Four Business-Related Books I Love and My Key Takeaways
-by Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferris, an original and outside-the-box thinker, takes delegation and time management to another level. He proposes only doing the tasks that only you can do, outsourcing everything else and having more time and flexibility to travel and pursue hobbies. I don’t agree with everything in this book. For example, this book doesn’t account for people who love their job and enjoy working full time. Also, everyone can’t work just four hours a week, some businesses and services need to have regular business hours. Nonetheless, I do like how the author challenges the need for a 40-hour work week for some jobs and the idea of working smarter to be more productive. Everyone can take something away from this book about stewarding their time better. Without further ado, here are a couple of my favorite points from the book:
There is a difference between efficiency and effectiveness. Doing something efficient doesn’t make it important. Doing something unimportant well or requiring a lot of time to do something doesn’t make it important.
Being busy is a form of laziness – lazy thinking and indiscriminate action. Stop and take time to set priorities, instead of being busy without a clear focus. Lack of time is a lack of priorities.
Ask yourself 3x a day, am I being productive or just active?
20/80 rule: Roughly 80% of a company's results (like profits or sales) typically come from only 20% of its inputs (like customers, products, or efforts), meaning businesses should focus on identifying and maximizing the impact of those key 20% to achieve the most significant outcomes.
Batch activities and set an allotted time for tasks like email management, content creation, client calls, and administrative duties to optimize time usage.
-by Donald Miller
I love how this book highlights how marketing and business can be simple. It's an easy read with a ton of gold. Below are some of my biggest takeaways:
Every customer goes through these stages before buying: Curiosity (will this brand help me thrive or survive?), Enlightenment (the how + specifics of brand), Commitment (ask for the sale).
Customers need an average of seven touch points with a brand before they decide to buy.
Create a simple one-liner for your business to use on business cards, email signatures, and put in the about section of your website (ideally, include the customer’s problem, how your business has the solution, how customers will feel, and your business name).
Example: Most people are uncomfortable in front of the camera (problem), Crafted Captures by Faith (Business name) provides clarity for poses and the whole photoshoot timeline (solution), so that you will have photos and an experience to cherish forever (how the customer feels).
Keep language clear and simple on your website. The goal is for your business to be easily memorable.
Websites need to answer three questions within ten seconds (1). What do you offer? 2). How will it make their life better? And 3). What do I need to do to buy the product? (CTA button)
A CTA (call to action) is like your website’s cash register. For example, if you had a physical store, you wouldn't want people wandering around trying to find where they can purchase your product. The same idea goes for websites, put your CTA in a place where it's easy to find.
Create free value on your website (educational PDF or presets sample for example) in exchange for an email. This creates trust with the customer and shows them your value.
This book discusses two types of email campaigns: Nurture and Sales campaigns
Nurture Email Campaigns: Stay connected with the customer until they want to buy (weekly announcements, tips, etc.)
Sales Email Campaigns: Ask for the sale (customer testimonial, paradigm shift, sales email)
-by Chip Ingram, Henry Kaestner, and J. D. Greear
I love the idea behind this book. It's inspiring and motivating to read as a Christian entrepreneur. It helped remind me to stay grounded in the values I have and keep Christ at the center of what I do. I absolutely recommend reading this book! Here are some points that will stay with me:
Our business has been entrusted to us by God and we are responsible to manage it well and serve others through it. It isn’t bad to make a lot of money as a Christian entrepreneur. What matters is how you steward what God has given you.
View work as worship to God. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. Working in ministry isn’t more spiritual than working as a CEO. We also have opportunities to share Christ with others by showing excellence, integrity, and compassion through the work we do.
I love how this book talks about God being the original entrepreneur by setting the example for innovation and creation. As entrepreneurs, we are called to partner with God in our creative process.
Lead with a servant’s heart.
-by Keith Ferrazzi
This book is all about networking, which I believe is so relevant in the photography industry. I remember when I read this book in high school, it was so impactful to me that I still remember some of my key takeaways today and it's on my favorite book list.
Keith was intentional with his time by sharing meals with others and taking the opportunity to connect with someone every chance he could get. Hence the title "Never Eat Alone."
Networking is based on generosity. Share your resources, time, and energy to build relationships based on loyalty and mutual need. Offer help before asking for it.
Be proactive and build your network early. Take the initiative to seek help, find mentors, and surround yourself with people who can help you grow and succeed.
Be a good listener.
Thank you for taking time to read about some of my favorite business and entrepreneurship books. I hope that some of these ideas and points are as insightful, impactful, and inspiring to you as they were for me!
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