Since joining the Rise Up team, have noticed that a lot of students and graduates ask what would I recommend for them to read. Some might be looking for extra references for an assignment, others might want to know more before deciding if entrepreneurship is for them, some are already developing an idea but have gotten a bit stuck with something, and some simply enjoy reading and are naturally curious.
Whatever their motivation, I’m always happy to oblige and offer some recommendations. So I thought I should provide a list through this space and keep it updated as we go forward, so that anyone interested can have a look through it in their own time.
Below you will find a list of my personal favourites, with small descriptions of why I think they’re great and even convenient links to their location at our very own Newcastle University Library system (where applicable).
Value proposition design : how to create products and services customers want
Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur, Gregory Bernarda, Alan Smith. 2014
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.4012 OST)
All in startup : launching a new idea when everything is on the line
Diana Kander, Steven Gary Blank. 2014
Available online (from the Newcastle University Library website)
Idea work : lessons of the extraordinary in everyday creativity
Arne Carlsen, Stewart Clegg, Reidar Gjersvik. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.421 CAR)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.421 CAR)
This is service design thinking : basics, tools, cases
Marc Stickdorn, Jakob Schneider. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.562 THI)
Sprint : how to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days
Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz, Simon Schuster. 2016
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.403 KNA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.403 KNA)
The startup owner’s manual. Vol. 1 : the step-by-step guide for building a great company
Steven Gary Blank, Bob Dorf. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 BLA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.11 BLA)
The lean startup : how constant innovation creates radically successful businesses
Eric Ries. 2011
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 RIE)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.11 RIE)
Scaling lean : Mastering the key metrics for startup growth
Ash Maurya. 2016
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 MAU)
The four steps to the epiphany : successful strategies for products that win
Steven Gary Blank. 2013
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.4012 BLA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.4012 BLA)
As always, I hope that’s useful. Do let me know if you want to include any personal favourites of yours and I’ll be very happy to update the list with your contributions.
Happy starting-up!