Following up on our investment podcasts article, the Headline team in Asia shares the six best books for you to start your new year right. With more people working remotely and spending more time looking at screens than ever, now might be the perfect time to set down your phones and pick up a book. We surveyed the Headline Partners and Investment team for their top picks on their go-to books for both investment and life in general that could help you reposition yourself in 2022.
6 Must-Read Books from Headline Partners
Akhiko Okamoto, Partner
The New Science of Networks by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Throughout the book, we learn about networks, how they appear, look, and develop. We acquire a web-based perspective of nature, society, and business, providing a new framework for understanding issues ranging from democracy to the vulnerabilities of the Internet.
Linked: The New Science of Networks
“The Four Steps to the Epiphany” by Steve Blank
If you haven’t read this classic yet, then you need to get your hands on this bestseller right away. One of the first books in the market, to offer startups that are not smaller versions of large companies and give comprehensive, practical, and most importantly, proven four-step Customer Development process for search and insight into what makes startups successful. Packed with real examples, “The Four Steps to the Epiphany” has helped launch 10,000 startups and new corporate ventures.
Akio Tanaka, Partner
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The notion of what constitutes the boundaries of the “normal” is part of our everyday existence. We explain these notions as “common sense”. However, history shows that such beliefs can easily be broken when an “unexpected” abnormal event happens. According to the book, unexpected events are referred to as “black swan” events.
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
The Third Door: The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World’s Most Successful People Launched Their Careers by Alex Banayan
If you’re looking for a book that’s full-proof on its techniques and strategies, then “Third Door” will save you’re your valued time as we have a real-life example that shows it works. One of our investors was able to use the cold email template from the book to connect with our founder and be a part of the Headline team (you can watch the video here). Read more to find out about the three doors that can lead your future to different places.
Joseph Huang, Partner
A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker
Winner of the Nebula Awards, sci-fi author and musician Sarah Pinsker, shows us through music and concerts how much the world is changing around us due to COVID-19 and technology. Read our article here from one of our partners, Joseph Huang to get the bigger picture and how it’s connected to MetaSaaS.
A Song for a New Day
For Headline readers, we would like to reveal a secret sauce from our conversation with Joseph Huang. He is inspired by a book that you may never think of when you’re seeking business inspiration.
Bible (English Standard Version)
Keeping faith is a personal journey. Our Partner Joseph Huang finds daily inspiration and centering from this religious tome. Staying centered and grounded isn’t just important for your personal well-being, it touches every aspect of your life — including business.
Holy Bible