What book(s) has/have inspired or influenced you?

List one or list all..

For me it is:

1) Success through a Positive Mental Attitude

It was my first business or self help book that I ever read. I read it once a year from age 14 to 25.

2) How to Win Friends and Influence People

Helped me get out of my abrasive personality and learn how to comunicate better in my college days.

3) From Good to Great

Made a big difference on how I ran my companies.

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Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie Nichols on June 18, 2008 at 2:37pm: I love Russell Simmon's book, "Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success." I'm not into Hip Hop at all, but I thought his philosophy about business, especially about giving back and not asking "what's in it for me" all the time was an amazingly powerful and positive message. It was so good that I'm thinking of re-reading it - can't say that about many books!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Business Leader Media on June 18, 2008 at 2:44pm: I just finished reading The All-Star Sales Book, By Billy Cox. If you are a sports fan, or an ex-athlete who is now in the sales position, you will relate to his great analogies to give you a winning attitude! Just the way the Coach of the Team always said.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stick Me Designs:Rickina on June 18, 2008 at 2:58pm: When I can find the time to read about a sentence or two a day (hey I've got two boys under 3, and I running my business from home I'm a super multi-tasking gal :-) )

I've enjoyed two books in regards to starting out and getting what you want.

1) Millionaire Mom by Kim Lavine: a Great down and dirty book that really shows what happens during your journey as an entrepreneur and how to get to millionaire status. She takes you into the huge gap most successful entrpreneurs leave out after: "We got our first sale and it took off from there" I always hate that because the 'It took off from there' line is a crock. No what exactly did you do from that point on, how did it take off, did the success fairy give you more customers than you could handle? What?

2) No B.S Wealth Attraction for Entrepreneurs The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Guide to Really Getting Rich by Dan KennedyThis one I'm reading right now and so far it is a real eye opener. And there are many many things that he points out that makes so much sense in how we perceive wealth and the whole idea of money. Very powerful ways to think about things and how we have the knowledge already to change our situations. -Mmm Hmm Good Stuff*; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Martin Agency on June 18, 2008 at 3:13pm: The E Myth Revisited - http://www.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/08... - Great book on delegation and proper small business management.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gowithabc on June 18, 2008 at 3:15pm: 1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

This is a great book for any up and coming entrepreneur to learn the secrets to success and basic formulas to live by that will foster positive results. It has many stories of successful business men and how developing a burning desire for success in their fields was the key ingredient for becoming successful. Highly recommend this to anyone in business or in life in general!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bill on June 18, 2008 at 3:28pm: Here's my list:

1) The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
This is a basic book that everyone needs to read.

2) See You At the Top by Zig Ziglar
Zip is a true inspiration

3) The E-Myth by Michael Gerber
Helped me understand the difference between working in my business and working on my business.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Hoyer on June 18, 2008 at 3:30pm: Probably the most influential and relevant in today's business world is "Permission Marketing" by Seth Godin. The book predicted how we as consumers would take control of the customer relationship that we have with a business or a brand. The Internet has changed the way we do business as consumers. We are in control.

A new title that also relates is "Radical Transparancy" by Andy Bean. Companies used to manage their "image" throught tightly-controlled press releases and pre-planning. Today the Internet puts the customer in control with ratings and reviews of businesses, blogs, rants, and dedicated websites. He uses the JetBlue icestorm at JFK as an example. The President of JetBlue subsiquently lost his job as a result of the customer's dissatisfaction and collective use of the Internet to voice their displeasure with the airline.

The rules have changed for businesses of all sizes. If you don't manage your customer relationships and business reputation on the Internet, your customer will do it for you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SUp.biz, COO on June 19, 2008 at 1:36pm: Great post. I have rewarded you with a link in the Top Spots section of our Free Biz Tools page.

I agree that Seth Godin is a marketing genius. Permission Marketing is definitely his best book.

The JetBlue President and founder is a great example in individual responsibility. His rebound as an entrepreneur is an incredible story also. He is now creating a low cost SouthWest stlyle airline in South America. Before he had Jet Blue, he founded three separate airlines. The last of which was acquired by SouthWest.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristi Miller on June 18, 2008 at 3:35pm: Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bryon K. Robinson on June 18, 2008 at 3:36pm: The Bible
It has help see what tru character really is in handling personal and business relationships.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christian Pohl on June 18, 2008 at 6:49pm: Really good, especially for my moral in business was Andreas Eschbach's "One Trillion Dollars". Read it and you'll know...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracey Bryant Stuckey on June 18, 2008 at 8:31pm: Who Moved My Cheese?
* This was the catalyst for beginning my business.

The Secret
* This sustains me every day through the ups and downs.

From Good to Great
* I still can't get that Walgreen's story out of my head. Every time I see a corner... I look for
Walgreen's. Now every drugstore wants the corners.; ▶ Reply to This