Reading: It's Good for Business

Business owners face stress and pressure to succeed every day. As a veterinary practice owner, you’re always looking for new ways to improve your business and have it stand out from the competition.

Reading books is among the many ways you can bring new knowledge and ideas to your practice table.

To quote Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!” It may not always be easy to find the time to read, but it surely will be time well spent.

Inc. magazine, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs thrive, ranked some of the most interesting and inspiring books for people who strive for greatness at work and in life. We’re sharing the love.

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“A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future” by Daniel H. Pink

Pink applies neuroscience to business in this book that explains the value of right-brain thinking in the workplace. The book is divided into six sections, which Pink calls the “six senses”: design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Understanding these essential human capabilities, says Pink, will enable professional success and personal fulfillment.

“The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies” by Chet Holmes

Holmes explores the world of sales and marketing in this book, showing readers how to turn their business into a sales machine with precision and technique. What if, he asks, you could get nine times more clients pouring into your business for the same marketing dollars you spend now? That’s a question every veterinary practice owner should seek to answer.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change” by Stephen Covey

In this classic, first published nearly 30 years ago, Covey discusses three imperatives needed to attain seven habits that will make you a successful entrepreneur. Independence, interdependence and continuous improvements are all stepping stones to achieving your goals. Veterinarians are the practice leaders, but you must also listen to your clients and your team in order to thrive.

“The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

This book addresses a question many of us would like answered: how can I make the best use of my time to increase productivity and maintain a good work-life balance? The answer, say the authors, lies in answering the question: “What’s my ONE thing?” If we answer this question, we can cut through the clutter to achieve better results in less time.

“Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service” by The Disney Institute

Disney has nailed all the secrets to outstanding customer service. The company is so good, in fact, that its strategies and tactics were covered at major veterinary conferences earlier this year. The advice provided in this book can make your practice’s customer service truly magical by whittling it down to an understandable formula with actionable ideas that can literally transform your practice.

“Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't” by Jim Collins

Collins groundbreaking book, which opens with the notion that “good is the enemy of great,” lists seven qualities that catapult businesses toward success. Collins identifies what companies like Wells Fargo, Walgreens and Abbott Laboratories did to convert “long-term mediocrity … into long-term superiority.” While he doesn’t cite any veterinary practices, his concepts can be used to shed light on every area of management and leadership in any business.

“The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are” by Brené Brown

Wholehearted living is the ultimate goal of life, according to Brown, an expert on shame, authenticity and belonging. Brown outlines how these raw emotions make up who we are as individuals and explores how we can use “courage, compassion and connection” to accept our imperfections and live a fuller life.

“A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness” by Gene Edwards

This Christain book explores how three biblical kings (David, Saul and Absalom) rose above pain and loss. Understanding the relationships among these three men provides great insight into leadership styles, forgiveness, and staying true to yourself.

“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown

Are you always stretched too thin? Do you find yourself extremely busy but not really productive? McKeown focuses on how to get more done, and done better, not by better managing our time but rather by focusing on the “vital few” things that should be done and ignoring the “trivial many” things that drag us down. In this way, he says, we can accomplish the most important tasks with more precision.