If you’ve ever picked up a business book that promised to transform your practice with one simple trick, you’re not alone. The appeal is obvious—who wouldn’t want an easy shortcut to success? But the reality is that most of these books oversimplify complex issues, package half-baked ideas as universal truths, and fail to acknowledge the messy, unpredictable nature of running a business.
The illusion of the silver bullet or magic wand
Many business books follow a familiar formula:
– A charismatic entrepreneur or consultant shares their personal success story.
– They distil their experience into a handful of principles.
– These principles are then presented as the way to achieve success, regardless of your business, industry, or circumstances.
The problem? Real-world success is rarely that straightforward. What worked for one person in one specific market at one particular moment in time won’t necessarily work for you now.
If there really were a single simple trick, more accountants would already be doing it and would also be successful and content.
Knowing vs doing
One of the most frustrating things accountants tell me is being advised there’s just one thing they need to do to be more successful. The problem is that ‘one thing’ is often difficult, impractical, or just doesn’t fit their situation.
There’s a huge difference between knowing what to do and being able to do it. Most business books and talks on stage don’t address this gap.
They assume that once you’ve been told the answer, action will follow.
But in reality, change is hard. Implementation is where things break down – whether due to lack of time, resources, confidence, or simply because life and business are far more complicated than a book or a talk suggest.
The importance of developing key business skills
That might make you think I’d dismiss business books altogether. Not at all. I am a regular judge for the Business Book Awards and I enjoy the challenge of reading 6 or 7 short-listed books to recommend a winner each year.
And, as I have repeatedly made clear on this blog and in my talks, I think it is crucial for accountants to develop appropriate key business skills.
Throughout my career I have seen accountants prioritise technical courses – to extend their technical knowledge and to keep this up to date.
I would never suggest this was wrong. It isn’t. But it’s rarely enough either if you want to be successful in practice.
As an accountant, technical expertise alone isn’t enough – you also need to sharpen key business skills such as communication, management, networking, marketing, pricing, and client management. The list of such skills is almost endless.
And that’s where books can be valuable. A good business book can introduce new ideas, challenge your thinking, and help you refine your approach. But the key is to read with a critical eye.
The need for nuance
Instead of chasing the latest business book fad, accountants need to embrace a more realistic approach to growth.
That means:
– Looking at a range of perspectives – No single book, expert, or methodology has all the answers.
– Understanding what works for you – Every business, every accountant, and every client base is different.
– Testing and adapting – Strategies need to be practical and suited to your specific circumstances.
– Accepting that there’s no magic formula – Success isn’t about finding the answer; it’s about figuring out what works for you.
To conclude
Should you read business books at all?
Yes, but wisely. Some books provide useful insights, but none should be treated as a step-by-step guide to guaranteed success.
Instead of looking for the answer in a book, focus on building the key business skills that matter – ones that will help you navigate your own unique challenges.
And if that idea resonates, maybe it’s time for a different kind of conversation – one that isn’t about following someone else’s formula but about figuring out what’s right for you.
