Businesses are not built on those fancy board meetings, turnovers and watching the stock market trends. Leadership is an important skill that induces motivation for the companies and the employees to function better. Rather than who leads the ship, what matters is how it is being lead. This requires special skill sets that come with the cultivation of the intellect.

Wondering why all this was said?

Well we want to drive-in a simple point - The importance of being a reader in the business world.

In today's demanding work culture, one doesn't have time hands-on to devote to all aspects of one's personality nor absorb new ideas to nurture the mind. Juggling between workplace and home is enough multitasking for many. Amidst this reading books at the end of a tiring day, is a pretty mundane activity for adults; let alone the kids who have microscopic attention spans. Yet what saves the day for writers is the progressive nature of technology; be it in the form of social media interaction, eBooks or informative websites. Learning is not necessarily picking up of a hardcover text anymore, one has other viable alternatives to choose from.

In the words of former President of USA Harry S.Truman, "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers."

Coming onto Businesses, an efficient enterprise works on the combined formula of a learned leader at the top as well as how the actual ground level operations happen. This is exactly what's called a holistic balance of Mind and Matter. The 'Top Man' needs to be acquainted with the contemporary happenings of the industry as well as the world at large so as to cater to the changing taste of the consumers. Innovation doesn't always happen the Newtonian way, it a concerted effort.

Nearly 3,000 business books get published every year but the ones that become bestsellers have an absolutely appealing idea that's workable across time and space.

We bring for you Ivana Taylor's (the book editor of SmallBizTrends and the publisher of DIYMarketers) list of the top business books of 2012. This will surely get you going as to how to polish those rusty business skills.


CRAFTMANSHIP:

Just like a potter gives shape to an earthenware skillfully, with patience and dedication, the real craft of a entrepreneur lies in how the business idea is nourished to serve long term purposes. The two books that have stood out in defining the concept of having a crafty business idea are no doubt Cal Newport's "So Good they Can't Ignore You" and "Practice Perfect" by Dough Lemov, Aerica Woolway and Katie Yezzi. The books weave together ideas of product management through a focused training and skill development.

John Jantsch's "Commitment Engine" follows closely defining the core concept of "what" should business ventures be committed to. His suggestive marketing strategies, supported by real life inspirational stories, drives home the point with much flair.


BUSINESS PLAN:

Leadership is really tested when it comes to charting out a successful plan of action and more so its implementation.

"Laws of Subtraction" by Matthew May has a different take on how to chart out a succesful business from smaller ideas that have to be moulded rightly to achieve bigger results. Learning from mistakes is what every Business person does. This book just tells you how.

"Pumpkin Plan" by Mike Michalowicz is the book for Small Businesses this season. The overarching shade of humour while explaining how to build and run a successful business, keeps you glued till the last page.


TECHNOLOGY:

Technology is a must for businesses - Big and Small alike, to get the much needed market visibility.

"Digital Dollar" by Joe Wozny is superb read for those who feels technology is a high end mess. Its simple in its wordplay, an almost guide for those who are scared to ask the difficult question of "how does it work".

With Apple ushering its latest iPhones, come this June, the rage surrounding the technology needs no explanation. "iPhone Millionaire" by Michael Rosenblum is just the DIY Marketers book of the year. Its short-n-sweet style gets one all geared up to go grab that iPhone off the shelves and start practising the tips as soon as possible. 


MARKETING:

Gone are the days when hawkers and vendors shouted in pitch high tones to sell their wares nor does one have to read a hoarding to get an idea about what the merchants are offering. The world is a digital web now caught in the loop of social networking. Managing online reputations goes hand in hand with successfully creating the viability of one's brand.

Every businessperson is on a look out for connections to expand. "Successful LinkedIn Marketing: One Hour Per Day"  by Viveka von Rosen explicitly explains how to use LinkedIn "5 days per week, an hour a day, business plan that spans 23 weeks" .

"Brand Advocates" by Bob Fuggetta is an almost salutory book honoring those 'unknown entities' that indirectly help promote one's brand. They unpaid "invisible salespersons" who stay loyal to a product due to continued usage over long term so much so that the act keeps the businesses 'IN' business practically. The author acknowledges these brand advocates truly through his work.


So get set to grab these books and make your business a worthy enterprise.

Do share with us other interesting reads you have come accross. We would love to feature them on our blog. You can also share your personal reviews of the books. Do follow us on our Facebook page and Twitter or subscribe to our RSS feeds.