I'm just starting my small business (SaaS) and being a software engineer by nature I yet have a lot to learn about the business side (e.g. marketing, PR, customer service, branding etc.).<p>What blogs and books with the potential to have a noticeable impact on a small business' success do you recommend ?<p>PS: This is not about creating a "complete" list - time is scarce: quality over quantity!
I was in a similar position 4 years ago, before my first startup.<p>On reflection, the books I got the most out of that actually shaped my behaviour are...<p>THE PERSONAL MBA, JOSH KAUFMAN<p>Was blown away by this. Couldn't believe how much stuff I didn't know about. It covers everything you've asked about and more...<p>It's also written a bit like a Software Patterns/Recipes book, which I love.<p>I've read the MBA book about 5 times.<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Personal-MBA-World-Class-Business-Education/dp/0670919535" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Personal-MBA-World-Class-Business-Ed...</a><p>PITCH ANYTHING, OREN KLAFF<p>You'll hate reading it. It will make you cringe. It's uncomfortable.<p>But it changed my attitude to business, my products, and deals a LOT. Which is REALLY important.<p>Applying some of these techniques had amazing results in any dealings with 3rd parties (sales, partnerships, deals). That's because I'm a softie engineer, not a battle-hardened business man. I still read this before attending any significant meeting.<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Anything-Innovative-Presenting-Persuading/dp/0071752854" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Anything-Innovative-Presenting-P...</a><p>HOW TO BE THE LUCKIEST PERSON ALIVE, JAMES ALTUCHER<p>Covers everything in one way or another...<p>I keep coming back to the epic rule list in this book. I keep ignoring them in business, then learning the hard way that the list is right. He shares his failures and successes in a humerous way.<p>It's a real down-to-earth, eye opening book.<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461120705" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461120705</a><p>OTHER<p>I'm reading Lean Startup, and have read Made to Stick, Letting go of the words, Ignore Everybody, Spin Selling, and tons more. All good books, but the 3 above were the biggest impact for me on all levels.
You can't go wrong reading anything from Patrick McKenzie (www.kalzumeus.com)<p>Obvious starting points are <a href="http://www.kalzumeus.com/start-here-if-youre-new/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kalzumeus.com/start-here-if-youre-new/</a> and <a href="http://www.kalzumeus.com/greatest-hits/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kalzumeus.com/greatest-hits/</a><p>I'd definitely suggest signing up for his Email list too at the top of that site.
Two great books:
<a href="http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/book" rel="nofollow">http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/book</a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ocean_Strategy" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ocean_Strategy</a>
I found the Lean Startup by Eric Ries to be useful in helping me focus my efforts.<p>Also, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip and Dan Heath. This helped create more effective and compelling content. It's very high-level though.
Start Small Stay Small is packed with great advice: <a href="http://www.startupbook.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.startupbook.net/</a>