The Top 5 Books To Run A Successful Digital Agency

As an entrepreneur I strongly believe in the importance of personal development. Investing time into self improvement is vital; I currently read a book a week and fully agree that you are what you read.

This said, I want to share with you what I consider to be the top 5 books you need to read to run a successful digital agency.

Small Giants: Companies That Chose to Be Great Instead of Big.

Bo Burlingham

Small Giants explores fourteen privately held companies, all of which took different routes to success. The author explains how the four businesses chose to focus on being great at what they do, as opposed to growing their company in size- deflecting the pressure of continuous growth.

Within this book, the author truly captures the essence and spirit of small business entrepreneurs, and showcases the true meaning of being the best at what you do. Small Giants highlights new directions, new ideas and new considerations, to help any business owner make their company successful.

Built To Sell: Creating A Business That Can Survive Without You.

John Warrillow

For any entrepreneur who has or is even considering starting a business, I would recommend this book. John Warrillow explains that the biggest mistake made by entrepreneurs, is building a business that is too heavily dependent on them.

Warrillow explores three key areas to ensure the success and sellability of his business: Teachable, Valuable and Repeatable. These areas cover every important aspect of the process and ensures your business is reaching its maximum profit potential. He tactfully explains how to add value to your business, whilst training it to run continuously- regardless of your presence.

The Go To Expert: How to Grow Your Reputation, Differentiate Yourself from the Competition and Win New Business.

Heather Townsend and Jon Baker

A prominent challenge that every business owner faces is differentiating yourself from the competition. There are 100s of authors offering solutions, however this book provides you with clear, no-nonsense advice on how to make yourself stand out in a saturated marketplace.

The Go To Expert gives you the simple strategy to ensure you optimise your transition from ‘another business’ to being widely recognised as the ‘go-to business’. If you need guidance on how to make clients choose you, or how to market and sell your business, then this book is a must.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It.

Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth (The Entrepreneurial Myth) states that most individuals who start small businesses are entrepreneurs. This book explores the ‘fatal assumption’ that those who understand the technical work of a business, are able to successfully run a business that does the technical work.

Gerber identifies and analyses how common assumptions can prevent individuals from running a successful business. The author exhibits a step-by-step process, guiding you through the correct paths to ensure your business succeeds. The true value of this book however lies behind the exploration into the difference between working on your business and working in your business.

Think and Grow Rich.

Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich is a financial insight into 40 millionaires, in which the author explores the steps they took to make them who they are today. This book gives you the foundations to success, as Hill provides you with everything you need to understand to position yourself above the competition.

This book stands out as it is the text all successful entrepreneurs use. The theories Hill explains are still as true today as they were when it was written, and many authors simply try to replicate what he has written. For a concise, straight-forward and logical approach to becoming a successful entrepreneur – you must read this book.