Best Business Books to Read in 2023 (Recommended by Business Leaders)
Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or business leader, it’s important to consistently research informative commentary around all things business, strategy, and technology. You want to listen to the experts, the people who have been doing what you do and are successful. This will help you make smarter, faster decisions for your business.
From becoming a better leader to understanding the trending tactics in your industry, seeking valuable insight will help you grow. Reading the best business books introduces you to an array of influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are willing to give you advice from their source of genius.
Stay current on your goals and provide yourself with others’ first-hand experiences to guide you through the challenges and trials you may face.
15 Best Business Books to Help Your Business
Let’s explore 15 of the the best business books in 2023. They come recommended to you by other business leaders who attest to their impact.
#1 Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
“I read this book with other colleagues, going through each section of the methodology together, and none of us expected the impact on satisfaction and productivity. Now, it’s something I’ve re-applied several times on my own since. The system works if you work it and helps you create new habits to advance yourself and your business,” says Scott Hitchins, CMO at Interact.
There’s a reason David Allen’s book has stood the test of time with his methods of productivity. It’s the fine-tune every business leader can use as they move through different phases of their journey. It provides clarification, organization, and a game-changing way to establish peace of mind when you’re the one wearing multiple hats.
#2 The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
A compelling, easy read for progressive business leaders, this book proves that story-based learning works. By taking you through his dysfunctions and the ways he supported a successful team, Lencioni presents a team management ideology that sticks with you. It teaches you how to engage clearly with your time with an applicable model. If you want to build an effective team that promotes trust, transparency, and the desire to drive results, give this one a read.
Aaron Gray, managing partner at NO-BS, mentions, “My favorite part about this book was that it read like a novel, taking out all the business jargon and really getting to the heart of the matter regarding things like lack of trust, commitment, and accountability amongst teams. It makes you feel wiser, not just smarter, and has been a pivotal tool in my professional growth.”
Read more: The Importance of Teamwork in (As Proven by Data)
#3 Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
“I always knew I was meant to be a leader in business, but I never aligned with feeling like I had to follow a sales gimmick to grow professionally. Cialdini’s book not only validated that for me but made me realize my empathy could empower me to make great strides in my business pursuits. I just had to learn how to get off autopilot. This book taught me that,” Roy Morejon, president and cofounder of Enventys Partners.
The data-driven, easily digestible conversations in this book provide a plethora of examples of why persuasion is an essential skill and how you can implement it now. Broken into chapters with the key elements of reciprocity, scarcity, liking, authority, social proof, and commitment/consistency, Cialdini breaks down the sociological, behavioral, and psychological principles behind persuasion in life and business.
#4 Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Practicality is the key with this one, with loads of case studies and analysis-based presentations that provide invaluable insight. As a CEO, manager, entrepreneur, or any business leader, you know the importance of operating in a unique space so you can stand out amongst your competition. Through the business strategies presented in this book, you’re gaining a competitive advantage instantly.
“I reshaped many of my thoughts about how I approach my business after reading the book. It’s unconventional, progressive, and the ‘blue ocean’ helped me set new boundaries within the market I was trying to reach without reluctance. It set the tone for how I designed my framework for growth,” says Jerry Han, CMO at PrizeRebel.
Why Your Idea is Worth Nothing | Marc Randolph of Netflix
Watch this video on YouTube
#5 Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
“I would easily say this book was transformative. Through the concept of creating ‘stickier’ ideas, I built some bold strategies that I knew would amplify my credibility and remain concrete in the market. It gave me an advantage by teaching me how to redefine what it means to communicate with my audience. The structure kept me in line and also called me out on some of the weaknesses I didn’t know I had,” says Michael Nemeroff, CEO and cofounder of Rush Order Tees.
The “SUCCESS” framework in this book is accompanied by relatable stories to showcase its principles, securing the reasoning behind the successful strategies it promotes. Like a “how-to” manual with an entertaining tone and mood, it’s an easy-to-follow guidebook that effectively makes its point about the essential elements applicable to nailing down your messaging and ideas.
#6 Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
Voss teaches you the skills of negotiation and helps you make it a habitual technique. He offers you a step-by-step protocol process for negotiating a multitude of things with tactful empathy and confidence. Structured questions are included to help you get to know your client’s motivations, understand their desires, and figure out what’s “right” for them. If you want to have meaningful conversations that drive results with your clients, here are your building blocks.
“The return on my investment in this book was that I was able to land more long-term clients than ever before. Plus, I was relationship-building in a way that felt mutually impactful. It helped me eliminate some of my stressors in high-stakes situations because I felt confident in promoting collaboration,” says Dean Kaplan, CEO of Kaplan Collection Agency.
#7 Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Understanding finance and economics is monumental to your professional growth as a leader, and now you’ve got your toolkit to break down the essentials with ease. By providing a diverse perspective of stories and examples, the book provokes you to think outside the box with a critical-based mindset. It teaches you how to pay attention to the numbers, and present that data from a world-view.
“The questions asked in this book piqued my curiosity and changed my perspective about the world. Applying economics to things like our social behaviors, morality, and core values, made me realize I needed to see outside what I had always believed if I ever wanted to grow,” says Gael Brenton, cofounder of Authority Hacker.
#8 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by James C. Collins
“It’s all about high performance and how to empower people to be great in the work they do. I appreciated the research about what it means to sustain greatness amongst a team and the presented levels of leadership in business. It helped me shape the most suitable work environment for us,” says Nate Tsang, Founder and CEO at WallStreetZen.
Exploring ways to have a performance breakthrough and implementing disciplined actions for your team will go from good to great after reading this book. With extensive analysis expanding over 10 years, it breaks down how to be a results-focused leader with a corporate strategy and expansive core values.
Scared to Fail? Watch This | Shopify President Harley Finkelstein
Watch this video on YouTube
#9 Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer L. Eberhardt
You may not have thought understanding the social science behind complex bias amongst people could change your leadership approach, but Eberhardt shows you why. Unconscious attitudes affect your interactions and this book calls to the surface the ways inequity can occur in business without notice. It presents a scientific exposition of the impact these biases can have, and how you can rise above them.
“Reading this provoked me to take accountability for implicit bias I didn’t know I had due to societal and human conditioning. The cognitive research and discussions completely deconstructed the context behind how I approach people in all walks of my life. It was evolutionary for my relationships,” says Chelsea Cohen, cofounder of SoStocked.
#10 The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
“I didn’t want to feel pressured by a tough business environment, or feel unprepared for situations that may have needed damage control. I was keen on his wisdom because he’s overcome everything I knew I wanted to prevent. The thing is, the book didn’t teach me how to ‘prevent’ every problem, but understanding that any problem that did arise could be manageable for me to successfully handle,” Catherine Schwartz, finance editor at Crediful.
The best thing about this book is that it’s designed to show you how you can make a mistake in your business and still survive the blow. You’re taking advice from someone who has gone through enough ups and downs to get you to a point where you’ll never have to say, “I wish I knew this sooner,” again.
Read more: What Is Transformational Leadership? The Theory Explained with Examples
#11 Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Staying directed and focused on your benchmarks will prevent you from falling into situations that may not have been worth your investment. Instead of working on impulse and enthusiasm, this book encourages you to get clear on your “why.” Its key concepts focus on creating a strong vision that inspires others and keeps you aligned to that purpose. It eliminates manipulation tactics from the equation and brings more authenticity to positive consumer culture.
“I loved the concept that it’s not just about providing an exceptional product or service, but also getting in tune with why you’re putting it out into the world. It gave my team and I a chance to humanize ourselves in this space and cultivate deeper connections with the people we work with,” says Iskra Evtimova.
#12 Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel
“I never quite imagined that I could create something that didn’t exist before and not even have to consider the aspect of competition. After reading Thiel’s thought-provoking viewpoints on what it means to strategize outside the realm of my competitors, I started to see things differently. It opened doors for me to step into my role as a visionary without fear,” says Sarah Choi, community lead at CryptoJobList.
The thought experiments presented through Thiel’s roadmap take you through points in entrepreneurial history that act as evidence for the future projections of business leaders. The philosophies are effective for innovative management and teach you how to develop ideas that help your product or service become part of a worldwide network that transcends a competitive market.
#13 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
The fundamental concepts in this book simplify how easy it can be to shift your personal cognitions and improve how you relate to others. It encourages you to develop a set of values that act as guidelines for how you approach your business relations and transform what it means to make a business “plan” you can sustain and thrive in.
“My contacts and connections expanded as I applied these habits to the way I showed up in my business. I wished I had read it sooner, not realizing how much understanding public relations would be to my professional development. I still go back to it, picking up new tidbits each time,” says Jenna Nye, CEO at On the Strip.
#14 The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
“I think what was most fascinating was the way he talks about the term ‘social epidemic’ and how things become accelerated, or ‘contagious,’ amongst people. It made me realize that the context in which we put things out there for our clients and how we communicate our messaging can affect them. What type of impact do I want to have? That was the question,” says Leanna Serras, chief customer officer of FragranceX.
The social science research Gladwell unravels is quite eye-opening. It’s about complex problem-solving based on lived experience and real observations in society. There is a wealth of information in these anecdotes and how we adopt and adapt to the way products and services are presented to us.
HOW YOU'RE KILLING YOUR BUSINESS | #1 MISTAKE
Watch this video on YouTube
#15 $100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi
Hormozi presents a manual that you will always go back to for the way it exemplifies how to find your true value and take action in any sector of your business. It offers a framework to create higher values for your business with a system that covers how to change the trajectory of your path toward success. Increase your lead generation, land deals of a lifetime, and feel more confident as you assert your leadership authority through these concepts.
“I am grateful for this book because of how thorough the blueprint was, giving me something tangible to build off. There’s productive guidance in these pages that helped me bring my business to new heights and elevated me as an entrepreneur. As I continue to grow, Hormozi’s framework will stay with me,” says Nicole Thelin, Founder of Low Income Relief.
Never Stop Learning
The best business books will help you learn more about how you want to show up as a business leader, make informed decisions, and execute your plans with knowledge.
Get inspired by those who can help you improve your analytical thinking, communication skills, and overall business mindset. By learning from others’ mistakes and achievements, you can set yourself up for faster success.
19 best books for starting a business
There will never be a “one size fits all" approach to starting a business. Nevertheless, there are common challenges founders face when navigating the long but rewarding process of business formation. As you embark on your own business journey what better place to look for answers and advice than top business schools?
To help you improve your business acumen, we've scoured required reading lists, online newsletters, and alumni-written books, from Wharton, Harvard and others to find what they're recommending to their students and alumni. While we can't promise you an MBA, these books might just be the next best thing.
Best books to inspire innovation
1) The Unicorn's Shadow
With a no-fluff, science-backed approach to launching a successful business, this book details how entrepreneurs can tilt the odds of success in their favor. Even better, it does it all in under 100 pages.
Author: Ethan Mollick
Ethan Mollick Key Takeaway : There's a data-backed method behind the madness of massive entrepreneurial success. As a burgeoning business owner, it's important to realize the inner workings of successful startups
: There's a data-backed method behind the madness of massive entrepreneurial success. As a burgeoning business owner, it's important to realize the inner workings of successful startups Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2020
2020 Page Count: 116 pages
2) Rework
Written by the founders of project management platform Basecamp, this actionable guide can help overzealous founders avoid burnout. Learn how to start a business without bringing on outside investors, why it's smart not to obsess over your competitors, and why you don't need to sacrifice your personal life to thrive professionally.
Authors: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson Key Takeaway: You can build a solid foundation for a start-up and grow exposure without driving yourself crazy by following the counterintuitive, thought-provoking ideas in this book.
You can build a solid foundation for a start-up and grow exposure without driving yourself crazy by following the counterintuitive, thought-provoking ideas in this book. Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2010
2010 Page Count: 288 pages
3) Blue Ocean Shift: Beyond Competing
Anyone starting a business needs to understand the competition first. As a follow-up to their first successful book, Blue Ocean Strategy, this book explains their actionable five-step process to helping your business stand out in a crowded market.
Authors: W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne Key Takeaway: Any founder can switch from an existing crowded market into a clear new market space.
Any founder can switch from an existing crowded market into a clear new market space. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2017
2017 Page Count: 336 pages
4) The Creator's Code
Creators are not born with an innate ability to conceive and build $100 million enterprises — they work at it. In-depth interviews with moguls behind companies like Yelp, Zipcar, and Chobani, and process analyses of their companies offer fodder for education and inspiration.
Author: Amy Wilkinson
Amy Wilkinson Key Takeaway: The six main skills that successful creators and entrepreneurs possess aren't rare gifts or talents, but rather can be learned and practiced like anything else.
The six main skills that successful creators and entrepreneurs possess aren't rare gifts or talents, but rather can be learned and practiced like anything else. Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2016
2016 Page Count: 240 pages
Best books to grow and scale your business
5) The Lean Startup
This no-nonsense guide to making sure your new business doesn't fail shows an efficient way of changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. The author is the founder of the Lean Startup theory, which has helped thousands of business owners over the years.
Author: Eric Ries
Eric Ries Key Takeaway: It's a tough pill to swallow, but most startups fail. Thankfully, there are some golden rules outlined in this book that you can follow to avoid the preventable mishaps that often lead to a new company's demise.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but most startups fail. Thankfully, there are some golden rules outlined in this book that you can follow to avoid the preventable mishaps that often lead to a new company's demise. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2011
2011 Page Count: 336 pages
6) The Money of Invention
Burgeoning business owners can learn about navigating the relationship between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists so they can build a business that actually makes them money. Dig into the pros, cons, and limitations facing founders and VC firms, and find out which kind of funding matches your business idea.
Authors: Paul A. Gompers and Josh Lerner
Paul A. Gompers and Josh Lerner Key Takeaway: Learn how to understand the limitations and challenges of raising capital as an entrepreneur. Level-set your expectations and stay one step ahead to keep your finances in check.
Learn how to understand the limitations and challenges of raising capital as an entrepreneur. Level-set your expectations and stay one step ahead to keep your finances in check. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2001
2001 Page Count: 320 pages
7) Scaling Up Excellence
Scaling is more that a buzz word, it's essential to getting funding and success. Learn best practices for successfully scaling a company without compromising the character and key aspects of the original, small organization's roots.
Authors: Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao
Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao Key Takeaway: Whether or not you know and when and how to scale will either be the success or the demise of many founders' new businesses.
Whether or not you know and when and how to scale will either be the success or the demise of many founders' new businesses. Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2014
2014 Page Count: 368 pages
8) Zero to One
The realities of scaling a business and the unpredictable nature of starting one go hand in hand in this examination of entrepreneurship. In the words of the authors: “The paradox of teaching entrepreneurship is that such a formula necessarily cannot exist; because every innovation is new and unique, no authority can prescribe in concrete terms how to be innovative."
Authors: Peter Thiel and Blake Masters
Peter Thiel and Blake Masters Key Takeaway: Learn how to open new business frontiers by creating novel products and services that fulfill societal needs without relying on following one formula for success.
Learn how to open new business frontiers by creating novel products and services that fulfill societal needs without relying on following one formula for success. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2014
2014 Page Count: 224 pages
Best books to improve team management
9) True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership
In this ultimate guide to becoming a business leader, the author provides solid advice regardless of your situation. Learn to create your own personal leadership development plan and build a successful team to support you.
Authors: Bill George and Peter Sims
Bill George and Peter Sims Key Takeaway: Knowing your authentic values and defining your leadership principles will allow you to face any difficult decision as a business owner with grace.
Knowing your authentic values and defining your leadership principles will allow you to face any difficult decision as a business owner with grace. Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2007
2007 Page Count: 251 pages
10) Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most
Pearls of wisdom in this book will help leaders build confidence in communication. Get tips for navigating tricky topics without becoming defensive or divisive.
Authors: Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen Key Takeaway: Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable is key when you're starting a business. As an entrepreneur, dealing with confrontation needs to become second nature.
Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable is key when you're starting a business. As an entrepreneur, dealing with confrontation needs to become second nature. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2010
2010 Page Count: 352 pages
11) Talent on Demand: Managing Talent in an Age of Uncertainty
Building and scaling a talented team that sticks around is one of the toughest challenges when starting a business. And many time tried talent management practices have lost relevance in the digital age. Learn what it takes to build a top notch talent pool with new practices that have been proven to work.
Author: Peter Cappelli
Peter Cappelli Key Takeaway: Learn how to navigate talent management as a business leader who is trying to cultivate a truly innovative, loyal team while being conscious of cost.
Learn how to navigate talent management as a business leader who is trying to cultivate a truly innovative, loyal team while being conscious of cost. Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2008
2008 Page Count: 288 pages
12) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Extremely well-researched and captivating, this book explores the psychology of grit and how it applies to various aspects of life, especially the business world.
Author: Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth Key Takeaway: Consistency and determination sustained over time are much more powerful when starting a business than a feverish obsession with success that burns out quickly.
Consistency and determination sustained over time are much more powerful when starting a business than a feverish obsession with success that burns out quickly. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2016
2016 Page Count: 368 pages
Best books to master strategy and problem solving
13) See Sooner, Act Faster
Staying ahead of the competition has a lot to do with anticipating and proactively solving problems. This book provides frameworks for actually staying ahead of competitors, with proven examples from Fortune 500 companies who use the same strategies.
Authors: George S. Day and Paul J. H. Schoemaker
George S. Day and Paul J. H. Schoemaker Key Takeaway: In a fast-paced digital business world, being hypervigilant is a must. Learning the thought processes required to stay a few steps ahead as a business owner will protect your business and help you thrive.
In a fast-paced digital business world, being hypervigilant is a must. Learning the thought processes required to stay a few steps ahead as a business owner will protect your business and help you thrive. Amazon Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2019
2019 Page Count: 208 pages
14) Go Long: Why Long-Term Thinking Is Your Best Short-term Strategy
In a world obsessed with quick wins, overnight successes, and instant gratification, the data-backed insights and examples in this book prove long-term strategies always pay off in the end.
Authors: By Dennis Carey, Brian Dumaine, Michael Useem, and Rodney Zemmel
By Dennis Carey, Brian Dumaine, Michael Useem, and Rodney Zemmel Key Takeaway: Building and/or leading a business that expands consistently year over year is the result of a strong commitment to a specific type of long-term mentality.
Building and/or leading a business that expands consistently year over year is the result of a strong commitment to a specific type of long-term mentality. Amazon Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2018
2018 Page Count: 119 pages
15) Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't
To launch a radical restructuring and thrive in the aftermath business leaders need to be smart and strategic. Get a crash course in management strategy and practices that have been proven to work.
Author: Jim Collins
Jim Collins Key Takeaway: As a business owner and team leader, try to strike a balance between a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship to empower your company.
As a business owner and team leader, try to strike a balance between a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship to empower your company. Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2001
2001 Page Count: 400 pages
16) Tools of Titans
Any business owner understands there are only so many hours in the day and every minute is precious, and this book provides the tools to make the most of your time. In the words of entrepreneur author Tim Ferris: “I've used dozens of the tactics and philosophies in high-stakes negotiations, high-risk environments, or large business dealings. The lessons have made me millions of dollars and saved me years of wasted effort and frustration."
Author: Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss Key Takeaway: To truly succeed as a business owner, you need to optimize as many areas of your life as possible — the compilation of tactics, routines, and habits of world-class performers found in this book will help you reach your full potential.
To truly succeed as a business owner, you need to optimize as many areas of your life as possible — the compilation of tactics, routines, and habits of world-class performers found in this book will help you reach your full potential. Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2016
2016 Page Count: 736 pages
17) Crushing It!
Looking for advice on navigating the world of branding, marketing, digital content creation, and social media? Get the guidance you're looking for, without a sugar coating.
Author: Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk Key Takeaway: Amplify your personal brand in addition to your business's brand identity. Start following tactical advice on how to gain more organic visibility as an entrepreneur.
Amplify your personal brand in addition to your business's brand identity. Start following tactical advice on how to gain more organic visibility as an entrepreneur. Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2018
2018 Page Count: 288 pages
18) Everything is Figureoutable
Get actionable tips for accomplishing your wildest dreams as an entrepreneur. Marie Forleo gives tips and advice for developing a forward-thinking, solution-oriented mindset in this uplifting book.
Author: Marie Forleo
Marie Forleo Key Takeaway: To succeed in business as an entrepreneur, you need a ferocious commitment to self-accountability and problem-solving.
To succeed in business as an entrepreneur, you need a ferocious commitment to self-accountability and problem-solving. Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2019
2019 Page Count: 304 pages
19) The Underdog Advantage
Could being the underdog actually be a superpower? Find out how to use underdog status to sneak up on the competition and learn to tap your unbridled potential.
Author: Dean Graziosi
Dean Graziosi Key Takeaway: Being an underdog as a new business owner is actually an advantage — it means you don't have to prove your worth to anyone but yourself and your team.
Being an underdog as a new business owner is actually an advantage — it means you don't have to prove your worth to anyone but yourself and your team. Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars Year of Publication: 2019
2019 Page Count: 288 pages
Check out the infographic below for a quick visual reference guide to these books, conveniently categorized by the aspect of starting a business they're most helpful for.
10 Business Process Management Books Worth Reading
Our editors have compiled this directory of the best business process management books to read based on Amazon user reviews, ratings, and the ability to add business value. Solutions Review participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to look at an old-school approach to advance technologically. Business Process Management (BPM) systems are essential for your organization, but you should first ensure that it’s right for you and your team. While many free resources are available online (such as Solutions Review’s best practices articles, solutions directories, and buyer’s guides), doing things the old-fashioned way can be beneficial. Solutions Review has taken the liberty of researching you, having reviewed many books. We’ve carefully selected the best business process management books based on relevance, popularity, review ratings, publish date, and ability to add business value. Here they are in no particular order.
The Best Business Process Management Books
OUR TAKE: This book by Tony Benedict, Mathias Kirchmer, Marc Scarsig, Pater Frantz, Raju Saxena, Dan Morris, and Jack Hilty provides readers with links and references to other sources in the broader BPM Common Body of Knowledge.
“This Guide to the BPM Common Body of Knowledge is an essential reference for anyone who practices Business Process Management. The primary purpose of this guide is to provide BPM practitioners with the fundamental Knowledge Areas, skills, and competencies that are generally recognized and accepted as common best practices. The Guide to the BPM CBOK provides a general overview of each Knowledge Area and discusses the skills and competencies necessary to become proficient in the practice of BPM.”
OUR TAKE: John Jeston has updated his fourth edition of this text to include new and revised case studies, as well as an analysis of the risks and benefits of robotic automation and cognitive computing. This title is an excellent fit for senior business executives and students alike.
“Business Process Management, a huge bestseller, has helped thousands of leaders and BPM practitioners successfully implement BPM projects, enabling them to add measurable value to their organizations. The book’s runaway success can be attributed partly to its overview of all major useful frameworks (such as LEAN and Six Sigma) without over-investment in one over another and a unique emphasis on BPM’s interrelationship with organizational management, culture, and leadership. Its common-sense approach teaches how BPM must be well-integrated across an entire business if it’s to be successful: augmented and aligned with other management disciplines.”
OUR TAKE: Theodore Panagacos is a former Management Consultant with Booz & Company. He has over 10 years of experience helping organizations design and implements business models that improve customer service.
“In this step by step guide, former Management Consultant and change management expert Theodore Panagacos walks you through the entire discipline of Business Process Management. Learn how to fast-track your organization’s strategy to govern processes, create a process culture, and measure business performance. Best of all, this crystal-clear, convenient-sized book can be put to work in your organization immediately!”
OUR TAKE: This second edition textbook from Marlon Dumas, Marcello La Rosa, Jan Mendling, and Hajo A. Reijers results from the authors’ combined experience in the BPM space at the undergraduate and graduate levels and in the context of professional training. The book takes a step-by-step approach to the subject, making it a good fit for students.
“This textbook covers the entire Business Process Management (BPM) lifecycle, from process identification to process monitoring, covering along the way process modeling, analysis, redesign, and automation. Concepts, methods, and tools from business management, computer science, and industrial engineering are blended into one comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. The presentation is illustrated using the BPMN industry standard defined by the Object Management Group and widely endorsed by practitioners and vendors worldwide.”
OUR TAKE: Susan Page’s book provides examples, checklists, quizzes, software tools, and formulas to guide readers through each step. Page also explores map processes, internal controls, and how to improve processes and implement them.
“Written by an experienced process analyst, The Power of Business Process Improvement is the resource you need to find a simple, bottom-line approach to process improvement work. By implementing its proven 10-step method, you will be able to eliminate duplication and bureaucracy, control costs, establish internal controls to reduce human error, and test and rework the process before introducing it to your team. Whether you are new to BPI or a seasoned pro, this user-friendly how-to guide is your solution to turning your business into the well-oiled machine you know it can be.”
OUR TAKE: Paula Berman offers step-by-step instructions explaining how to take a systematic approach to process management, design key processes, document procedures, and revise existing processes when possible.
“Too few standard procedures within an organization and inefficiency will inevitably ensue. But too many, and creativity is stifled. This catch-22 is enough to make heads spin! How does one settle on the perfect mix that will streamline activities and create smooth workflows? Successful Business Process Management has done all the homework for you. It provides a concise, accessible overview on the training and tools available for process improvement that fills that gap of being not too rigid nor too blasé.”
OUR TAKE: This fourth edition text by Paul Harmon emphasizes the impact of disruptive technology in business and the need for agile transformation. The book also provides a best practice methodology, which can be tailored to an organization’s specific needs.
“Business Process Change: A Business Process Management Guide for Managers and Process Professionals, Fourth Edition, provides a balanced view of the field of business process change. Bestselling author and renowned expert in the field Paul Harmon offers concepts, methods, cases for all aspects, and phases of successful business process improvement. Students and professionals alike will benefit from the comprehensive coverage and customizable, integrated approach to general business process management that focuses on improving efficiency and productivity.”
OUR TAKE: Mathias Kirchmer uses this book to present readers with value-driven business process management as a successful discipline to transform strategy into technology-based execution. Additionally, it explores how to achieve high performance in a digital business environment.
“Static business models do not keep pace with the dynamic changes in our digital world. Organizations need a management approach that fits this environment and capitalizes on its opportunities while minimizing the related risks. They need to execute their business strategy fast and reliably. In effect, they have to know how and when to modify or enhance their business processes, which processes are the best candidates for intervention, and how to move rapidly from strategy to execution.”
OUR TAKE: Ahmed Fawzy enables readers to learn how to avoid project failures, how to become a business analyst, how to realize business value, and how to model current processes and reassess them if needed.
“ITIL Expert, Ahmed Fawzy, presents a remarkable approach to improve services. Based on 14 years of experience building services for various organizations of different sizes across all sectors, Ahmed answers the question: How do I align business analysis to generate business benefits?”
OUR TAKE: Nigel Slack and Alistair Jones have written multiple books together, including Operations Strategy, Operations Management, and, Essentials of Operations Management. Both have many years of experience in the process management field.
“Written by best-selling authors in their field, the fifth edition of Operations and Process Management inspires a critical and applied mastery of the core principles and processes which are fundamental to successfully managing business operations. Approaching the subject from a managerial perspective, this innovative text provides clear and concise coverage of the nature, principles, and practice of operations and process management.”
NOW READ: The Best Process Automation Titles for Your Bookshelf