Three books to consider reading during the holiday season break

As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on your business journey and set fresh goals for the coming year. To sharpen your thinking and gain new insights, we've compiled a list of three essential business advisory books that can fuel your planning and prepare you for a successful 2025. These books cover various topics, from financial management to leadership, strategy, and managing successful startups—ensuring you start the year with renewed focus and direction.

1. "The Infinite Game" by Simon Sinek

Overview:

Simon Sinek, the bestselling author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last, introduces the concept of "infinite games" in business and life, where the goal is not to "win" but to keep the game going. In The Infinite Game, Sinek contrasts finite games with clear rules and winners with infinite games, where the players and strategies constantly evolve. He argues that businesses and leaders who embrace an endless mindset will have the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in an unpredictable world.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of adopting a long-term vision over short-term wins.
• Building more robust, more innovative organisations by fostering trust and collaboration.
• Leadership strategies for cultivating resilience and enduring success in a competitive landscape.

This is a must-read for business owners and leaders who want to cultivate a mindset that embraces continuous improvement and sustainable growth.

2. "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear

Overview:

Atomic Habits by James Clear has become a modern classic for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional life through the science of habit formation. Clear explains how small, incremental behavioural changes—"atomic habits"—can compound over time to create significant positive results. With insights from 

psychology, biology, and neuroscience, this book provides practical tools for building good habits, breaking bad ones, and making meaningful progress towards your goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to build habits that lead to long-term business success.
• Understand the impact of small, consistent actions on personal productivity and organisational effectiveness.
• Practical strategies for overcoming procrastination and developing focus.

This is a great book to read during the festive season to set the habits for a productive 2025.

3. "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries

Overview:

Eric Ries' The Lean Startup is a must-read for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders looking to innovate in today's fast-paced, ever-changing markets. Ries introduces the lean startup concept, a methodology for creating and managing successful businesses by focusing on continuous innovation and customer feedback. His approach is based on agile development principles, which help companies to test new ideas quickly and efficiently to minimise risks and maximise opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Using the lean startup methodology to test new ideas without wasting time and resources.
• Continuous feedback and iteration are important to improve products and services.
• Strategies for fostering innovation while keeping costs and risks low.

The Lean Startup is a vital read for those looking to innovate or optimise their business operations in 2025.

Conclusion

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader, reading during the festive season is a great way to stay sharp and prepare for the new year's challenges. The books listed here offer invaluable insights into leadership, financial management, personal growth, and innovation. Each provides actionable strategies to help you start 2025 with fresh perspectives and a clearer vision for success.

As you relax during the festive break, diving into one of these books could provide the inspiration and practical advice you need to make 2025 your best year in business.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article does not constitute advice. The information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your individual financial situation. It should not be used, relied upon, or treated as a substitute for specific professional advice. We recommend that you contact Brentnalls SA before making any decision to discuss your particular requirements or circumstances.