While most business books are written by authors who actually have conducted their own business, there are some where you can tell the author merely researched the information. They often imply that the author does not seem to have a real idea of the actuality of the business. These kind of books are often too general and lack any real depth.

Great business books generally include information on pricing business products accurately, discuss different and actual owners’ knowledge of making or losing money, as well as on specific jobs. Furthermore, good books discuss the bookkeeping, which generates information needed to manage a company. For example, up-to-date general ledger information shows which customers are past due on their accounts or have outstanding balances on lines of credit. They tend to discuss how financial reports help assess whether or not gross profits and expenses are in line with the reader’s specific budget and projected net profits. In other words, these reports help to anticipate and avoid cash-flow problems and to know your cash flow – short and long term. Here are ten successful business books that have garnered a lot of interest in the business world:

1. Think and Grow Rich, written by Napoleon Hill, ultimately discusses more about having a successful mentality than specific marketing techniques. These techniques, however, may be the more important skill to master.

2. Attract Money Now is regarded as a must read. Joe Vitale is a best selling author in the marketing (both conventional and internet), advertising and sales categories. Again, much of his work appears to be concerned with success mentality, however, the quality of the information he presents is great. Additionally, he is very highly regarded in his field in general.

3. Good to Great, is an enlightening read as it talks about companies that, using objective criteria, went from being good companies to great companies. Author, Phil Collins, writes objectively so that the reader can judge for themselves and he explains what it was that helped these particular companies excel. He explores NuCorp Steel’s strategic thinking process and how they excelled at a time when Bethlehem Steel was close to poverty.  Overall, this is a great book for a small business person.

4. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, by T Harv Eke, is a valuable book is when it comes to learning about leverage, residual income, passive income and investments. His principles can easily be applied to home-based businesses and have helped many businesses grow exponentially.  Most importantly, Eke details how it is all in the mindset.

5. Learning some real life/practical financial literacy through one of the most sought after business books, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, gives readers an idea how to be wealthy in your own business.

6. The New Positioning, Differentiate or Die, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing and practically any book by Jack Trout is very helpful.

7. The Oz Principle, by Roger Connors, has real-life examples of mistakes made by CEOs of major companies.

8. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, is a nonfiction, but easy to read book. Gerber discusses the most important thing for a successful business person to realize; specifically that there is a difference between wanting to bake the cakes versus actually owning the bakery.

9. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox, accurately details the three most important aspects of running a business, and how to balance in order to maximize productivity and profit. The book uses the example of a manufacturing plant, but can be extrapolated to any business.

10. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker, reveals how rich people think differently than middle class or poor people. The “Millionaire” thinks differently about themselves, other people, money, wealth, and basically every facet of life. Their perspective ultimately leads to success as their choices and decisions naturally produce wealth .

Those contemplating business should attempt to read about one business book per month, and possibly regularly be reading business magazines, which a local library should have readily available. Others believe that the best bet is simply to dive in and learn through their own trial and error efforts. Here, the old saying, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach” may possibly apply; be cognizant to the fact that many instructive books are written by those who did not ultimately succeed in their ventures. Good luck in your endeavors.