8 books for those who want to change the world

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Even the most creative and inventive innovators don't take their ideas out of thin air. This collection includes books that have inspired the founders of corporations who are changing our reality today.

1. "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu

This book has had perhaps the greatest impact on my decisions and actions. And not only in business, but also in personal life.

2. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Reshma Shetty Co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks, a biotech startup, one of the leaders in the field of synthetic biology. The company is engaged in the creation of new microorganisms that allow the production of new fragrances in cosmetics, baby food, healthy food and other types of goods.

Orson Scott Card released Ender's Game in 1985, but even then he predicted very accurately how the development of computers and the Internet would affect our reality. The author is a great example of a person who thinks not only about technological progress, but also about how this progress can change the lives of ordinary people.

3. Insisting On the Impossible, Victor McEleney

Ethan Brown Founder of Beyond Meat, a plant-based artificial meat company.

This is a book about Edwin Land, the creator of instant photography technology. They were skeptical about his idea, and I like situations when no one believes in you except yourself. I am impressed by this principle - not to perceive the opinion of others, being captured by my goal.

4. “Attracting investment in a startup. How to negotiate financing terms with an investor ", Brad Feld and Jason Mendelssohn

Emilie Leprus CEO of Twist Bioscience, a company that has developed its own synthetic DNA production process. Using a silicon platform, Twist Bioscience reproduces sequences of high-quality, high-performance genes to accelerate the drug design, assembly and testing cycle.

An idea is the beginning of a project, but the main fuel for its further activities is capital, therefore one of the main goals of an entrepreneur is to attract investments. Everything I know about fundraising I learned from this book. This is my bible.

5. “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Powerful tools for personal development ", Stephen Covey

Sam Chadari Founder of ClassDojo, an international educational service for communication between teachers and parents of students.

This book is a classic that deserves its place on my father's bookshelf.

6. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Nate Morris Co-founder of Rubicon Global, a waste disposal organization in the United States by linking independent garbage companies with corporate clients. Rubicon Global solutions enable corporations to cut waste collection costs by up to 30%.

I have read this book hundreds of times, and each time it has reminded me that the most important thing we have is our thoughts.

7. Lorax, Dr. Seuss

David Rosenberg is CEO and co-founder of AeroFarms, the world's largest vertical farm. This approach saves space, speeds up the growing cycle and eliminates the use of pesticides.

Such books remind us of the destructive power of industrialization and the importance of predicting the consequences of technological progress.

8. “The dilemma of the innovator. How New Technologies Kill Strong Companies, Clayton Christensen

CEO and co-founder of Restless Bandit, an organization that specializes in re-analyzing the resume of out-of-position candidates to see if they fit into another job in the company.

This book describes the reasons for the emergence of new startups. The thing is that large corporations do not see the full picture of the business area in which they operate.