverty (our generation has the opportunity to end poverty! But how?
Jeffrey Sachs has the answers after having travelled and worked in over 100 countries across the globe advising leaders on economic development and poverty reduction. In this book he lays out how poverty had been extinguished in the past and how we can make a difference for the 1/5th of humanity who lives in extreme poverty. The end of poverty is a road map to a more
Read more
prosperous and secure world.
THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE
33.
By Richard Koch
Read more
• A book by Richard Koch, the secret to achieving more with less. Thousands of people discovered how the 80/20 principle can help. Finding the shortcut in any situation. Making the most of the lucky streaks. Calm down, work less, identify goals. Focus on things that excel and enjoy. In lively accessible detail, Koch explains how anyone can accomplish much more with much less effort, time and resources by focusing on what really counts.
THE 5 LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP
34.
By John C. Maxwell
• Proven steps brought to us by John C. Maxwell on how to maximize your potential.
• 1. Position
• 2. Permission
• 3. Production
• 4. People
• 5. Pinnacle
Through humor in depth insight and examples, internationally recognized leadership expert, John C. Maxwell describes each of the stages of leadership. He shows you how to master each level and rise up to the next to become a more influential, respected and successful leader.
Read more
GOALS!
35.
How to Get Everything You Want – Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
By Brian Tracy
• Based on more than 20 years of experience and 40 years of research, this book presents a completely updated and practical, proven strategy for creating and meeting goals that has been used by more than 1 million people already in its first edition. Author Brian Tracy again explores the seven key elements of goal setting and the 12 steps necessary to set and accomplish goals of any size. Using his trade mark simple language and real – life examples, Tracy shows how to do the crucial work of determining one’s strengths, values, and true goals. He explains every problem or obstacle; how to overcome difficulties; how to respond to challenges; and how to continue moving forward no matter what happens. The book’s revised and updated “Mental Fitness” program of character development shows readers how to become the kind of person on the inside who can achieve any goals on the outside.
DRIVE
36.
The Surprising Truth About What Motivated Us
By Daniel H. Pink
• You need to forget everything you thought you knew about how to motivate yourself at work, at school, or at home. It is wrong. As Daniel H. Pink explains in his paradigm – shattering book DRIVE, the secret to high performance and satisfaction in today’s world is the deeply human need to direct your own life, to learn and create new things, and to do better by yourself and your world. In Drive, he reveals the three elements of the true motivation; autonomy – the desire to direct your own life, mastery – the urge to get better and better at something that matters and purpose the yearning to do what you do in the services of something larger than yourself. Drive is bursting with big ideas – the – the rare book that will change how you think and transform how you live.
THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI
37.
By Robin Sharma
• A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dream and Reaching Your Destiny. This inspiring tale provides a step – by – step approach to living with greater courage, balance, abundance, and joy. A wonder fully crafted fable by Robin S. Sharma tells the extraordinary story of Julian Mantle, a lawyer forced to confront the spiritual crisis of his out – of – balance life. On a life – changing odyssey to an ancient culture, he discovers powerful, wise, and practical lessons that teaches you to develop joyful thoughts, follow your life’s mission and calling, cultivate self – discipline and act courageously, value time as your most important commodity, nourish your relationships, and live fully, one day at a time. It is a wisdom book to create a life of passion, purpose, and peace.
SAY YES TO YOUR POTENTIAL
38.
By SKIP ROSS with Carole C.Carlson
• Is best motivational book for any person who has very low – self – image or a person who wants to be successful in his or her life. The book teaches one how to tap the 90 percent might have been potential, and turns it into exciting and dynamic quality of life. Furthermore, the book offers practical advice, gleaned from real experiences. Skip Ross has clearly taken the attention of the reader from one chapter to another, the way of success testimonies that will uplift and enlighten you. He speaks directly to the hearts and concerns of people from every walk of life. This book will encourage and inspire you to reach your full, unique and God given potential.
BECOME A BETTER YOU
39.
By Joel Osteen
• Become a Better You by Joel Osteen offers seven simple yet profound action steps that will help you discover the better things born for your individual purpose and destiny. As charming and passionate on the page as he is in person, Osteen incorporates key biblical principles, devotions, and personal testimonies that will uplift and enlighten you. He speaks directly to the hearts and concerns of people from every walk of life. This book will encourage and inspire you to reach your full, unique and God given potential.
THE INSTANT MILLIONAIRE; A tale of wisdom and wealth
40.
By Mark Fisher
• Do those who succeed work harder than those who only dream about success? Are they smarter, luckier or more ruthless? And does financial success bring happiness? The instant Millionaire answers these questions and more through practical, ready – to implement lessons.
Read more
OUTLIERS; THE STORY OF SUCCESS
41.
By Malcolm Gladwell
Read more
• Malcolm Gladwell talks about some of the world’s most successful, influential, and famous outliers. What makes high – achievers so different from the rest of us? As subjective individuals we tend to judge a person after their appearance, which is why we seldom bother to look beyond a cover – up. “Outliers” is an excellent book that tries to make us want more from life. It is both entertaining and brilliant structured to fit all types of readers!
