As someone passionate about marketing, strategy, and all things business, I enjoy being asked for book recommendations. There are so many great options out there, but a few truly stand out. I wanted to share three that have influenced my thinking and approach, along with two honorable mentions that provide unique insights into building plans and managing different cultures.
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your marketing game, master business fundamentals, or find fresh inspiration for marketing campaigns, these are books I believe are worth your time.
1. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins
This is a classic for a reason.
Jim Collins dives deep into what separates great companies from average ones. His research-based insights, such as the importance of Level 5 Leadership and the Hedgehog Concept (similar to creating your IKIGAI—but that’s for another list of book recommendations), have stuck with me for years. It’s not just about big business—it’s about building something meaningful and sustainable with focus and discipline, no matter the size of your organization or the challenge ahead. Side note: this sentence reminds me of Jocko WIllink’s Discipline Equals Freedom book.
“By definition, it is not possible for everyone to be above average. But I am asserting that those who strive to turn good into great find the process no more painful or exhausting than those who settle for just letting things wallow along in mind-numbing mediocrity” - p. 208
2. Eat Your Greens by Wiemer SnijderS
Marketing can sometimes feel overwhelming with all the flashy trends, tools, and opinions out there (no disrespect).
Eat Your Greens by Wiemer Snijders cuts through the noise. It’s a collection of essays from top marketing thinkers, supported by evidence and real-world experience. It has taught me a lot about focusing on what works, iterating variables for new results, and ignoring the hype. (Clubhouse, anyone?)
“the single most important rule of advertising is that it must be noticed. This rule does not change with the times. It will always be true that if an ad doesn’t get noticed, it is pointless.” - p.105
3. The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
I’m a big believer in self-education and an absolute sucker for mnemonics (Eselsbrücke for the Germans out there).
This book proves you don’t need a formal MBA to understand business. Kaufman breaks down complex concepts like marketing, finance, and systems into clear, actionable ideas. For anyone looking to level up their business knowledge without the hefty price tag, this is a gem I highly recommend.
“Improve by 1% a day, and in just 70 days, you’re twice as good.”
Honorable Mentions
- How Not to Plan by Les Binet and Sarah Carter: A practical, no-nonsense guide for marketers and strategists. It’s full of checklists and tips that make planning feel manageable. I almost highlighted every page in this book.
- The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: Perfect for anyone working across cultures. Meyer’s insights into communication and collaboration have been a game-changer for me when working with international teams. For those who don’t want to read a culture management book, I recommend checking out the Country Comparison Tool, based on Geert Hofstede’s model of six key dimensions for comparing national cultures. Btw. Erin also co-authored No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention with Reed Hastings.
These books have shaped how I think and solve problems. I hope they do the same for you. If you’ve read any of these—or have recommendations of your own—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Let’s keep learning, growing, and sharing, together.
