Business books help founders and CEOs make sense of the commercial world via the words of the people who succeeded before them. The following three books helped Richard Anson get to where he is today. He explains how.

CREATING A CULTURE: Let My People Go Surfing - Yvon Chouinard

After reading this book, it found a very visible place on my desk at Reevoo for a number of years. Written by the founder of the outdoor wear brand Patagonia, it’s an inspiring book.

For me the real essence inside is that if you are an entrepreneur, it is your business and you have the rare opportunity (I would say duty) to create a culture and environment that is unique to your business and works for both you and your team. Take the time to think about the values and culture you want to set - don’t let others try and dictate what your “business” should be like.

SLOWING DOWN: In Praise of Slow, by Carl Honore

My wife gave me a signed copy of this book about 6 months after we started Reevoo. I laughed, a tech startup is the antithesis of slow - it’s all about speed, energy and hustle.

However the message inside was clear, there are times for speed and also times to be slow.  In effect, creating those times to be slow, whether it’s slow cooking, walking or meditating, is essential to enable your mind and body to recharge.

Building a business, those times don’t happen naturally, you have to make them happen. And if you are addicted to the speed and energy that comes with building a business, those slow times can be extremely uncomfortable at first – but you do need to make them happen!

Carl Honoré wants people to decrease the pace of life

PUBLIC SPEAKING: Talk like TED - Carmine Gallo

As a founder you are the number one salesperson for your business. In fact you are constantly selling your vision to customers, to investors, to your team, to partners.

One of your key skills must be able to present well, yet few CEOs and founders actually do this well - most spend time preparing slides and then talk to them. This book dissects what makes the most successful TED talks and then provides tips of how to present like the most successful TED talks.

Yes - preparing a great presentation takes time. Yes - you have to rehearse. No - you can’t just walk into a room and shoot from the hip. The best presenters make it look like that’s what they do, but have they have spent hours rehearsing.

Richard Anson is the founder and former CEO of Reevoo.