The best books of 2023 - Part 2 (Strategy, Product Management, Growth, Sales)
The best books of 2023 - Part 2 (Strategy, Product Management, Growth, Sales)
This is the second part of our series presenting the most recommended books in 2023 covering Strategy, Business Development, Marketing, Growth, Product Management, and Sales.
One of the most useful features of The Mentoring Club is the public library. Each mentor and mentee can add book recommendations to their profile, making it easier to find the best mentoring matches and start meaningful conversations. Overall, we collected almost 2,000 books in 2023, making the library a true treasure of knowledge and wisdom.
Each book comes with a list of key facts and a detailed summary. For some, we added a video of a talk or interview with the author. Find out yourself.
In this post, we’d like to present the most recommended books in 2023 for
Strategy & Business Development
Marketing & Growth
Product Management
and Sales
Strategy & Business Development
The most recommended books in the Strategy and Business Development category are defined by a selection of influential works that provide groundbreaking strategies and practical insights for business growth and innovation. These books are essential for anyone involved in business strategy or entrepreneurship or looking to navigate the challenges of the corporate world with innovative and effective approaches.
"Zero to One - Notes on Start Ups, or How to Build the Future" by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel
In "Zero to One", Blake Masters and Peter Thiel provide an unconventional perspective on startup innovation and success. The book challenges the traditional formulas for business and emphasizes the importance of creating something new and unique. Thiel's insights, drawn from his extensive experience in Silicon Valley, offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators aspiring to move from zero to one – from the initial idea to a groundbreaking company.
"Working Backwards - Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon" by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr
"Working Backwards" offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the world's most successful companies, Amazon. Authors Colin Bryar and Bill Carr, both former Amazon executives, detail the principles and practices that have driven Amazon's success. This book is a trove of insights into leadership, corporate culture, and decision-making processes that are instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation and long-term growth.
"Built to Last" by Jim Collins
Jim Collins' "Built to Last" is a classic in the business strategy genre. This book results from extensive research on what differentiates great companies from good ones. Collins introduces concepts like 'Big Hairy Audacious Goals' (BHAGs) and preserving core values while stimulating progress. It’s a must-read for business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to build enduring companies.
"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz's book addresses the challenges and struggles of running a startup. Drawing on his own experiences as a startup founder and CEO, Horowitz offers essential advice on dealing with the tough decisions and harsh realities that business leaders face. This book stands out for its honest and straightforward insights into the complexities of managing and growing a business.
"Business Model Generation - A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers" by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
"Business Model Generation" is a guidebook for modern entrepreneurs and business leaders. It presents a creative, design-thinking approach to developing compelling business models. The book is visually engaging and filled with strategic tools and frameworks, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to innovate and redefine their business strategy.
"Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition - How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant" by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
In "Blue Ocean Strategy", authors Kim and Mauborgne argue for the creation of 'blue oceans' – untapped new market spaces ripe for innovation. The book offers a systematic approach to breaking away from competition and setting a company apart. This expanded edition includes new case studies and updates, ensuring its continued relevance in the evolving business landscape.
Marketing & Growth
The Marketing & Growth category offers a rich selection of books covering various topics, from web usability and tribe building to A/B testing and innovation strategies. These books provide marketers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders with the insights and tools needed to navigate the complex landscape of modern marketing, build meaningful customer connections, and drive sustainable business growth.
"Don't Make Me Think, Revisited - A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability" by Steve Krug
Steve Krug's "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" is a foundational web design and usability text. This revised edition remains a definitive guide for creating user-friendly websites and applications. Krug’s approach is grounded in the principle that a good website should let users accomplish their intended tasks as easily and directly as possible. This book is a must-read for anyone involved in web design, development, or digital marketing.
"Tribes - We Need You to Lead Us" by Seth Godin
In "Tribes", marketing guru Seth Godin explores the concept of tribes in the modern world – groups of people connected to a leader, an idea, or each other. Godin argues that anyone can be a leader and that creating a tribe around a product, service, or idea can be a powerful marketing strategy. This book is perfect for marketers and entrepreneurs looking to build a loyal community and lead change.
"Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments - A Practical Guide to A/B Testing" by Ron Kohavi, Diane Tang, Ya Xu
"Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments" is an authoritative guide to A/B testing – a key technique in modern marketing for making data-driven decisions. The authors, experienced practitioners in the field, provide a comprehensive overview of running successful online experiments. This book is invaluable for marketers and data analysts who want to optimize websites and digital campaigns effectively.
"Traction - How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth" by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares
Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares' "Traction" is a practical guide to achieving customer growth. The book outlines various channels and strategies for acquiring new customers and helps entrepreneurs choose and focus on the ones most effective for their business. It's a strategic resource for startups and established businesses looking to scale their customer base.
"This is Marketing - You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See" by Seth Godin
Another Seth Godin entry, "This is Marketing", offers a fresh perspective on the true goal of marketing: making change happen. Godin emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience and crafting resonating messages. This book is a deep dive into the art of seeing and understanding others, making it essential reading for modern marketers.
"Competing Against Luck - The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice" by Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon, David S. Duncan
"Competing Against Luck" presents the 'Jobs to be Done' theory, a framework for understanding customer choice and innovation. Christensen and his co-authors argue that success lies in understanding the 'job' for which customers 'hire' a product or service. This book offers profound insights into developing products and services that meet customer needs.
"Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, Second Edition" by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
"Influencer" focuses on the power of influence in leading change. This book is a guide to becoming an effective influencer in a personal, community, or organizational context. It combines research and real-world stories to present strategies for changing behaviors – a skill essential in marketing and growth.
"Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success"
"Shortcut Your Startup" offers a roadmap to rapid success for new entrepreneurs. It provides ten key strategies for navigating the early stages of a startup, helping entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their path to growth and profitability.
Product Management
The 2023 recommendations in the Product Management category feature insightful books covering various aspects of the discipline, from ideation and development to positioning and delivery. These works offer invaluable guidance and strategies for product managers and teams looking to build and manage products that meet market demands and drive innovation and business success.
"Inspired" by Marty Cagan
Marty Cagan's "Inspired" is considered a must-read in product management. This book offers invaluable insights into the art and science of creating successful tech products. With his extensive experience in the tech industry, Cagan provides readers with practical frameworks and strategies for developing products that customers love. "Inspired" is a guidebook for product managers and those involved in product development, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and customer-centric approaches.
"The Lean Product Playbook" by Dan Olsen
Dan Olsen's "The Lean Product Playbook" is a practical guide to applying lean startup principles to product management. Olsen breaks the process of creating a product into clear, actionable steps, helping product managers and entrepreneurs identify market needs, create product hypotheses, and iteratively test and refine their ideas. This book is essential for anyone looking to build products that truly meet customer needs resource-efficiently.
"The Product Book" by Josh Anon, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, Product School
"The Product Book" provides a comprehensive overview of the role and responsibilities of a product manager. Written by experts from Product School, this book delves into every aspect of product management, from conception to delivery. It serves as a practical guide for aspiring and seasoned product managers, offering insights into the best practices and methodologies in the field.
"Escaping the Build Trap" by Melissa Perri
Melissa Perri's "Escaping the Build Trap" addresses one of the most common pitfalls in product management: focusing too much on shipping features rather than creating real customer value. Perri emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach to product management, balancing the delivery of new features with the need to understand and solve real customer problems. This book is a call to action for organizations to shift their focus from feature output to outcome-based planning.
"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries
Eric Ries' "The Lean Startup" is foundational in modern entrepreneurial and product management methodologies. The book introduces the concept of lean startup – a systematic, scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in an age of uncertainty. Ries' ideas on iterative product development, validated learning, and rapid prototyping have become essential practices in product management.
"Obviously Awesome - How to Nail Product Positioning So Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It" by April Dunford
April Dunford's "Obviously Awesome" focuses on the crucial aspect of product positioning. With her expertise in marketing and product management, Dunford provides a step-by-step framework for positioning a product in a way that resonates with customers. This book is a guide to ensuring that products are well-designed and clearly understood and valued by the market.
Sales
The Sales category's selection of books for 2023 offers a diverse range of perspectives and strategies, catering to both the philosophical and practical aspects of sales. From mastering the art of value-based pricing to developing effective strategies for B2B sales, these books provide invaluable insights for sales professionals at all levels. Each book presents unique methodologies and techniques critical for success in the ever-evolving and competitive sales world.
"Value-Based Fees - How to Charge - and Get - What You're Worth" by Alan Weiss
Alan Weiss's "Value-Based Fees" offers a transformative approach to pricing and sales strategies, particularly for consultants and service providers. This book challenges traditional hourly billing models and advocates for a value-based approach, where fees are aligned with the value delivered to the client. Weiss provides practical advice on communicating this value, negotiating fees, and building long-term client relationships. It's an essential read for professionals looking to confidently assert their worth and optimize their earnings.
"The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino
Og Mandino's "The Greatest Salesman in the World" is a timeless classic in the sales genre. More than just a guide to selling, it's a philosophical treatise on success and personal development. The book is structured around ten ancient scrolls that offer timeless wisdom, each providing a principle or lesson to guide salespeople towards more effective practices and a fulfilling life. Mandino's work continues to inspire sales professionals with its powerful blend of motivational storytelling and practical sales advice.
“Fast Forward - Accelerating B2B Sales for Startups" by Martin Giese and Matthias Hilpert
"Fast Forward" by Giese and Hilpert is a valuable resource for startup entrepreneurs and sales professionals in the B2B sector. The book offers a roadmap for accelerating sales processes, focusing on the unique challenges startups face in the business-to-business environment. It covers essential topics such as building a sales team, developing effective sales strategies, and understanding the B2B sales cycle. This book is particularly useful for those in the early stages of business development, providing practical tools and insights for rapid growth.
"How to Master the Art of Selling" by Tom Hopkins
Tom Hopkins' "How to Master the Art of Selling" is a comprehensive guide covering various sales process aspects. Hopkins, a renowned sales trainer, compiles a wealth of techniques and tips that are as relevant for beginners as they are for seasoned sales professionals. The book covers topics ranging from prospecting and presenting to closing and follow-up. Hopkins' approach is characterized by his focus on building relationships and understanding customer needs, making this book a crucial addition to any salesperson's library.
We hope you enjoyed this second part of our book recommendation review. The next part will focus on Design, Culture, Organization Structures, and Startups.