7 Books for Your 2018 Summer Reading List

Summer can be a great time to catch up on reading. We also know small business owners may have a hard time completely stepping away from a business. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of books that are both business-friendly and fun enough for you to enjoy poolside. Check out these 7 books for your 2018 summer reading list.

1. The Culture Code

Culture can make or break a company’s success. Author Daniel Coyle looks inside successful organizations, including the US Navy SEAL Team Six and the San Antonio Spurs, and figures out what makes them work.

Whether you’re leading a team of two or 200, The Culture Code can teach you how to create an environment where problems get solved and expectations are exceeded. Add this book to your 2018 summer reading list and learn how to help individuals become a team.

2. Capturing Loyalty: How to Measure, Generate, and Profit from Highly Satisfied Customer

Attracting a new customer can cost five times more than keeping an existing one. Depending on your industry, some studies have shown it can be as much as 25 times more expensive. You get the picture; loyal customers can make a huge impact on your bottom line.

Capturing Loyalty looks at several types of businesses and provides research-based insights into consumer behavior. Customer loyalty is especially relevant to small business owners.  This book explains how to improve profitability by focusing on turning a business’s already-satisfied customers into highly-satisfied customers.

3. Carpe Diem: Seizing the Day in a Distracted World

With tiny computers at our fingertips at all times, we never go more than a few minutes without being distracted. Due to all of this constant stimulation, it can be difficult to focus and we worry our time isn’t well spent.

Wanting to lead a meaningful life is a daunting challenge, but author Roman Krznaric wants everyone to achieve it. Carpe Diem offers history, philosophy, inspiring takeaways, and also reveals insights from the lives of great seize-the-day practitioners.

4. My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired

This 2018 summer reading list pick is a great balance of business and pleasure. Human behavior is fascinating, and we can’t seem to get enough of learning about other humans’ routines. My Morning Routine looks at how successful people start their days.

See what habits make up the routines of people like Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and General Stanley McChrystal. Whether you want to increase your productivity, start meditating, or just improve your relationship with the morning, this book has you covered.

5. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Running a small business is challenging. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful. Author and MacArthur “genius” grant winner Angela Duckworth argues success won’t happen without grit.

If you’re feeling frustrated with your progress, or perhaps know a colleague who you think may need some encouragement, grab a copy of Grit. It’s a great reminder of what we can all accomplish with passion and perseverance.

6. Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

Have you been asking yourself some big questions lately? Perhaps you’re unsure if you’re in the right career, or how your existing strengths can better serve your passions.

In Pivot, author Jenny Blake lays out her “Pivot Method,” giving readers the tools to ask and answer these big questions. If you’re a small business owner, use this book to start conversations with your team to discover where they can pivot within their roles.

7. Top of Mind: Use Content to Unleash Your Influence and Engage Those Who Matter To You

We would be remiss to leave this off any summer reading list. Top of Mind explains how content keeps your name and business front and center in the minds of clients and decision makers.

Put this book on your 2018 summer reading list to dig into content marketing. Most of all, learn about the true power of great content.

Want to relax all year long?

Whether it’s having extra time to read a book or unplug for a few days, we all deserve a break. Yet being a small business owner often means you need to be available. If you’re looking for ways to free up your schedule, consider marketing automation.

OutboundEngine’s marketing automation feature gives you the peace of mind to know your marketing is on schedule and on target. This includes writing and posting on social media, designing and sending email newsletters, and tracking and identifying leads from your network. Set up a free demo and see how OutboundEngine helps you worry less and focus more on running your business.