BOOK SPECIAL.... 25 of the Most Inspiring Books Everyone Should Read ….10 TO 14

25 of the Most 

Inspiring 

Books 

Everyone 

Should Read 

….10 TO 14

10. Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer

"Danny Meyer is the restaurateur behind Gramercy Tavern, the Modern, and even Shake Shack. He shares how his focus on generous hospitality has led to his restaurants' resonating with customers. I find the intense focus on the details of the diners' experiences and the great respect and care shown to make their dining special incredibly applicable to businesses beyond restaurants. People want to be taken care of and remembered by the companies they do business with. Danny shares how he developed this philosophy and how he implements it across his various restaurants, from fine dining to fast casual burgers."

--Caleb Elston, co-founder and CEO of Delighted, which uses the Net Promoter System to help companies measure the voice of the customer over time

11. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

"Paulo Coelho leverages the myth, one of my favorite genres, to provide inspiration for all readers, but perhaps entrepreneurs will be affected especially. First, it challenges you to have a big vision, but teaches that creating and pursuing it is hard work and likely to take you on a very long journey. Second, you must learn by observing nature. To me, observation is the most important skill of an innovator. And the observation of nature is central to technological change throughout the ages. A 2016 robotics project at UC Berkeley mimicking cockroaches is just one modern example. Furthermore, understanding human nature is essential to being a good manager. In all his writings, Coelho reinforces that true inspiration comes from a quiet and calm place. Clearly, this is not possible if we never allow our minds and bodies some time away from emails, texts, and busy work. Finally, the book comes full circle, reminding us that the power to achieve our dreams is within us and was within us from the beginning. Think of it as a variation on the Star Wars theme: 'The Force is within you.'"

--Stephanie Newby, CEO of Crimson Hexagon, which provides business intelligence from social media analysis

12. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu Goldratt

"This is a story about a business executive dealing with serious challenges at work and in his personal life. It is a good read as a novel, but more interestingly, it is a great business and leadership book. Its theme is that, in life and in business, you should constantly ask 'What's the goal?' before taking any action when faced with a task or challenge. If you establish clear goals and a method of measurement, your action plan is more likely to line up with achieving the goal. The character, Herbie, becomes a metaphor for how to identify constraints and define processes based on these constraints."

--Jim Dicso, CEO of SundaySky, which provides personalized video engagement for brands

13. When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man by Jerry Weintraub

"Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub shares fascinating firsthand stories and useful advice about how to get what you want in life. His book is based on his decades of experience producing music and movies for Elvis, Sinatra, George Clooney, and more. It's the 21st-century version of How to Win Friends and Influence People. And it's a fun read."

--Karl Sakas, agency consultant and author of Made to Lead

14. Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim

"How to leverage, how to differentiate, and how to hedge--this classic business book inspires me on how to compete in the overcrowded optical and eyewear business. In today's fast-changing environment, what used to be your strength and competitiveness can be your biggest obstacle in growth and change. One must constantly question, learn, and keep an open mind."

--Jenny Ma, founder and CEO of eyewear brands Brooklyn Spectacles and Luxeye Optical