Most successful business people were not born that way, they had to learn new things and polish their skills in order to get to the top. While it is possible to learn needed skills by yourself, why not take a shortcut and find out how the experts did it? Some people recommend regular reading of business books to keep themselves sharp and to introduce them to new ideas and ways of thinking.

Foundr wrote an article about this topic that we have summarised below. So, Let’s look at five of the best business books that can help you take your career to new heights:

Zero to One, Peter Thiel

Thiel is the founder of PayPal and one of the earliest investors in Facebook. This book looks at how past innovations have changed the landscape of business in the past few decades, and also at what impact new innovation might have. Thiel also examines how successful businesses meet the needs of their customers.

Sam Walton: Made in America, Sam Walton

Walton was a bit controversial, as many people seem to have a love/hate relationship with Wal-Mart. However, Walton came from humble beginnings and aimed to help those who were looking for low-priced products to stretch their paychecks. In this book, Walton shares how he built Wal-mart and his guiding principles behind his company.

Only the Paranoid Survive, Andrew S. Grove

Grove used to be the CEO of Intel the microprocessor manufacturing giant. This book looks at the challenges of spearheading a company in a very competitive industry. Grove also discusses certain times in the business life cycle when traditional business rules no longer apply. Paranoia as a business tool can ensure that companies stay relevant and continue to be successful, because paranoid companies are aware of what their customers need and what the market desires.

The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graham

Some people find investing to be baffling or may invest in 401 (k) plans or money market plans that are managed by others. In The Intelligent Investor, Graham discusses his value investing philosophy whereby he buys certain securities and holds on to them, ultimately maximizing returns. This is an excellent book for investors who are ready to branch out on their own.

Remote: Office Not Required, Jason Fried

No discussion of business would be complete without looking at a new type of worker: the one that works remotely. The Internet made it possible for true remote work to occur. Fried discusses how companies can make remote workers an essential part of their workforce and the benefits of remote work for both businesses and employees. Don’t miss out on this book and the others in this list, they will help anyone take their business and investing to the next level.