We read a lot of books here at FMG Suite, and we always enjoy sharing our recommendations with fellow professionals. In honor of National Book Month in January, we’ve compiled some of our favorites. Whether you’re looking to jumpstart your marketing efforts in 2016, acquire a few more clients, or just learn something new, we hope these books will help you get there!
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
By Peter Drucker
We wanted to start the list with this pick because it is an all-around great book for any professional. The author lays out five practices that you can implement in your business, with the hope that they help you become more efficient in different areas of your practice. The book provides detail and substance to these five habits of executive effectiveness. How will you implement these five strategies at your financial practice?
The Sustainable Edge
By Ron Carson
We are big fans of Ron Carson and we are excited for his newest book release, The Sustainable Edge. While not available until January 19, we highly recommend this to any advisor seeking a fuller, more rewarding work-life balance. Carson not only shares thoughtful reflections and practical guidance on maintaining a work-life balance, but he also provides simple exercises to get you started on the right path.
Think and Grow Rich
By Napoleon Hill
Chances are, you have either read this classic or recognize the name. Originally published in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression, this book has become the go-to source for motivational thinking for professionals. Although the title suggests monetary gain, the principles discussed can help people succeed in all aspects of their lives. There’s a reason that this book has stayed so relevant for over 70 years!
Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
By Ed Catmull
Ed Catmull is one of the founders of Pixar Animation Studios and has learned how to integrate creativity into everything that he does. This creative approach has led to immense success, not only regarding movies such as Inside Out and Toy Story but also in other aspects of business. This pick was a New York Times Bestseller, as well as named one of the best books of 2014 by The Huffington Post. Take a break from number crunching and learn how creativity can lead to success.
The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing
By Benjamin Graham
Another decades-old classic, The Intelligent Investor was originally published in 1949 and continues to offer insight into the investing climate of today. The greatest investment advisor of the twentieth century, Benjamin Graham, taught and inspired people worldwide. Graham’s philosophy of value investing, which shields investors from substantial error and teaches them to develop long-term strategies, has made The Intelligent Investor the “stock market bible”.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
By Daniel Pink
We’ve become accustomed to the “carrot-and-stick” approach to motivation — people will get their work done best when an incentive is provided. Instead, Daniel Pink suggests that there are aspects of human nature that increase performance and satisfaction at school, work, or home. We used content from this New York Times Bestseller at one of our staff meetings because the messages conveyed are timely and offer a fresh perspective on traditional business models.
Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street
By John Brooks
This book has come recommended not only by our staff, but also by über-successful professionals such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffett. It is a collection of short stories about the world of Wall Street, which cumulatively teach business lessons that apply to professionals. If you’re looking to learn more about the financial industry in a fun, exploratory way this book may be right up your alley.
Ready to Be a Thought Leader: How to Increase Your Influence, Impact, and Success
By Denise Brosseau
We talk a lot about the importance of being a thought leader, but you may be wondering how to get there or the benefits that come as a result of sharing great ideas. We added this book because we hope that it will get you thinking about being a thought leader yourself and taking the first step. Within their fields, thought leaders are sources of inspiration and innovation. Brosseau shows readers how to develop content and ideas that lead to thought leadership and the benefits that will come as a result.
Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses
By Joe Pulizzi
It wouldn’t be a complete FMG Suite list without at least one book on the art of content marketing, which is why we included this pick about how content marketing can change the way you think about how you do business. We often use the metaphor of being a magnet instead of a megaphone, and Pulizzi shows readers what this looks like regarding creating content and sharing it online. He lays out a simple six step process of how to build a business around content that is easy to follow and explains the new world of content marketing.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
By Daniel Kahneman
This is an immensely interesting book on how the two sides of our minds interact and how you can utilize both to grow, both mentally and professionally. As a financial services provider, you are probably used to using the logical, analytical side of your brain more often. But how can your right brain, the more creative side, change the way you think? Daniel Kahneman is a renowned psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, and in his book, he takes readers on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think.
As a bonus pick, make sure you check out our own book, The Art of Inbound Marketing, a how-to guide for financial advisors.
We hope that these books will educate, enlighten, and entertain you. We are always learning new things every day about content marketing, entrepreneurship and different business models and love to share this knowledge with our clients. Let us know if you pick one of these books up and what you thought, or if you think we forgot any on our list!
