Top Business books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Business books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Business

Understanding the concepts of Business starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

The Outsiders : Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success

A book that received high praise from Warren Buffett, The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success chronicles the unconventional techniques that led eight CEOs to outperform the S&P 500 by an astounding twenty times. The best CEOs are not managers, but capital allocators.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

An instant classic, this revised and updated edition of the phenomenal bestseller dispels the myths about starting your own business. Small business consultant and author Michael E. Gerber, with sharp insight gained from years of experience, points out how common assumptions, expectations, and even technical expertise can get in the way of running a successful business. Gerber walks you throug…

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Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Hidden Potential offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Adam Grant weaves together groundbreaking evidence, surprising insights, and vivid storytelling that takes us from the classroom to the boardroom, the playground to the Olympics, and underground to outer space.

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The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future

Shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Named a Best Book of 2022 by The Economist“A gripping fly-on-the-wall story of the rise of this unique and important industry based on extensive interviews with some of the most successful venture capitalists.” - Daniel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal“A must-read for anyone seeking to understand modern-day Silicon Valley and even our…

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Rework

Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you're looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf. Read it and you'll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don't need outside investors, and why you're better off ignoring the competition. The truth is, you need less than you think. You don't…

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The World Is Flat

The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century is a book by Thomas L. Friedman that analyzes globalization, primarily in the early 21st century. The title suggests the world has a more level playing field for commerce in which most competitors, except for labor, have an equal opportunity.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Additional Business Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Business, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy

In 2016, the fate of Paramount Global—the multibillion-dollar entertainment empire that includes Paramount, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Simon & Schuster—hung precariously in the balance. Its founder and head, ninety-three-year-old Sumner M. Redstone, was facing a very public lawsuit brought by a former romantic companion, Manuela Herzer—a lawsuit that placed Sumner’s deteriorating hea…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

The innovator's dilemma

The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen explains how successful companies fail by sticking to their established business models, overlooking disruptive innovations. It offers a framework to help managers anticipate and respond to market changes.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Built to Last : Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

"Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" is a business book written by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. The book outlines the key characteristics and habits of successful companies that have managed to stand the test of time and remain competitive in their respective industries.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Hbr's 10 Must Reads on Emotional Intelligence (with Featured Article What Makes a Leader? by Daniel Goleman)

This collection of articles includes: “What Makes a Leader” by Daniel Goleman, “Primal Leadership: The Hidden Driver of Great Performance” by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee, “Why It’s So Hard to Be Fair” by Joel Brockner, “Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions” by Andrew Campbell, Jo Whitehead, and Sydney Finkelstein, “Building the Emotional Intelligence of Groups” by Vanessa …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

The $100 Startup

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau is a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. It offers practical insights and case studies on starting and growing a business on a shoestring budget. The book emphasizes creativity, simplicity, and resourcefulness as key ingredients for success.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Trajectory: Startup: Ideation to Product/Market Fit

Trajectory: Startup removes the mystery from the startup process and outlines a roadmap of tasks and timeframes, with monthly milestones and resources. This pre-accelerator program will help you get the momentum you need.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

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