Dive in, explore, and empower your brand-building endeavours with the knowledge that truly counts.
Below starts a carefully curated library of recommended books, audiobooks, and podcasts that we feel are helpful to everyone looking to build a thriving brand and grow a successful business. All of these have been read at least once, some over again, and have been essential guides for building brilliant client brands. Including launching Brand Biscuit too. We understand that every penny matters for small business owners, and that's why we want to share our professionally approved, no-nonsense resources – just valuable insights and actionable strategies that are tried, tested, and proven to work.
Recommended books and podcasts
Start with Why
Simon Sinek
Also listen to his TED talk ‘How great leaders inspire action. The most profound 18mins of your life. Literally a light bulb moment and a theory that I champion and share in my DNA courses.
Fuck Being Humble
Stefanie Sword-WIlliams
Self promotion is not a dirty word yet old fashioned views and systems are still present in modern day lifestyles. Finally, someone sharing harsh truths with seriously great advice on how to back yourself with clarity and in confidence. One for entrepreneurs and people transitioning from work to a solo career. Get this book!
Make Your Idea Matter: Stand out with a better story. Bernadette Jiwa.
If you have a new business idea or a start-up then this is for you. A go-to, to dip in and out to help you find a focus and purpose. Her strategy and succinct blogs are excellent and worth signing up to as well.
Building a Story Brand Donald Miller
Dramatically improve how you connect with customers and grow your businesses. Transform the way you talk about who you are, what you do, and the unique value you bring. This is light hearted, easy to grasp and implement.
Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense.
Rory Sutherland
For inspiration on another level. A unique perspective on how to see things differently in order to act differently. A gripping business guide on how to make the magic happen. This book is slightly advanced reading but the details are wonderfully eye opening. A personal fave.
Rebuild: How to thrive in the new Kindness Economy
Mary Portas
This is a great Audio Book. How we live, buy and sell is changing, and it's changing for good. Rebuild is a vital guide to how we reset post-pandemic and build back better. Great case studies, climate concern facts and ideas on how to build your business using a kinder economy.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
The story of one of the most influential and inspiring brands of our time. The story of Nike is not what you may expect. It's relatable and shares the real struggles and wins of getting an idea off the ground. This is great for anyone interested in business, ideas, sports and wants to know what it takes to beat the best.
What Great Brands Do
Denise Lee Yohn
Discover proven strategies for building powerful, world-class brands. So much incredible content in a way that's relatable and implementable. I would say this is aimed at larger corporations but is applicable to all serious brand builders. I personally love this book and her Audible version is great.
Brand Brilliance: Elevate Your Brand, Enchant Your Audience by Fiona Humberstone
This book is perfect if your are building a lifestyle brand then this beautiful book is for you. Fiona takes you on a comprehensive journey, helping you to define your dream clients, refine your message and up your marketing game. Some lovely case study examples to help you relate.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
There's never been a better time to make a few tiny changes that will revolutionise your life. James shares his revolutionary system to get one per cent better every day. It’s motivating, uplifting, rewarding… And full of bite sized life hacks to help you change your habits to stay motivated and happy.
The Smart Branding Book
Dan White
There are a lot of bad brand building books out there, but this pocket sized guide is packed full of the useful need-to-knows. Cutting the fluff by championing modern methods and tools to build a successful brand today. It’s easy to digest, simple to follow and doesn’t bore you to tears. Cracking for any keen brand builder.
Branding that Means Business, by Matt Johnson and Tessa Misiaszek
Brands have the power to shape not just what we buy, but how we act and how we feel about ourselves. Knowing how brands are built and add value has always been an important business skill. But, as the rules of engagement shift and change, it's become crucial.
Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life
James Victore
James Victore's ideas on optimising your creativity, doing wow work and building a life that inspires will devastate your limits. And show you how to win. Easy, to the point read.
The Art of People
Dave Kerpen
Its easy to get lost in an online world, with AI creeping in too, that we can sometimes forget how to connect with people. This book reveals the eleven people skills that will get you more of what you want at work, at home and in life.
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Recommended
Podcasts
These are some of our favourite podcasts to get you fired up and writing tons of actionable notes! Let us know what you think and if you have any you would like to share which have helped you with your brand building journey.
Introducing Life in Series, starting with Life in Print.
Life in Print launched in June, catch up on the Podcast to discover how print can be sustainable and still has a purpose.
Beautiful Misfits, Mary Portas
Misfits believe the world can be a better place. And they fearlessly take the imaginative leap to change it. We are a bunch of Biscuit Misfits. Are you? Find out and listen now.
The Diary of a CEO
Stephen Bartlet
A look into what it’s like behind the scenes, being an entrepreneur. Raw truths in business and a Plymothian too.
A Bit of Optimism With Simon SInek
Simon talks with people that inspire him about love, life, leadership, and silver linings. The hope is that we all leave with something I think we need these days… A Bit of Optimism.
On Brand With ALF & Rory Sutherland
Hear from industry experts Vice Chairman of leading agency Ogilvy UK, Rory Sutherland, speaks to household names and challenger brands about success, challenges and future opportunities in the advertising, marketing and media industries.
On Brand with Steve Westergaard
The On Brand podcast helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders or those working for innovative brands.
She Means Business Show by Carrie Green
The On Brand podcast helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders or those working for innovative brands.