We’re all trying to get better at what we’re doing. Whether it’s how we run our business, or nailing one quick hack. Sometimes you just need an expert’s opinion.

Instead of finding a mentor how about finding a book? Here are a few of our favorites for Friday Reads:

1. Onward – making tough decisions is part of being a business owner. Making them at scale takes courage. This book shows how Starbucks lost its way, but found it again by getting back to the basic of making great coffee. Along the way, CEO Howard Schultz had to make some hard decisions, including closing stores and laying off staff. If you’re facing a hard road ahead in your business this year, this book is for you.
2. The Power of Habit – do you make choices every day? Or are you mearly an amalgamation of your habits? Charles Duhigg breaks down what a habit is, and how to destroy or create them in your own life. If we’re all a collection of our habits, let’s make them good ones. Like paying our invoices on-time, going to the gym, and always leaving work by 6pm.
3. The Best Place to Work – anyone who’s worked in a bad office knows how difficult and draining it can be. You can’t get the most from your employees, or even yourself, if you’re not set up for success. Social psychologist Ron Friedman takes the latest breakthroughs in behavioral science and research into workplace conditions and turns them into practical tips. Whether you have a team of 100 or you work from home, there’s something in here for you.
4. Ask – We live in a customer focused world. But the tried and true method of finding out what our customers want, market research, doesn’t work according to author Ryan Levesque. Not only does he show you why it doesn’t work, he offers a (somewhat technical) way to overcome it. He gives you actionable steps to reproduce his success. If you want to know what your customers really want, this book is for you.

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Source: Xero