Favorite Books on Productivity and Business Growth

There are 1000s of books that you could read to grow your business, but how do you know which ones are good for where you are in the life cycle of your business?

I asked my expert panel:

To be productive means to be in a position where you have the quality or power of producing especially in abundance. It is about getting things done and growing your business.

What book has positively impacted your ability to be productive in your business? Please share title and author.

What is your favorite learning point from the book you mentioned?

Today, I'll share 13 ideas and I'd love for you to add yours to the list in the comments!

	1. Trust Is Contagious The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey, discusses why trust is important to business and family alike. My favorite learning point is pretty basic, though it's application is quite powerful for all businesses and the building of relationships: "Trust is necessary and productive for all business activity." Trusting others helps them to trust you. Trust is usually a win-win for all involved. Trust me. ;-) Thanks to Lindsay Brown of Lindsay Brown Communications
	2. Email Equals Effectiveness The Hamster Revolution by Mike Song and Tim Burress. I learned that for every 5 emails you send you get 3 back and you need to make them good ones. In creating effective emails, I am able to be more productive on my end, but more importantly started receiving effective emails in return. No more reading the 'wall of words' and trying to determine what I need to accomplish! Thanks to Stacey Anderson of Organized Innovations, LLC
	3. No Excuses! No Excuses, Brian Tracy (The power of self-discipline) Self-discipline is doing what you need to do whether you want to or not. The book covers concepts that you have probably read before - it's simple though and well put together which encourages immediate implementation. Greatest learning: Do something every day towards reaching your goal. Guard against complacency and invest 3% of your income into your continued education. The book has spurred a 150 day goal challenge with my team. Thanks to Tracey Foulkes of Get Organised (South Africa + Ireland)
	4. Get More Done With Getting Things Done David Allen's book Getting Things Done shares a workflow system that captures ideas and tasks and puts these in a spot where you can act on them. Most especially I subscribe to the idea of writing things down and tasks happen! With a clear mind, you can act in the moment and be more productive. Getting Things Done is a simple effective method. Thanks to Ellen Delap of Professional-Organizer.com
	5. Cut Out The Fat: The Lean Business Approach Eric Ries: The Lean Startup Key Learning: You do not have a business if you do not have product/market fit and you do not have product/market fit if you do not know what your client's pain point is and how you solve it. Thanks to Claire Burge of Get Organised Ireland
	6. Empowering Yourself, Empowers Your Business! If you're worn out trying to do it all, do yourself a huge favor and read Debbie Ford's best seller, The Dark Side of The Light Chasers. It offers the reader many exercises designed to have us come to terms with all that we are. If we are constantly fighting ourselves internally, we can't possibly manifest the possibilities that are awaiting us...personally or professionally. My favorite part? I was able to own every single emotion which has changed my business forever. It's very empowering! Thanks to Karen Fanjoy of Master Your Mental Game
	7. Work The System! Sam Carpenter's 2009 book WORK THE SYSTEM. (some & sometimes all available in pdf at www.WorkTheSystem.com). In 1984 Sam bought a telephone answering service. By 1999 he'd built it to 16 employees, was working 100 hours a week, single dad, and looking at no paycheck for employees...when he had the revelation that 99% of life is based on SYSTEMS! Since then, using systems, he's turned it into a $3M+ business & works 2-4 hours a week! Haven't successfully done it yet--but trying to learn how! Thanks to Ken Stewart of Easley Electric Inc
	8. Ask Me First! My favorite book for impact regarding productivity in my business is Permission Marketing by Seth Godin. In the world of in your face everything, Seth suggests that one pauses, and ask first for interest - a novel thought really! Checking interest first immediately shifts the clients listening. For me, in sales I prefer a receptive vs a polite are you done yet ear!! This technique has served me tremendously well! Thanks to Karen Hanrahan of Best Of Mother Earth
	9. Win Friends, Influence People A lot of people feel success is simply lots of money, and I have found that not to be true. Success, to me, is to be surrounded by people who like you and you them. And that through them you can build a business that brings you financial freedom. So, success is happiness (genuine friends) and freedom (financial independence). The book that taught me these principles and this approach is my favorite book of all time: How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It is a MUST read. Thanks to Mike Michalowicz of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
	10. The Dip by Seth Godin Is A Great Biz Book The Dip by Seth Godin - We all get stuck but is it temporary - a sign of greater things to come - or is does it indicate that it's time to "leave the card game" and try something new? Thanks to Margit Crane of Gifted With ADD
	11. Think & Grow Rich! Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is a timeless classic for a reason! The key point is START NOW! Don't wait until you have all the resources, begin to make your dreams come true NOW and the rest will follow. Thanks to Jeff Mann of about.me/jeffreyjohnmann
	12. Michael Gerber Is The Best Gerber Baby You'll Ever See! An oldie but a goodie, big time: 'The E-Myth Revisited' was written before 'e' referred to 'email' and instead was meant for the entrepreneur. In this book I had the huge 'aha' that's guided me ever since: While I may have tendencies toward being a technician and manager as every biz owner does, the best place for me to guide the growth and future of my business is as the CEO - thinking, planning, dreaming and envisioning is the best job I've ever had and now I know why! Thanks to Andrea Feinberg of Coaching Insight LLC
	13. Becoming An "Entreleader" Dave Ramsey's new book, Entreleadership will help you keep it smart as you plan or grow your business. No metaphysical mumbo jumbo is included, just practical "why didn't I think of that" advice that will have you saying, "I am going to read this again." If you are reeling over mistakes (read money here) you have made in business, or if you are straining at the bit at your starting gate, this will help you put things in perspective. A definite must-read! Thanks to Shelley Molitor of Established Ways