Top 5 Business Books to Read in 2009

Those who want to stay successful in business understand the need to stay updated and constantly push themselves in new directions. Every year there are new books on business and marketing published. Some of these offer great new perspectives, while others are just rehashes of older classics.

Sometimes older books can be just as valuable as new books. Just think of classics such as Dale Carnegie or Napoleon Hill. These books are timeless in that the advice they offer is about human interaction and human nature, which hasn't changed much for the last 10,000 years when we discount changes in technology. This year there are 5 books which are must reads for any serious business man or women:

1. Good to Great
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins is an impressive book on corporate culture, that is based on rigorous research of over 1400 companies and what made them successful or not. It includes learning from top CEO's of American businesses and other notable people from the business world. The learning taken from this book, through theory and examples, is that above technology and other external factors, a strong, disciplined corporate culture is the key to success.

2. Positioning:
The Battle for Your Mind: A marketing classic form 1981, which shook the world with its direct approach to sales and marketing. Now available in a new edition, this book describes why it is so important to position your brand in the consumers mind and how to do it.

3. The Tipping Point:
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell, discusses how events become trends and go onto global phenomena. A very eye opening book for all who want to get the word out. This book is particularly fascinating to read, considering the exponential growth in web 2.0 and social groups online. Gladwell argues that trends are created, not just random. It is about knowing exactly who to tell exactly what to.

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
Another true classic from Stephen Coldwell deals with everything from raising your children to becoming successful in business, by incorporating 7 habits of success into your life. A bestseller for many years, this book is still as relevant now as it was when it was first published.

5. The World Is Flat 3.0:
A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century: Thomas Friedman could be called a futurist, that is he makes predictions of what is to come. In this book though he focuses more on what wonders have already happened and makes us reflect upon their significance. In that respect, he actually teaches understanding of the present to prepare for the future. The title of the book is a reference to globalization and breaking down political, economic and cultural barriers. A truly inspiring read on how we went from leaflet printing to spread the news of the world to online social groups that transcend borders, age and cultures. If we are to understand the future of globalization this is a great starting point.