The most influential books in business, according to experts

We asked leaders of the business world about the books that have influenced their professional lives.

The right book has the potential to change the way we think, the way we act and even the way we work. The influence of literature is undeniable, and there’s never a bad time to undertake a new reading venture. Comprised of recommendations from industry professionals, these are the books you should be reading if you want to get ahead in the world of business.

The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris

Paula Gardner, consultant at Paula Gardner PR recommends Timothy Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Work Week, a book that promises to teach you ‘how to escape the 9-5, live anywhere, and join the new rich.’

“He basically gets you thinking out of the box about how to conduct business in a way that challenges the norm. It's anecdotal and his approach isn't for everyone. But it inspires you to think, ‘why am I doing what everyone else does... what would work for me?’”

Paula Gardner is one of the best known PR coaches in the UK, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Ms. Gardner has authored her own literature on PR, and runs her own PR agency.

More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First by Steve Hilton

Liz Copeland, Coach, Speaker and Change Expert at www.lizcopeland.co.uk recommends More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First by Steve Hilton.

Stating that the world has become ‘too big and distant and industrialised’ Hilton’s book preaches that ‘it’s time to make the world more human’.

“It is a book that opens up the mind to create new possibilities, and an excellent ideas generator when building or refreshing a business.”

Liz Copeland is a successful transformational coach, known for developing the Empty Achiever Syndrome™ programme.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Amanda C Watts, success coach at Awaken Your Magic recommends Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, a personal development book first published during the Great Depression, and a product of over twenty years of research.

“The book is not only highly motivational and inspiring, but clearly highlights what you need to do to be successful in the world."

"What is exciting is this book was written in 1937 and what was true then is even truer today.”

Amanda C Watts is an entrepreneur, coach, speaker and author, having won awards for Business Personality of the Year and listed in the top 100 Mums in Business in the UK.

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris

Lisa Orban, psychologist and personal brand consultant at Golden Notebook recommends The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, a book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) a mindfulness-based programme for overcoming stress, anxiety and depression.

“I recommend this book to my private as well as personal branding clients. It helps them to overcome obstacles that get in the way of achieving their personal brands and clarifies their value to help them move forward.”

Lisa Orban is an experienced clinical psychologist and founder of a personal branding company. Ms Orban has appeared in publications such as the Daily Telegraph, Cosmopolitan and Grazia.

Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore 

Richard Adams, Managing Director of Wilmington Insight, which owns healthcare data and intelligence provider Binley’s, recommends Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey A. Moore. The ‘chasm’ in the books namesake refers to the distance between the early adopters of a product (technology enthusiasts and visionaries) and the early majority (the pragmatists).

“I am fascinated with the positive benefits of disruptive innovation as it relates to technology, but not everyone is. Moore’s book describes a process for technology businesses that innovate new (disruptive solutions) for their clients to ‘cross the chasm’ between visionaries and pragmatists to achieve a large enough market volume to deliver success.”

“For me it’s like a playbook – something which, if you remember it, can have a real impact on innovative solutions.”

Richard Adams is a business leader in the world of software, data and digital media businesses. With fifteen years of experience at CEO level, Mr. Adams has held senior positions at Dendrite International, Sabre Corp and Doctors.net.uk.