Business model generation
a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers
by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur · first published 2010
80% recommend17% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Practical toolkit built around the Business Model Canvas for testing and refining a startup idea, pitching, and spotting competitive edges; suits first-time founders and intrapreneurs, often paired with Steve Blank.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Right off the bat, here you go: 1. The 7 habits of highly successful people (Stephen Covey) 2. The Miracle Morning (Hal Elrod) 3. Business Model Generation (Aelxander Osterwalder) 4. The Art Of War (Sun Tzu) 5. The E-myth, why most businesses don't work and what to do about it (Michel Gerber) 6. Made In Japan (Founder of Sony, Akio Morita) 7. How to…
on “Ask HN: Which books do you wish you'd read earlier in life?” ↗Try this: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Owners-Manual-Step-Step/dp/09... and/or https://www.amazon.com/Business-Model-Generation-Visionaries... and/or https://www.amazon.com/You-Build-Will-They-Come/dp/047056363... and this: https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone/...
on “Ask HN: How would you validate an idea for SaaS product?” ↗For me, I had a few that I really liked: * The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell. Probably one of the best books I've read, even for people who don't want to make games, it was really good. * Business Model Generation by Osterwalder and Pigneur. One of the better business books I've read through. Also one of the most creative. And I finally read: * The C Programming Language by K&R. 'nuff said.
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗…Universe - Brian Greene The Trouble With Physics - Lee Smolin Not Even Wrong - Peter Woit The Lean Startup - Eric Ries Blue Ocean Strategy - W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne Built To Last - Jim Collins Business Model Generation - Alexander Osterwalder Started, but unfinished, may yet make the list: Simulacra and Simulation - Jean Baudrillard Reamde - Neal Stephenson The Fabric of the Cosmos - Brian Greene
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗Please read * Running Lean by Ash Maurya * Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder When it comes to polishing your product, the growth.design course is excellent. Sell before you build a full fledged product. Create traction.
on “Ask HN: Should I give up and get a job?” ↗…Tim Ferriss, the author of "The 4-hour workweek." As long as we're talking about Steve Blank, here's a couple of other books that I've read and liked because of things I've read on his blog/book: * Business Model Generation, by Osterwalder & Pigneur * Crystal Fire, by Riordan & Hoddeson * A Radar History of World War II, by Brown The last two book because of his "secret history of silicon valley" posts.
on “The Four Steps to the Epiphany” ↗The book "Business Model Generation" by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur is mandatory reading wrt disruptive innovation. It's thorough, fun to read and beautifully designed. http://www.amazon.com/Business-Model-Generation-Visionaries-...
on “How To Develop Ideas That Will Disrupt Your Industry” ↗…Michael McGrath 12. Living on the Fault Line - Geoffrey Moore 13. Inside the Tornado - Geoffrey Moore 14. The Chasm Companion - Paul Wiefels 15. Getting to Plan B - John Mullins & Randy Komisar 16. Business Model Generation - Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur
on “Ask HN: Must Read Books” ↗Additionally, I HIGHLY suggest taking a look at the Business Model Generation by Alex Osterwalder and Running Lean By Ash Maurya. LINKS: http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/ http://www.runningleanhq.com/
on “Ask HN: Best resources for learning to build good products?” ↗…I've been reading the three books that Steve Blank has recommended in various interviews (citation needed): - http://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-... - http://www.amazon.com/Business-Model-Generation-Visionaries-... - http://www.amazon.com/Four-Steps-Epiphany-Successful-Strateg... I'd still love to know what was planned for the class, but these volumes have been valuable to me.
on “Steve Blank's Lean Launchpad & Chuck Eesley's Tech Entreprenur class cancelled” ↗"The Startup of You" "Running Lean" "The Lean Startup" "Venture Hacks" "Venture Deals" "Four Steps to the Epiphany" "Business Model Generation"
on “Ask HN: Is there a "Business for Hackers" book?” ↗Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand The Four Steps To The Epiphany - Steve Blank Blue Ocean Strategy - W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne Business Model Generation - Alexander Osterwalder
on “Ask HN: Great book that you read recently?” ↗The Four Steps to the Epiphany - Steve Blank The Art of the Start - Guy Kawasaki Crossing The Chasm - Geoffrey Moore Business Model Generation - Alex Osterwalder The Personal MBA - Josh Kaufman Blue Ocean Strategy - W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne Also, see: http://www.quora.com/What-are-some-must-read-books-for-entre... http://www.quora.com/Business-Books/What-business-books-must...…
on “Ask HN : What are some great books an aspiring entrepreneur should read?” ↗…Entrepreneurs are not prepared for business, I know the practice and experience is great, but they need some methodology, best practices, fundamentals of business, case samples and advices also. Books like “Business Model Generation”, by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur, “The Startup Owner´s Manual”, by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf could be very useful. Here in Brazil we have the recented lauched book in portuguese called “Empreendedorismo…
on “Why Startups Die” ↗The business model canvas graphic on the right looked very familiar so I would recommend this book for further reading: http://www.amazon.com/Business-Model-Generation-Visionaries-...
on “How To Build A Startup: The Lean LaunchPad” ↗