Figgy Favorites: 15 Must-Have Tech Resources To Make Your Work Easier
Kari Switala : March 11, 2025
This year, we’re celebrating 15 years of Wild Fig Marketing! My, how time flies when you’re having fun!
Did you know that some of the most successful people in the world are avid readers? Bill Gates, for example, reads 50 books per year—compared to the four books the average American reads each year. 🤯
Constant learning and growth is vital to the success of any business, and it's something we strive for here at Wild Fig.
As part of our 15-year anniversary celebration, we’ve gathered 15 of our team’s favorite business & professional development books. Peruse this list and see if you don’t find your next great read (or listen, if audiobooks are more your style)!
1. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
This book has come to form the basis of how we help our clients communicate their message to the world. From website copy to social media and more, the StoryBrand framework can help you, as the author puts it, “clarify your message so customers will listen.”
2. Fans First by Jesse Cole
Speaking of books that have changed the way we do things…this is another one that has had a huge influence on how we function here at Wild Fig. This book looks at how the Savannah Bananas—a unique, highly entertaining baseball team in Georgia—”change the game, break the rules, and create an unforgettable experience,” and how you can do the same in your business.
3. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
In this book, Dr. Cialdini utilizes his 35 years of evidence-based, peer-reviewed scientific research, including a three-year field study, to explain the psychology behind what motivates people to say ‘yes’ and how to apply these principles ethically in your business. With examples and stories to bring these concepts to life, the author takes what could be a dry topic and makes it exciting and inspiring.
4. The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
Our Senior Content Writer, Jamie, loved this book. It’s all about storytelling and how it has evolved over the centuries. The author draws on research in neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology to show how stories help us navigate life and how they can help change our world for the better.
5. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
BOTH of our content writers recommend this book…and they’re not the only ones. Considered a modern classic, this witty and entertaining book can help you find your passion and your voice. Lamott shares hard-earned wisdom through her own story of becoming a writer. The L.A. Times called it “An essential volume for generations of writers young and old.” Bonus: it’s hilarious.
Laugh your way to becoming a better writer.
6. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
In this book, Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger explores why certain ideas and products get more attention than others. What makes some things go “viral” while others are ignored? Berger shares the science behind word-of-mouth and social transmission, six principles that drive things to become contagious, and actionable insights to design messages, ads, and other content that people want to share. We also loved his book, Magic Words: What To Say To Get Your Way.
Get your copy of Contagious here!
7. Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
Communication is a crucial part of running a successful business (and a successful life!). This book is an exploration of what makes conversations work and how we can all learn to be better communicators. As its subtitle states, this book will show you “how to unlock the secret language of connection.”
8. Traction by Gino Wickman
In this book, Gino Wickman shows you how to “get a grip on your business” by implementing an operating system to help you achieve the success you’re shooting for. He goes over the secrets to strengthening the key components of your business as well as simple ways to run your company that will give you and your team more focus, growth, and enjoyment in your work.
Learn how to get some traction for your business.
9. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
Before he was a social media star and host of his podcast, On Purpose, Jay Shetty spent three years in a monastery. When he left, he began to share the lessons he learned there with the world. This book distills those lessons into practical steps you can take to live a more peaceful, meaningful life.
10. Train Your Brain for Success by Roger Seip
In this book, author Roger Seip explains how we can condition our minds for success through fundamental techniques for improving memory power, reading speed, and comprehension. In his words, this book will teach you to “read smarter, remember more, and break your own records.”
11. The 1-page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib
Creating a marketing plan for your business can often be difficult and time-consuming. This book shows you how to create a simple, one-page marketing plan that will help you “get new customers, make more money, and stand out from the crowd.”
Start creating better marketing plans!
12. Never Not Working by Malissa Clark
In this book, the author examines overwork and burnout from both an individual perspective and an organizational one. She helps you determine if you’re edging toward overwork yourself, whether your company culture is contributing to workaholism, and how to make changes to ensure you don’t lose your wellbeing or your company’s performance to burnout.
13. Hug Your Haters: How To Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers by Jay Baer
According to Jay Baer, eighty percent of companies say they deliver outstanding customer service, but only eight percent of their customers agree! In his book, he looks at an extensive proprietary study of how, where, and why people complain and teaches you how to embrace those complaints and put your “haters” to work for you.
14. $100M Leads: How To Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff by Alex Hormozi
Alex Hormozi wants to help you get wayyyyy more leads than you currently do…without changing a thing about what you sell. In his book, he shows you how to generate more leads with his eight “never-go-hungry” methods.
15. Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Will Guidara is the owner of Eleven Madison Park, a NYC-based brasserie known for memorable, over-the-top hospitality. In his book, Guidara urges us to find the magic in what we do and to share it with the people we work with and serve.
Find out how to be unreasonably hospitable.
Bonus: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Ok, I couldn’t help myself, I had to include one more! This is my personal new favorite book that I think EVERYONE should read. This book asserts that the concept of “let them” will free you from focusing on the opinions, drama, and judgements of others (in other words, the things you can’t control) so you can focus on what truly matters: your happiness, goals, and success.
This is only 15—oops, 16—of our top business & professional development books. There are SO many more fantastic books out there. Tell us: What books have impacted the way you do business?
Figgy Favorites: 15 Must-Listen Podcasts We Can’t Stop Talking About
Kari Switala : March 18, 2025
Around The Fig, we really enjoy a good podcast. That’s why we thought it was only fitting, as part of our 15th anniversary celebration, to compile a...
Celebrating 14 Years of WFM: 14 Lessons I’ve Learned in Business
Kari Switala : March 14, 2024
I’m excited to share that Wild Fig Marketing is celebrating 14 years in business today! 🎉