Literature has always been somewhat of a final frontier of inspiration. If books don’t feed us answers, they instigate questions. Whether it’s a tell-all autobiographical tale, a fictional novel, or a collection of essays, there’s always something to be found.
WAYA Book Club is a curation of books that some great business people deem worthy for you to pick up and flip through their pages. First up, Omar Hagrass, founder and CEO of Trella recommends 5 books for you to check out.
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by James C. Collins
There is no one-size-fits-all model for each and every company. There is, however, a great distinction between companies that push past the status quo of being ‘good’ and becoming great, and companies that fail to do so. This management book by the veteran author, researcher and consultant outlines the reason why some succeed at the leap, while others don’t.
2. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by James C. Collins & Jerry I. Porras
It seems Hagrass has an affinity for the penmanship and insight Collins brings. This revered book outlines a thorough six-year research project that took an in-depth look of what leads great companies to remain so.
3. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel
Staying inventive with the breakneck speed of the modern world’s innovation is a real head-scratcher. Entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel, along with Blake Masters, condense their notes for a class led by Theil at Stanford University on startups, and present how you can learn to think for yourself. Especially as a business leader.
4. The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton Christensen
Penned by Harvard professor and entrepreneur Clayton Christensen, the book elaborates on how ‘disruptive technologies – a term coined by Christensen in the 90s – can make or break a company that’s ticking all the right boxes otherwise.
5. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Sometimes the best business books aren’t just jargon-filled theories and tips. The best lessons often come from lived experiences. This memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight outlines the history of the company’s founding, how it overcame hurdles and evolved into one of the world’s most recognisable brands, and, amidst all the backstory, highlight how Knight’s life ties into it all.
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