10 Best Management Books for MBA Students
Reading habit is something which everyone must cultivate and hold on to. For MBA aspirants, reading quality management books is crucial as it helps them build managerial perspective and gain insight into critical areas like marketing, communications, finance, and technology. Books are also full of life-changing lessons and wisdom and are a joy to read.
But with so many management books flooding the market, how do you decide which ones to choose? We have curated an MBA reading list that will help you hone your professional skills and advance your career. It covers many of the classics as well as some of the bestsellers recommended by top business professionals. Here are the top 10 must-read books for every MBA student:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A masterpiece and a bestseller by the American author Dale Carnegie. It comprises six significant sections that target topics like ways to make people like you, handle people, deal with people, become a leader, and so on. The book also teaches the importance of communication at work, achieving enlightened interpersonal effectiveness, gaining holistic perspectives, and expressing ideas in ways that are heard. It can be a life-changing book for any reader and can completely change their perspective on life.
A Never-Before World: Tracking the Evolution of Consumer India by Rama Bijapurkar
Rama Bijapurkar is a well-known management consultant and market researcher. In her book, she brilliantly points out that most marketers tend to focus on the wealthy section of society. However, if companies make investments to meet the demands of the rest of the population, they can make good profits. She provides examples of unique products that can meet the needs of the Indian middle class, who constitute a majority. It is an informative and delightful read from beginning to end.
Connect the Dots by Rashmi Bansal
This fantastic book by entrepreneur Rashmi Bansal explores the life of 20 non-MBA entrepreneurs and their journeys. The book has three sections- Jugaad (Resolve), Zubaan (Strong Mindset), and Junoon (Passion), in which the author categorizes these life stories. If you want to tread the path of being an entrepreneur, this book will keep you hooked till the very end.
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
It is one of the best baseballs and management books in the market. The book, which has also been adapted as a film, provides valuable advice for people involved in selecting and retaining employees. It also sheds light on building a more robust and more imaginative winning team and eliminating mistakes.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
In his eye-opening book, Malcolm Gladwell examined the various elements that are responsible for the success of high achievers. He tries to explain what makes these achievers different from the rest of the population. He talks about the importance of luck, practice, practical intelligence, cultural issues, rational decision making, etc., in determining an individual’s success rate. Gladwell also talks about a ‘10,000-Hour Rule’ and claims that the key to success is practicing a specific task for 10,000 hours.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Jim Collins, an author, and lecturer on topics like business management, expansion, and growth, outlines how one can turn a good or an average company into a great company. He provides a detailed model for the same and says that three major elements can be considered the building blocks of a great company. These elements are – Disciplined People, Disciplined Thought, and Disciplined Action. The book also vividly talks about topics such as leadership, decision making, practical considerations, etc.
The World is Flat: The Globalized World in The Twenty-First Century by Thomas Friedman
Friedman argues that technological innovation, foreign investment, capital flows, and international trade have transformed the globe. It has broken down national borders, leading to a struggle between nationalism and the forces of economic integration. The book’s title is a metaphor for viewing the world as a level playing field in commerce. Wherein all competitors have an equal opportunity. It is a fantastic read and has a great fan following.
Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Zero to One is an insight into the mind of Peter Thiel, who is an American entrepreneur and the founder of PayPal. The book will teach budding entrepreneurs how to approach business, build the future of their start-ups, and shape the future of the world in the process. It is a must-read book for future business leaders and entrepreneurs.
The Fortune at The Bottom of The Pyramid by C.K. Prahalad
C.K. Prahalad, an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, talks about the fast-emerging market at the bottom of the pyramid. It comprises the poorest section of the population that has untapped buying power. Prahalad says that business houses and companies should see this section of the population as a vast market opportunity. And companies should try their level best to serve their unique needs and at the same time bring about innovative and unconventional methods that reduce poverty and improve their living condition.
Beyond the MBA Hype: A Guide to Understanding and Surviving B-Schools by Sameer Kamat
Sameer Kamat, an MBA graduate from the University of Cambridge, talks about the non-glamorous side. It will help not only the MBA aspirants but also those who are looking for a career shift.
Kamat presents a very realistic picture of MBA and life post MBA. He proves that MBA is hype, but the trick is not to get carried away by the hype but to make an informed and wise decision. There is also a handy career guide describing the primary professions that MBA students can pursue that is very helpful for begainners.
We hope that this list of top 10 books that every MBA aspirant must-read will help you gain a better insight into what it takes to develop a personality suited to join the corporate world. Along with that, this reading list will also develop the requisite thinking and analytical skills before you venture into the real corporate world.
