Non-lame books for starting a business?

February 3, 2013 2:49 PM

There are about a zillion books on starting a new business, being a manager, etc. My base assumption is that they're all lame, and the few I've flipped through didn't make a good impression. Any thoughts?

Here are the things I don't want:

* A "you will be a millionaire in no time rah rah" book
* A "how to make the next big iPhone app" book
* An unethical book
* A book that's too old to have insights on how modern business is changing

Background:

I have a software design and development background and I just don't know much about running a business. I've always assumed it wasn't my thing, but now I want to learn more. I'm not expecting to make a jillion dollars, I don't want to try for the VC->flip the company thing, I have a tolerance for risk but I'm not an adrenaline junkie.

I'd also like something more current; I'd love the book to be a little more Andy Baio/XOXO/it's a new world for indies and a lot less Jack Welch 80's capitalism. I'm not against making money, or risk, or tough calls, but so many business books have a war/greed slant that isn't really my thing.

As for the exact business: I'm not sure. I'm looking for solid business knowledge that can be applied anywhere rather than aiming at one field in particular.

Thanks!

posted by jragon to Education (10 answers total)

Best answer: I will recommend you three:

* Inc and grow rich
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OXCERE

* The art of the start
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Start-Battle-Hardened-ebook/dp/B000QJLQY4/


* Winning Through Intimidation
http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Through-Intimidation-Robert-Ringer/dp/0449207862/
posted by yoyo_nyc at 3:08 PM on February 3, 2013

Best answer: The Lean startup is good

http://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898
posted by mattoxic at 3:59 PM on February 3, 2013

Best answer: I really like Guy Kawasaki's Reality Check.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:14 PM on February 3, 2013

Best answer: The Emyth revisited is mostly padding but definitely worth a read. Seconding lean start up too.
posted by molloy at 4:35 PM on February 3, 2013

Response by poster: These look great, thanks all :)
posted by jragon at 4:59 PM on February 3, 2013

I found Alpha Books' Small Business Desk Reference^ (2004) to be really handy as it's good at giving a detailed, high-level overview of all of the tedious, boring parts of running a business. So I find it a great place to start when you're trying to get your bearings on any particular problem.
posted by XMLicious at 5:20 PM on February 3, 2013

I'm not sure if I'd call either a "starting a business" book, but Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Built to Last by Jim Collins are worth reading.
posted by _DB_ at 7:52 PM on February 3, 2013

From Idea to Success seemed surprisingly substantive, and is written by a professor of entrepreneurship
posted by shivohum at 9:55 PM on February 3, 2013

The Startup Owner's Manual by Steve Blank is excellent. He was the Lean Startup guy, Eric Ries's professor.
posted by AceRock at 10:47 PM on February 3, 2013

Do you want to run a business (consulting or contract work), or do a startup (innovative technology, high risk, high possible reward)? If the latter, check out Paul Graham's writing or Y Combinator startup school talks.
posted by sninctown at 5:28 PM on February 4, 2013