The best books with people to learn successful invention and business methods from

My father was an inventor. That is what is says on his tombstone. Over 100 patents.

His products today in building supply shops and in real buildings. And some crazy inventions that did not make him famous, but he had fun with.

So I guess I have a born sympathy for the lone inventor, who against many odds, manages to do interesting useful work and industrialise it successfully. This is not about Dyson, but written by him. Hopefully he will inspire the next generation of inventors.

I am structurally advised to admire a man who spouts almost as many ‘principles’ of his business methods as I do.

He, like the others here, is a person who has created a very successful business (in the financial industry, Bridgewater). So there is some proof that his ideas are worth listening to. 

He has a more recent book that I also admire, for its political analysis (but I am only allowed a small quota of suggestions). 

He not only shares his wisdom in a great book, but he campaigns, daily on social media for his ideas; typically with one new principle each post! He might seem to be promoting his books, but I know he is an idealist sharing his ideas. He does not need the book income (neither do I). He just wants you to read more of his ideas! 

He is in that last quarter of your life, Indians call it Seva, give-back time.

From my notes after I read it, “Great content and organization. Triggered me to write and plan a 2022 Book.”

There was specific practical content like removing vacation policy, removing travel and expenses policy. An opening the books, which showed the practices behind the no rules idea, and their consequent results in the business. As a consultant, these give me a tool for discussion with clients. What if you did the same?

Again a great leader, and successful businessperson, using persistence and imagination to deal with the forces against change.

No surprises. Self-made businessperson, with persistence and imagination.

This book is unusual. It is literally written by Bezos over decades of developing Amazon. It is mainly his annual reports to the shareholders! So it gives a continuous picture of the growth of the empire.

My favourite practical tip, is his executive meeting process. Meeting begins with a 6-page (with a 1-page summary) briefing, to reread for the first 20 minutes of as meeting in silence, then discussed. No presentation with slides and pretty pictures, and soothing ambiguous words.

The briefing is the result of hard work, in advance, crafting it to be useful. Wow! 

I have read many Musk books, and seen many Musk videos. So this is just one of many.

I have extracted the methods, Musk uses, in a collection. I have to admit, one reason I like them, is that they are essentially the same as my own, in Competitive Engineering! Just great engineering and management.

But, Musk, as yet, has not written his own methods book, or even articles or slides. So we have these biographical books, and videos, as the only evidence of his methods.

But his methods are clear enough in essence. “Fanatic on metrics” (source March 1, 2023 Investors video). Frequent, early, automated, measurement of results. Empowerment to increment towards a super-competitive product, service, and organizational results. Visions of the very best qualities, by far (example Safety).

Three Tesla models are top 3 of the 50 safest cars currently rated for safety! I value my family’s lives. Relentless eternal continuous incremental improvement, day by day (not model-year by model-year!). I drive my 3rd Tesla (3, Perfect!), and am in my 5th round of Tesla Investment (best ever winnings, better than lotteries). Of course, buy low, sell high!

And, if you did not know, Elon is not in it for the money! And not even for the exciting technology. No, he is an idealist. He really does live to work for the salvation of the human race! Technology and money are merely tools for that vision.