A Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from a top business school (B-School) and you think you are ready to call the shots?
Hold on… B-School curriculum doesn’t teach everything you need in real life. It just makes you corporate world-smart.
Here’s a list of books – some old and some new – that we think can make an effect. These books have been hailed as ‘a must-read’ by many across the world. These books are about entrepreneurs, about real-life corporate situation, about turning around businesses and so much more.
So, look beyond your MBA course and preparation materials.
Presenting ten must-read books for MBA students and aspirants:
1) Fortune At The Bottom Of The Pyramid – C.K. Prahlad
C.K. Prahlad was a game changer in every sense of the phrase. As a management guru he was unparalleled and nowhere does his vision come through with more raw power than in this book that can change how you view the consumer culture in India. The central idea that Prahlad presents here is to view the poorest as not a segment that falls outside the purview of consumerism but as critical to the way we manufacture and innovate products in the country.
2) Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
This book is apt for management students because it beautifully sums the importance of personal finance. The book presents tips and facts on how an entrepreneur can gain wealth through reliable measures. It also breaks down stereotypical notions about certain concepts like job security and how real entrepreneurs think.
3) How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
This book dives into one of the most fundamental aspects that keep the business going – communication. This is especially apt for management students who want to learn to become effective communicators. Being at the managerial level is all about communication. This book talks about how a manager or an employee can improve their interpersonal relationship and how to voice out their thoughts and opinion in an effective manner.
4) Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson
Steve Jobs innovation has shaped our world. It is important for MBA students to read this Pioneer’s autobiography. This book provides insights on how an individual can manage the personal vision and their personal relationships.
5) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
This book is ideal for new comers and entrants in the work place. This book essentially sums up of all the important qualities and feature that effective people have. It also gives insights as to how an individual or employee can improve their attitude and personality in the work place.
6) The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham
An important driving force in all businesses is finance. A business’s success and net worth are calculated in monetary terms. This book dives into the principles of ‘value investing’. As management students and employees, managing finances and reaping investments become extremely important aspects of reading up, learn and apply.
7) Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish – Rashmi Bansal
The best way to learn is through experiences. This book dives into the experiences of 25 graduates from IIM. The book covers their experience as employees and as entrepreneurs. This is a must read for all management students as it’ll serve as motivation and inspiration to take control and steer their career in accordance with their goals.
8) Connect The Dots – Rashmi Bansal
The book explores ‘the ardent lives of 20 true-life entrepreneurs without an MBA degree’ and how they chalked out their own success. The book has three sections – Jugaad, Junoon and Zubaan. The Jugaad section focus on entrepreneurs who have no formal business training, Junoon talks about people who have a strong desire to tread a particular idea, and the final section, Zubaan, delves deeper into lives of people who are creative but do not have a platform to showcase it.
9) Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell examines the factors that create successful people and high-achievers. He brings in Canadian ice hockey players, Bill Gates, The Beatles and other examples to examine ‘perceived intelligence’ and rational decision making. Gladwell talks about a ‘10,000-Hour Rule’ and claims that the key to success is about practicing a specific task for 10,000 hours.
10) The Walmart Effect – Charles Fishman
In this book, the author Fisherman describes the positive and negative effects of globalization by summarizing the work culture of Walmart – a leading retailing organization. He also talks about the techniques Walmart uses to keep its customers interested and gives us an in-depth on how it works by taking unprecedented interviews with former Walmart employees.
There many more books on management that MBA Aspirants can benefit from. This is the best source of procuring information about the job market and business environment. These experts will provide the knowledge you need to develop and evolve your business.
