10 Business & Product Strategy Books that will Shape your Career

While on my 1:1 with Acceldata ’s CEO Rohit Choudhary , we got to chatting about books that had a profound influence on us, and those that continue to be so relevant and appropriate in todays market landscape.

It got me to thinking what were my current top 10 books? As a Chief Product Officer, I have constantly revisited a set of books that have profoundly shaped my career. These books have not only provided me with invaluable insights but also continue to guide me through various challenges and situations. Over the years I have recommended the books below, and the list forms my current top 10. Though it’s tough to pick 10 since there are so many great books out there:

Note: I’ve linked the title to their Amazon buying pages for your convenience, I’m not getting any affiliation for the link 😀

1. Good to Great, by Jim Collins

• How it influenced me: This book taught me the importance of disciplined people, thought, and actions in transforming a company. The concept of the Level 5 Leader has been integral in shaping my leadership style – leading with humility and professional will.

• How I reference it today: I often revisit the Hedgehog Concept when making strategic decisions, ensuring that our company focuses on what we can be best at, deeply passionate about, and drives our economic engine.

2. Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

• How it influenced me: Ferrazzi and Raz’s insights on networking beyond transactional relationships changed my approach to building professional connections. It emphasized the value of generosity and authenticity in networking.

• How I reference it today: In building my network, I focus on long-term relationship building rather than short-term gains, creating a network that’s not just wide but also deep and meaningful.

3. Crossing the Chasm, by Geoffrey A. Moore

• How it influenced me: This book was a game-changer in understanding market dynamics for high-tech products. It helped me strategize effectively for marketing our products from early adopters to the majority.

• How I reference it today: I use its insights when planning product launches, ensuring we have strategies tailored for each segment of the market, especially when transitioning from early adopters to the pragmatic majority.

4. Zero to One, by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

• How it influenced me: Thiel’s philosophy on building unique businesses rather than copies instilled in me the importance of innovation and creating value from scratch.

• How I reference it today: I apply these principles in product development, focusing on creating novel solutions rather than iterating on existing ones, fostering a culture of true innovation.

5. The Infinite Game, by Simon Sinek

• How it influenced me: This book shifted my perspective to view business as an infinite game. It taught me the importance of a sustainable and adaptable strategy over just winning in the market.

• How I reference it today: I use this approach in long-term planning and fostering a resilient organizational culture that thrives amidst uncertainties.

6. The Phoenix Project, by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford

• How it influenced me: The novel gave me deep insights into IT and operations, emphasizing the integration of development and operations for efficiency.

• How I reference it today: I refer to this book when addressing workflow bottlenecks and improving interdepartmental cooperation, especially in DevOps.

7. Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown

• How it influenced me: Brown’s approach to leadership through vulnerability and resilience resonated with me deeply, teaching me the power of empathy in leadership.

• How I reference it today: I often revisit her principles when navigating tough conversations and fostering a culture of openness and trust within my team.

8. Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

• How it influenced me: This book opened my eyes to the concept of creating new market spaces (‘Blue Oceans’) rather than competing in overcrowded industries (‘Red Oceans’). It taught me the value of innovation in uncontested market spaces.

• How I reference it today: I apply the Blue Ocean Strategy when exploring new product ideas, focusing on creating unique value propositions that differentiate us from the competition.

9. The Innovator’s Dilemma, by Clayton M. Christensen

• How it influenced me: This book enlightened me on the necessity of being adaptive and embracing disruptive technologies, even at the risk of cannibalizing current products.

• How I reference it today: I use these insights when evaluating new technologies and strategies, ensuring we stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

10. The Lean Startup, by Eric Ries

• How it influenced me: Ries’ methodology on iterative development and learning directly from customer feedback shaped how I approach product development, emphasizing agility and adaptability.

• How I reference it today: I apply the principles of Build-Measure-Learn in product development cycles, ensuring I constantly adapt based on real-world feedback and data.

Each of these books has contributed significantly to my career and growth as a CPO. They have provided me with frameworks and methodologies that I actively apply in my role, helping me navigate the complex and ever-evolving challenges of product management and business strategy. I hope you will find them useful in your career.

WDYT? Are any of the above among your favorites? Which books would you recommend?