Inspired by Ben Meer
Why Invest in a Personal MBA?
A traditional MBA program can set you back over $150,000 and requires two years of intense study. While these programs offer networking opportunities and structured learning, the core business knowledge they provide can largely be obtained through self-education which can be gained from 12 books.
That’s the audacious claim made by Ben Meer in a recent LinkedIn post that’s set the business world buzzing. Meer, a Cornell MBA graduate and voracious reader of over 300 business books, argues that we can gain 90% of the knowledge offered by a traditional MBA program simply by curating our own curriculum and diving into the right books. Intrigued? You should be.
In today’s fast-paced world, where information is currency and adaptability is king, the traditional path to business mastery isn’t always the most efficient or accessible. Meer’s 6-month personal MBA reading list offers a compelling alternative – a self-directed, cost-effective way to acquire essential business acumen and accelerate your career trajectory.
This Personal MBA reading plan will take you through 12 carefully selected books covering strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, personal finance, marketing, operations, systems thinking, public speaking, negotiation, networking, leadership, and productivity. Each book builds upon the previous one, ensuring a holistic and seamless learning journey.
So, skip the lecture halls and embrace the library. Here’s Meer’s meticulously crafted curriculum, designed to give you a comprehensive business education in just six months, reading for only 30 minutes a day, two books a month:
Month 1: Laying the Foundation – Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Understanding strategy and entrepreneurship is the starting point for anyone looking to build a successful business or career.
1. Strategy: Zero to One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters
Key Lessons:
- Competition is for losers—create something unique instead of copying others.
- Great businesses don’t just improve existing ideas; they create entirely new solutions (going from “zero to one”).
- The most successful companies monopolize their niches before expanding.
This book sets the stage for thinking differently and challenging conventional wisdom. It leads perfectly into the next book, which focuses on how to take an idea and turn it into a tangible business.
2. Entrepreneurship: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Key Lessons:
- Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and improve it through continuous feedback.
- Adaptability is more important than rigid planning.
- The faster you test ideas, the quicker you can pivot toward success.
With the strategic mindset from Zero to One, you’re now prepared to launch a business effectively. But no business can survive without solid financial understanding—this is where the next two books come in.
Skip the $150k price tag. Your personal MBA starts with these 12 books. Check them out today! Share on XMonth 2: Mastering Money – Financial Literacy & Personal Finance
3. Accounting/Finance: Financial Intelligence by Karen Berman, Joe Knight, and John Case
Key Lessons:
- Learn how to read financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).
- Business decisions should be made based on financial data, not gut instinct.
- Understanding ROI (Return on Investment) helps businesses make profitable decisions.
Demystify the world of finance with this practical guide to understanding financial statements and make informed investment decisions.
Once you grasp corporate finance, it’s time to apply financial principles to your own life.
4. Personal Finance: I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Key Lessons:
- Automate your savings and investments so you grow wealth effortlessly.
- Spend extravagantly on what you love, and cut mercilessly on things you don’t.
- Financial freedom isn’t about earning more—it’s about managing your money better.
More than just a personal finance book, this is a guide to designing your “Rich Life.”
With a solid grasp of finance, you’re now ready to market and sell your ideas effectively.
Month 3: Selling Success – Marketing & Operations
5. Marketing: The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries
Key Lessons:
- Perception is reality—customers buy based on how they perceive your brand.
- If you can own a word in the consumer’s mind, you dominate the market.
- Following these 22 principles helps avoid common marketing failures.
A classic marketing primer that lays out the fundamental principles of brand building.
Once you attract customers, you must deliver efficiently—which is where operations come in.
6. Operations: The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Key Lessons:
- Every business has bottlenecks—fix them to improve profitability.
- Cash flow is king; focus on increasing throughput rather than cutting costs.
- Use systems thinking to optimize processes and eliminate waste.
Month 4: Thinking Smarter – Systems Thinking & Public Speaking
7. Systems Thinking: Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
Key Lessons:
- To change any system, focus on the 12 leverage points that yield the biggest impact.
- Systems operate based on behavior, not words—observe actions, not promises.
- Create feedback loops to drive consistent improvements.
Understanding systems and the interconnectedness of the world around you also makes you a more compelling speaker and communicator.
Self-education is the most powerful form of education. Start your personal MBA now! Share on X8. Public Speaking: Steal the Show by Michael Port
Key Lessons:
- Speak with confidence by cutting out filler words.
- Use strategic pauses to create dramatic effect.
- Acting “as if” builds confidence and credibility.
Being a great speaker also makes you a better negotiator, which is covered next.
Month 5: Building Influence – Negotiation & Networking
9. Negotiation: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Key Lessons:
- Never accept the first offer—let the other party reveal their position first.
- Master the power of open-ended questions to shape conversations.
- Be prepared for extreme offers, and know your best alternative.
Negotiation helps in every aspect of life—including networking. Learn the art of negotiation from a former FBI hostage negotiator. Prepare your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement).
10. Networking: How to Be a Power Connector by Judy Robinett
Key Lessons:
- Your network is your net worth.
- Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
- Follow the 5+50+100 rule to build meaningful relationships.
Learn how to build a powerful network by choosing your environment wisely, diversifying your connections, and following the ultimate Rule.
With strong leadership skills, you can now elevate your career.
Month 6: Becoming a Leader – Leadership & Productivity/Effectiveness
11. Leadership: Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal
Key Lessons:
- Traditional leadership models don’t work in fast-moving environments.
- Leaders should empower others instead of hoarding control.
- Adaptability and resilience are essential for long-term success.
Navigate the complexities of leadership in a chaotic world. Embrace the power of distributed leadership, adaptability, and resilience.
Finally, we end with a book that ties everything together: productivity and success principles.
12. Productivity: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson
Key Lessons:
- Leverage your time—build once, earn forever. Learn to productize yourself.
- Happiness and wealth are skills you develop, not luck.
- Play long-term games that compound your success.
A collection of wisdom on wealth, happiness, and decision-making from entrepreneur Naval Ravikant. Learn to build a strong reputation.
The Verdict
Meer’s list isn’t just a collection of books; it’s a carefully curated curriculum designed to provide a well-rounded business education. It’s a testament to the power of self-directed learning and a reminder that knowledge is readily available to those who seek it.
Ready to take charge of your professional development? Dive into these 12 books and embark on your personal MBA journey. Share your progress, insights, and reviews with us in the comments below! Let’s learn and grow together.
Start Your Personal MBA Today!
📖 Your Personal MBA journey starts here!
- Grab these books and begin today: Check the full list here!
- Invest 30 minutes a day, and watch your career transform!
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.