Building a successful, thriving business isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would do it. According to data presented by the Harvard Business School:
- 25 percent of startups will fail within the first year.
- Of those remaining, 36 percent will fail within the second year.
- Of those remaining, 44 percent will fail within the third year.
It is tough being an entrepreneur. But, it is tougher learning to be a successful one. While everyone in the organization work on their specific skill sets, the task of the entrepreneur is to steer the ship. The process of learning, failing, re learning and succeeding is the lifeblood of every successful start-up, be it a newbie venture in booming industries like food and data or a well stabilized organization in Information Technology.
For an entrepreneur, reading and learning assumes critical importance. The better way to save some time from failures is to learn from others and their insights; books are treasure troves of knowledge and wisdom accumulated over centuries. Agreed that their schedule is tight and building a business is no easy task, but entrepreneurs with a habit of reading and a willingness to learn, are able to connect the dots much better than those who work in isolation. Here are 10 must read books on startups and entrepreneurship that might inspire the CEO in you!
1. Go Kiss the World
Author – Subroto Bagchi, co-founder of Mindtree
Citing experiences and anecdotes from his personal life and the entrepreneurial journey, author Subroto Bagchi beautifully describes the various influences and decisions of his life in the book. Infact, ‘Go, Kiss The World’, were his mother’s last words that have left an indelible impact on the author. The book also has detailed descriptions on Bagchi’s childhood, early life and career that also include co-founding MindTree, one of India’s well known software services companies. The last chapter impressively sums up his learnings on this journey and inspires the reader to imbibe those rewarding qualities.
2. How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded A Million Dollar Company
Author – Varun Agarwal, co-founder of Alma Mater
Based on a true story, the book is about a young man who after serious deliberations and discussions finally decides to start up with his school friend. How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded A Million Dollar Company is a funny account of author Varun Agarwal’s struggles while deciding to put on the entrepreneurial hat. The two friends set on a journey to customize clothing and accessories for the alumni of schools and colleges across India. The light hearted book’s protagonist is Anu Aunty, Varun’s mom’s best friend who persistently trivializes Varun’s efforts. The book is an interesting read on the making of a startup.
3. MBA at 16: A Teenager’s Guide to Business
Author – Subroto Bagchi, co-founder of Mindtree
Another interesting read by Subroto Bagchi, in this book he gives business advice and talks about the next generation who are all set to become budding entrepreneurs. The author states the how, what and why of this industry and the book can be termed as a guide to the business world. Young minds are full of questions that need an answer in the most detailed way, and here it is. A delightful read for everyone, MBA At 16 is about interesting stories and the faith in youngsters that Subroto Bagchi assures very well with this book.
4. Start-up Sutra: What the Angels Won’t Tell You About Business and Life
Author – Rohit Prasad, professor at Management Development Institute, Gurgaon
Startups stir-up curiosity like no other and everyone is equally inquisitive to know the A to Z of these businesses. Start-up Sutra is a book by Rohit Prasad that, as the title suggests, elaborates on the intricacies of starting a business and how it takes over your life in good and bad ways. The book cites first-hand experiences of entrepreneurs and states the pros and cons of the business world that one would definitely want to read. All in all, a book complete with stories that will keep you hooked onto it while arousing curiosity about the business world at the same time.
5. Take Me Home
Author- Rashmi Bansal, co-founder of Jam Magazine
The charm about small towns in India is their ability to dream big and their capability to go to any length to achieve it. Rashmi Bansal has managed to capture these stories in the most enchanting and inspiring ways that motivate go after our dreams. Ideas from across India have turned into global companies that are making it big, and those are the enthralling journeys one finds in this book. This is a good dose of all the encouragement one needs to become a young entrepreneur in this country.
6. The Golden Tap: The Inside Story of Hyper Funded Indian Startups
Author- Kashyap Deorah, co-founder of Chalo, Chaupaati Bazaar and Righthalf.com
One of the most highly recommended books for existing and budding entrepreneurs, The Golden Tap is a book by Kashyap Deorah who has given a detailed analysis of the past 20 years of the startup boom in India. The beginning, the fall and the rise of businesses that come under this category is the highlight of this book that has been reviewed as one of the most exciting reads. An entrepreneur himself, Kashyap Deorah has covered all the questions and systems that are intriguing in this arena and has left no stone unturned in making this book a captivating read.
7. Young Turks
Authors – Shereen Bhan, managing editor at CNBC-TV18 and Syna Denuhgara, features editor at CNBC-TV18
Shereen Bhan brought us the show, Young Turks, every Sunday where she interviewed entrepreneurs and this book by the same name, co-authored with Syna Dehnugara, takes on a journey of highly inspiring stories of tech startups that have changed the business scenario with simple ideas. The anecdotes shared in the book are captivating and a delight to read. It has everything from the basics of where these businesses started to where they are now. To put it simply, the book is motivating and the stories of young entrepreneurs is influencing in all the right ways.
8. Bhaag! Inspiring Stories of Student Entrepreneurs in India
Author – Ganesh V, entrepreneur and marketing consultant
Ganesh V, the author of this book, has jotted down a quick read that is interesting from all perspectives. The young generation is all about taking risks and giving their business idea a shot, and this has been brought out in an apt manner by the author through his insightful perspectives. Ganesh V has been an entrepreneur himself and that is showcased well in the take-aways from this book, which brings us to the realisation of no idea is too small. An idea can work for the best when implemented with all the right steps and most importantly, by taking a big leap of faith.
9. Dream With Your Eyes Open: An Entrepreneurial Journey
Author- Ronnie Screwvala, founder of UTV Group
Ronnie Screwvala narrates his entrepreneurial journey through the years with all the ups and downs that he has dealt with. It’s a hopeful book for budding young business men and women about what the country holds for them in the future. The author has humbly penned down the trials and tribulations that he faced in establishing new businesses and how he came out successfully or unsuccessfully to the other end. The book has some great lessons to be learnt when it comes to startups and the stories are entertaining in their own ways. The title of the book manages to stir-up curiosity and the book lives up to that name.
10. Connect the Dots
Author- Rashmi Bansal, co-founder of Jam Magazine
Connect the Dots is another book by author Rashmi Bansal and the stories are absolutely exhilarating to read. The book is about entrepreneurs who have made it big in the business world without any management degree. An influential book that takes us on an expedition with small episodes which help realise that one doesn’t need a business degree to execute an idea that can change the world. If you have a concept, thoughts and a plan to back it up then no dream is too far to be turned into a reality. Just connect the dots and the picture will pop right up in front of your eyes.
These books should be on your reading list and shall definitely encourage you to take the big leap. Do share your favourite authors and books that can be added to this list.
Image credit: www.lifehack.org
