Sometimes, you just don't have time to sit down and read as a busy entrepreneur, which makes listening to audio books a great option.
As a business owner, you already know how important reading can be. New ideas and new techniques are being made available all the time and you have to keep up; otherwise, you risk losing ground to your competitors.
With that said, finding time to read as a busy startup entrepreneur can seem nearly impossible. With audiobooks, you can get all the advantages of reading while you’re spending time commuting, working out, or handling your other daily activities.
Here are 14 of the best audiobooks for busy entrepreneurs to get you started:
Business Adventures
When a book is Bill Gates’ favorite business book, it’s probably worth picking up. This classic collection of defining moments provides entrepreneurs with priceless lessons in all areas of business, from a product’s inception to tax loopholes and more.
The Startup of You
Written by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, this book explores Hoffman’s career and experience, alongside the success stories of others, to discuss the mindset that’s required in today’s competitive, ever-evolving business world. One great takeaway from this audiobook is Hoffman’s encouragement to everyone to always be a work in progress and look at each day as a new opportunity.
$100 Startup
If you need bootstrapping inspiration, this book has it in spades. Chris Guillebeau’s $100 Startup provides fascinating stories of businesses that were started with very little money, along with concrete tips on how you can do the same.
The Lean Startup
Today’s businesses cannot survive using yesterday’s strategies, and Eric Ries is here to show you a new way. Focusing on continuous innovation and testing, Ries’ audiobook shows how new approaches can lead to radical success.
Pitch Anything
As an entrepreneur, the abilities to pitch and persuade can mean the difference between business success and failure. Oren Klaff, author of Pitch Anything, has raised over $400 million dollars with his pitches. In this audiobook, he dives deep into his methods and shows entrepreneurs what it takes to be successful.
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell’s famous book shows that mastery is earned - not born. Of particular interest is his discovery that high-achievers are only different because they put in the time and effort to practice their craft. If you want to be an outlier yourself, you can achieve it using the suggestions made in Gladwell’s audiobook.
Rework
With a focus on rethinking how we work, the authors of Rework throw a wrench in the traditional ideas of business and entrepreneurship. This quick read will point out new ways business is being done in an information economy - important considerations all startup entrepreneurs must take into account.
Virtual Freedom
Chris Drucker uses this audiobook to tell you about the value of virtual assistants and outsourcing work. If you’re tired of trying to wear all the hats in your business, queue up this audiobook next in your playlist.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
This absolute classic is as relevant today as it was in 1937. While the specific situations we encounter may change, human beings haven’t. This is a great audiobook for all entrepreneurs to listen to as they look to influence people and expand their team.
The Power of Habit
Anyone who’s tried to change their actions through willpower alone (and likely failed) will appreciate this audiobook. In it, Charles Duhigg showcases the power of transforming habits, in addition to providing the techniques needed to help change yours today.
Predictably Irrational
Any entrepreneur who expects their customers, or team members, to behave entirely rationally is going to be sorely disappointed. In this audiobook, Dan Ariely talks about the irrational, but predictable, forces that drive human behavior. Learn them, and you can harness them in your business and life to achieve your goals.
Related Article: Who is the Next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs?
Good to Great
Why do some companies become great while others remain mediocre or fail? Jim Collins explores the stories of companies that have become great to find the answers in this classic audiobook. From leadership style to culture, Collins’s book will give you critical insight into what’s needed to build your own great empire.
How to Win at the Sport of Business
Mark Cuban has an amazing rags-to-riches story that’s sure to inspire and educate any budding-entrepreneur. From selling powdered milk to becoming a multi-billion dollar success, Cuban tells his story and shares his insights into business and life in this fascinating audiobook.
Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises
Managing a business is hard enough, but when crisis hits, its do-or-die for every business owner. Warren Buffett lists this book as a must-read for entrepreneurs so that they can be prepared to lead their business through whatever comes their way.
Reading the right books can make all the difference in your attitude, approach, and understanding of business. But if, like many busy entrepreneurs, you don’t have time to read, you can almost certainly find time to listen. These audiobooks all represent great potential additions to your listening library.