Traditionally people have learned vital lessons through the telling and retelling of stories. Business book authors have taken advantage of this idea and some of them are very effective at communicating key issues.
The Impact Of The Goal On Popularising Business Novels
This way of writing books has been particularly popular with the Theory of Constraints with “The Goal” leading the way together with the One Minute Manager books.
This book tells the story of how a troubled manufacturing plant in the USA was saved by the senior manager introducing key principles that focused on identifying and then leveraging the constraint. It also told the story of the same man whose marriage was falling apart under the strains of his job.
To some extent this is a hard category to find success since the book needs to contain key business lessons and the story needs to be compelling too.
The Best Business Books Written As Novels
You will only see the books I’ve rated at Four Stars (meaning good and well worth reading) and Five Stars (excellent and very highly recommended).
If you read my reviews, you’ll see I try to explain why I like them but also to identify any weaknesses. My job as a reviewer is to help you to find the most appropriate books rather than to help sell more books.
On that note, if you do decide to buy, I’d appreciate it if you could click through to Amazon on my links as (hopefully) I’ll earn a small referral commission.
Some of these books can be very expensive so, if you’re happy with a hard back or paperback book, take a look at the second hand options on Amazon. Personally I only buy if the condition is described as “As New” or “Very Good” unless I’m really keen and forced to drop down to “Good”.
The Five Star Books
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu Goldratt and Jeff Cox
This is the place to start if you have any interest in the Theory of Constraints.
Forget the Urgent!: Rather focus on the important: A business dialogue based on the best seller ‘The Goal’ by Eliyahu M Goldratt by Matías Birrell and Javier Arévalo
A wider application of the Theory of Constraints as the book urges you to focus on the important constraints
The One Minute Manager: Simple Ideas Make A Big Difference To How Well Your Employees Work by Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
Management of people 101. Short, simple, direct and so obvious once you’ve read it.
Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership by Kenneth Blanchard, Patricia Zigarmi and Drea Zigarmi
A book to help you to refine your management style for each person you are responsible for leading.
The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey: Free Up Your Time And Deal With Priorities by Ken Blanchard, William Oncken Jr and Hal Burrows
A major lesson in how to stop others destroying your work activities.
The Four Stars Books
Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles
The One Minute Apology by Ken Blanchard and Margaret McBride
Critical Chain by Eliyahu Goldratt
Isn’t It Obvious? By Eliyahu Goldratt
Absolute Certainty by John Haylock
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
The One Minute Salesperson by Spencer Johnson
The Art of Profitability by Adrian Slywotzky
The Bottom Line by Alan Warner
Other Categories of Business Books That Might Interest You
These are traditional non fiction books but link through to the books I’ve rated at the five and four star level.
Business Books For Women – Business Planning – Business Start-Up – Customer Service – Finance – Getting Unstuck – Inner Game – Internet Marketing – Leading Your Team – Marketing – Profit Improvement – Retail Business – Sales Training – Social Media – Specific Niche Markets –
Paul Simister is a business coach who helps business owners who are stuck, get unstuck. If your business is based in the UK, you can have a free Business SOS consultation with me to help you get unstuck.
