5 Bestselling Business Books

Only a few courses throughout veterinary school cover the fundamentals of running a successful veterinary practice. While that fact has slowly started to change as more and more veterinary colleges and universities add credits focused on practice management, many veterinarians still work tirelessly to balance being an expert in the field and overseeing a lucrative business.

In addition to continuing education courses and seminars, business-focused books offer a variety of tactics for tackling the corporate side of the profession and excelling in your career. Even when undivided attention cannot be given to words on a page, audio books make it possible to digest information while on the go.

Each of the five business books listed below was both published in 2017 and appeared on The New York Times’ best-seller list throughout the year. In addition to their published works, many of these authors are regularly quoted in business publications, appear on top-ranking podcasts — or host their own — and speak at conferences around the world.

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Though each author outlines his own approach, all strive to provide readers with the insight and tools needed to succeed in the fast-paced, technology driven world we live and work in.

1. “Tribe of Mentors” by Timothy Ferriss

“Tribe of Mentors” is a collection of advice, tactics and habits from more than 130 of the world's top performers — including entertainers, authors, athletes, entrepreneurs and marketers — as compiled by Timothy Ferriss. Ferriss’ other popular titles include “Tools of Titans,” which is also a compilation of advice from industry experts, and a series of “4-Hour” entrepreneurial books.

In addition to being a bestselling author, Ferriss is well-known for his business-centric podcast and for serving as an investor and adviser to a number of large technology companies, including Uber, Facebook, Twitter and Evernote.

2. “Principles” by Ray Dalio

In “Principles,” Ray Dalio shares what he’s learned over the course of his career, including creating an investment firm and being named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Though his company focuses on hedge funds, Dalio explains that his set of principles can be adopted by any person or organization looking to achieve success. In particular, he outlines some of the most effective ways to make decisions, approach challenges and build strong teams.

3. “The Four” by Scott Galloway

While many authors have covered what have been called “the four” — Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google — Scott Galloway’s approach is said to provide new insight into these companies’ successes.

The book explains how each enterprise manipulates the fundamental human emotional needs faster than their competitors can. By understanding Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google better, Galloway says anyone can then apply the lessons to their own businesses or careers.

4. “The Power of Moments” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

“The Power of Moments” analyzes the background and science behind the defining moments of life. According to authors Chip and Dan Heath, positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride and connection. Within the book, the two authors go on to explain how major moments in life don’t have to be left to chance, but can be created instead.

5. “Invisible Influence” by Jonah Berger

“Invisible Influence” challenges the belief that choices are driven by personal thoughts and preferences. Instead, Jonah Berger argues that other people’s behavior has a huge influence on everything people do at every moment of their lives. The book is designed to help readers better understand how social influence works so they can then change their own behaviors.

BONUS: This title was published in 2011, but repeatedly returned to the bestseller list throughout 2017.

“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

Written by a psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, Daniel Kahneman, “Thinking, Fast and Slow” explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System one is fast, intuitive and emotional, while system two is slower, more deliberative and more logical. The book offers insight into how choices are made in both business and personal life, and how to reap the benefit of slow thinking.