The Personal MBA
by Josh Kaufman
Kaufman's argument that business education can be self-taught, followed by about two hundred and fifty concise concepts across value creation, marketing, sales, finance, systems and psychology. It is a reference and an orientation, not a deep dive, and it is useful for anyone who needs the vocabulary of business quickly.
Read it if…
you are starting or joining a business and want a broad map in one book.
Skip it if…
you want depth in any one area; this is breadth by design.
Three things you will actually use
- Every business is the five parts; know which is weakest.
- Learn the vocabulary; it unlocks the rest.
- Test ideas cheaply before investing.
Do this first
Read the five parts of every business (value creation, marketing, sales, value delivery, finance) and rate your own on each.
Our verdict
A broad, useful reference; the orientation course.
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