BookCLUB celebrates its 3rd anniversary with top three business books voted by local business owners
After launching in August 2019, a local book club that welcomes business owners from across the region is celebrating its third birthday – having read a whopping 36 books over that time. Since launching, the club has enjoyed monthly meetings to discuss an agreed title, whilst having the opportunity to network, grow friendships and even have a friendly debate or two! Launching in August 2019 and continuing throughout the pandemic, the monthly event has helped business owners gain the skills and confidence to excel in their businesses over the last three years.
Hosted by The Antelope Inn at Lighthorne on the last Thursday of every month, BookCLUB – run by business growth specialists ActionCOACH Warwick – is an opportunity for like-minded business owners to meet, share experiences, have a great meal and receive group coaching to ensure lessons learned from the books can be implemented into their business.
“As a business owner, passion comes from knowing your stuff, with that expertise stemming from experience and education. Research indicates that to become an expert in a specific field, you need to read 50 books a year – which translates to roughly one a week,” says Kevin Riley, Business Growth Specialist at ActionCOACH Warwick and founder of BookCLUB. “Our book club is a fun and relaxed environment for everyone – from business owners wanting to further their success to start-up owners seeking their first triumph – to enjoy professional development, reading at least one book a month. The aim is to help business owners thrive and generate a positive impact on communities and employees, creating a ripple effect of success around our local area.”
To celebrate all they have learnt over the last three years, and just in time for Read a Book Day on 6th September, below are the top three business books as voted by BookCLUB members from the 36 books they have read since the club launched.
1. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike (2016)
Described as candid and gutsy, Phil Knight’s memoir tops the list for helping members to recognise the importance of determination and learn the most efficient business mindset. The man behind the swoosh shares the start-up of Nike in the company’s early days, and how it evolved to be one of the world’s most iconic and profitable brands. After selling shoes from the boot of his car for a year, Knight had grossed $8,000. Today, the company’s annual sales top $30 billion. Through adopting a growth mindset and ensuring he had a team of ‘brothers’ with a shared mission and belief in the brand, Phil Knight built a business that changed everything. BookCLUB members value this memoir for its rich insight, wisdom and relatable daunting setbacks. It acts as a toolkit on how to change the business world, from even the humblest beginnings.
2. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth (2005)
With a direct focus on how the right mindset can help you grow financially, this book provides an insight into how you can achieve financial success. T. Harv Eker, a business and lifestyle coach from North America, uses breakthrough techniques to explain your ‘money blueprint’ – your inner mental attitude towards money based on childhood influences – and how you can revise it to transform your business and its financial gain. Armed with insight and knowledge, this book has improved BookCLUB members’ attitude towards money, and the measures they take to achieve financial rewards.
3. The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field (2012)
In this book, Mike Michalowicz, an American entrepreneur, explains how it is better to work smarter than harder. Nearly 80 percent of businesses fail within the first five years as business owners enter a vicious cycle that leaves them exhausted and frustrated with their lack of success. For his strategy, Michalowicz turns to pumpkin farmers. Although an unlikely source of inspiration, he found that successful farmers focus on a structure that works including planting the right seeds, weeding out unhelpful influences and nurturing the winners – working smarter, not harder to grow the best pumpkins. BookCLUB members have benefitted from learning to utilise this unconventional yet simple approach, putting in the same amount of effort for a higher reward value.
The publications chosen out of the range of inspiring and valuable books discussed over the last three years act as a comprehensive guide for any business owner looking to expand their brand and improve their mindset. To find out how you can attend your first BookCLUB for free, please visit https://warwick.actioncoach.co.uk/ for more details.