S2 E01 - 2025’s Top 10 Books to Make Contractors Millions

In this episode of 'Beers with Contractors, hosts Will, Terry and Drake discuss their favorite business books that have influenced their careers and provided valuable insights for contractors. Among the books reviewed are “Traction” by Gino Wickman, Michael Gerber's “The E-Myth,” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, and “Rocket Fuel” by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters. They also address key takeaways from these books and how they can help contractors better manage their businesses, make hard decisions, and structure their companies for long-term success. They also touch on topics like imposter syndrome, the importance of integrators, and using AI in contracting. The episode wraps up with a humorous note on hearing issues from power tools and spontaneous combustion jokes.

00:00 Introduction

03:06 Road Trip Reflections and Audiobooks

05:16 Discussing Traction by Gino Wickman

11:34 The Six Types of Working Geniuses

14:13 Understanding Anti-Fragile Systems

17:25 The E-Myth and Working on Your Business

22:39 AI in Contracting and Rich Dad, Poor Dad

29:58 The Hard Things About Hard Things

31:53 Unexpected Challenges and Budgeting

33:12 Visionary vs. Integrator Dynamics

36:52 Defining Visionary and Integrator Roles

39:40 Case Studies of Visionary-Integrator Combos

44:34 Building a Business to Sell

50:50 Blue Ocean Strategy Explained

54:04 Thinking in Bets: Decision Making in Business

58:27 Final Thoughts and Book Recommendations

**Contractors Kick Ass!**

**Podcast Store Link:**

https://williamwalkerblake.com/store-1

**List of Books:**

1. **Traction - EOS**: Gino Wickman (https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book)

2. **The 6 Types of Working Genius**: Patrick Lencioni (https://www.amazon.com/Types-Working-Genius-Understand-Frustrations/dp/1637743297)

3. **The E-Myth:** Michael E. Gerber (https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280)

4. **Rich Dad Poor Dad**: Robert Kiyosaki (https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teens-Money-That/dp/1612680305)

5. **Extreme Ownership**: Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863)

6. **Leadership Skills and Tactics**: Jocko Willink (https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Strategy-Tactics-Field-Manual/dp/1250226848)

7. **Rocket Fuel**: Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters (https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-audiobook/dp/B012HJOBRY/)

8. **Sales Leaders Playbook**: Nathan Jamail (https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Leaders-Playbook-Managing-Coaching/dp/0981778909)

9. **Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You**: John Warrillow (https://www.amazon.com/Built-Sell-Warrillow-28-Feb-2013-Paperback/dp/B011T6SNA2/)

10. **Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts**: Annie Duke (https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355)

11. **First, Break All the Rules**: Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman (https://www.amazon.com/First-Break-All-Rules-Differently/dp/0684852861)

12. **The Infinite Game**: Simon Sinek (https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Game-Simon-Sinek/dp/073521350X)

13. **Tax-Free Wealth**: Tom Wheelwright (https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Free-Wealth-Massive-Permanently-Lowering/dp/B0D15448Q7)

14. **Profit Problem**: Martin Holland (https://www.amazon.com/Profit-Problem-They-Make-Money/dp/1734603607)

15. **Blue Ocean Strategy**: W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne (https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Expanded-Uncontested/dp/1625274491)

16. **The Hard Thing About Hard Things**: Ben Horowitz (https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205)

17. **Getting More**: Stuart Diamond (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-More-Negotiate-Succeed-Work/dp/0307716902)

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