The start of a new year is always a good time to assess what you want to achieve over the next 12 months. And how you’re going to achieve it.
Whether it’s your small business, work-life balance or your lifestyle, we all have room to grow over the next 12 months. So why not take some advice or lessons from other experts and entrepreneurs to see what we can start doing differently this year.
We’ve made a list of some of our favourite books and podcasts for small businesses to help you achieve your goals this year.
Book: Start with Why by Simon Sinek
You might have seen Simon Sinek’s TED Talk START WITH WHY, which is now the third most popular TED Talk of all time. But this is where it all began.
Simon Sinek is a best-selling author and business consultant around the world. Start with Why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action, talks about how you as a business owner can inspire your customers or colleagues.
Simon Sinek says we shouldn’t be selling products or services based on what they are. We should be selling the reason behind them.
Buy it online here.
Podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show
Want to know what some of the best in the world do on a daily basis? Tim Ferris chats to world-class experts and performers about tools, routines, time-management habits and more.
Previous guests include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Sharapova, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn and more. The podcast itself has been selected as a Best of Apple Podcasts three years running and was the first business or interview podcast to surpass 100-million downloads.
Find it for free online here.
Book: Who moved my cheese? by Spencer Johnson
A favourite of Alan Berg and seller of more than 26 million copies worldwide since its release in 1998, this book is a motivational fable for businesses. Who moved my cheese? An amazing way to deal with change in your work and in your life will take you through how to adapt to change, suffer from less stress and enjoy more success in work and in life. It also discusses the four typical reactions to change and how to deal with these better.
This is an amusing way to give serious life advice, where cheese is a metaphor for what you want in life. In the ever-changing wedding industry, it’s a useful tool to have.
Buy it online here.
Podcast: WSJ Minute Briefing
For those wanting to stay updated with what’s happening around the world without spending an hour updating yourself with the news, this could be the podcast for you.
The Wall Street Journal gives three one-minute newsflashes throughout the day to keep you informed without taking too much time away from your business.
Find it for free online here.
Book: Shut up and sell more weddings & events by Alan Berg
One of our favourites of Alan Berg’s, this book is a must-read for any wedding business. Shut up and sell more weddings & events – ask better questions, listen to the answers and grow your business, will help any business in the wedding industry.
Alan Berg’s knowledge of the wedding industry along with his experience selling will give you the tools and the confidence for you to make more sales. Plus all the examples he uses are from real businesses.
Buy it online here.
Podcast: This week in startups
Stay up to date with the latest outrageous and interesting stories from the world of entrepreneurship. Focused on startups and tech, this podcast gives you an insiders look into the startup industry and how these businesses are fighting for their place in the world.
If you’re looking for ways to think outside the box to improve your business or motivate your team you should give this podcast a listen.
Find it for free online here.
Book: Thrive by Arianna Huffington
One of the most influential women in the world, Arianna Huffington’s wake up call came in the form of a broken cheekbone after she collapsed from exhaustion and lack of sleep. Thrive: the third metric to redefining success and creating a life of well-being, wisdom and wonder calls us to change what we define as success in the modern world.
The book takes research and scientific findings from psychology, sleep, physiology and sports to guide us in a cultural revolution. The book also talks about the benefits of unplugging, mindfulness and meditation to give us more balance in our lives.
Buy it online here.
Podcast: Duct Tape Marketing
Need some help promoting your business or getting your name out there? This podcast gives marketing tips, tactics and resources from authors, experts and thought-leaders around the world. It’s also hosted by one of America’s leading small business marketing experts, John Jantsch.
This is a great resource for marketing information and individual episodes will go into depth to help you build on different areas of your business marketing.
Find it online for free here.
Book: The E Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber
The E Myth is a classic and this revisited copy looks into the advice from the original with updated details from the modern world.
Michael E Gerber is a small business expert and consultant with several years of experience. He’ll walk you through what can get in the way of running a successful business and how to grow your business in a productive way. He also focuses on the distinction between working on your business and working in your business.
Buy it online here.
