Second-hand Business Books: Why you Should Love Them

Piles of old second hand business books

Leanne Faulkner |

Sometimes the latest shiny-new-thing robs us of lessons from the past. That’s certainly true of second-hand books. In the rush to read the latest business book title, sometimes the stellar ideas found in a good older business book is forgotten.

That’s one of the reasons second-hand business books are critical to business success. But wait, there’s more…

A considered pre-loved book purchase can give the reader retro-insights on business practices that remain valuable, even with the passing of time.

“Retro-insights can provide foundational business ideas from the perspective of when they were first developed, and that’s gold.”

For example, if you want to strip back your marketing strategy to the core tenets of your advantage against market competition, you just cannot beat original ideas from Michael Porter’s Competitive Advantage, originally published in 1985. Porter’s ideas are still taught in universities today.

If you’re lucky, you might score a pre-loved business book that someone else has written in, highlighted or page marked. These are the best second hand books to buy! The person before you has saved you a lot of time because highlighted sections will grab your attention immediately. There’s also something voyeuristic about another person’s scribbles… do you agree with their position?

Second hand books save you money. When the budget is tight, a second hand business book ensures you can keep learning and growing without breaking the bank. You don’t need a subscription or membership. The book may be a bit older but the wisdom inside never ages. If you’re lucky you could score some fabulous business coach advice for the cost of a coffee or two.

Finally, second-hand books are great for the planet. A recycled book means less energy spent in book production and paper waste. There’s something special in sharing a book with other people. Especially a good business book. If you read a book and think it’s great, giving that book to another business owner signals you care about their business too. It says you want to support that business person by sharing the knowledge you uncovered in the book. Let’s hope it’s highlighted too!

Rereadable has an extensive range of second-hand business books. The condition of the books is detailed with each title so you can pick one that best suits your needs.