Need a Magic Crystal Ball? Reading Is the Next Best Thing

The year started on shaky ground: literally, with an earthquake off the coast of Guerrero, and figuratively, with the intervention of US Forces into Venezuelan territory to apprehend Nicolás Maduro. Events like these have everybody unsettled, and the business world is no exception. While CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners would love to know with certainty what the future holds, reading remains the best alternative.

We are famously living in a VUCA world — now more than ever — defined by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. How can you drink this anxiety cocktail without getting too tipsy? I argue that by delving into the broader spectrum of business literature, you claim your right to win.

Business literature encompasses a wide spectrum, going far beyond traditional books (including their audio and digital formats). There are myriad sources of knowledge for business people, such as case studies, white papers, and blogs, or those that are not "readable," such as videos and podcasts. All of these contain relevant business content and must be considered part of the canon. Unlike (many) books, they share a common trait: they are strategically digested and shaped to help the audience "hack" knowledge and quickly beat learning curves.

Different types of business literature tell us different things: (1) what is happening, (2) what has been happening, and (3) what may happen.

(1) The news keeps us informed about what is happening.

This gives us the power of decision. In other words, information is power. Specifically, business news provides the strategic insight required to make decisions; therefore, business information is business power. This is arguably why business journalism has existed since the 15th century and why we now have countless business news outlets. We have reached a point where those who consume business news daily are a step ahead of those left in utter darkness, and where it is hard to picture a CEO going about their day without diving at least a bit into, say, Bloomberg.

Now, business journalism is diverse in its own right, ranging from the purely descriptive to the deeply investigative. Crucially, it is also defined by perspective: the same event may look very different depending on the lens or the geography of the outlet. Regardless of the angle, there is no shortage of options reporting on the reality 'out there,' ensuring that no leader needs to operate in a vacuum.

(2) Written reports tell us what has been happening.

Many firms invest in and emphasize the value of content creation via written reports. These documents are published evidence that a firm knows what it is doing, possesses experts in a certain field, and is the best choice in the market.

While transferring competitive advantage into a (mostly) free piece of research is a classic move in the inbound marketing playbook, it is also a significant contribution to collective wisdom. A prime example is the McKinsey Global Institute: by repackaging private consulting expertise for the public, they turn exclusive insights into shared knowledge that keeps compounding the more it is used.

These reports help business leaders understand trends and develop an acute sense of what to do next, as the knowledge of yesterday sheds light on the knowledge of tomorrow, and it helps them adjust their strategic vision and formulate (or adopt) new hypotheses to implement in their organizations.

(3) Risk analysis tells us what may happen.

Risk assessments, both financial and nonfinancial, help us understand the likelihood and impact of potential events. How probable is something to occur, and what would happen if it does? There are many books on the topic (or genre) of “risk,” with famous titles such as Nassim Nicholas Taleb's "The Black Swan" and Peter Bernstein's "Against the Gods," but there are also lighter versions of risk-focused business literature designed to move with agility at the same tempo as the business world.

Methodologically, this subsegment of business literature combines quantitative tools (data modeling, probabilities, stress testing) with qualitative insights (expert judgment, on-the-ground intelligence, and historical patterns). This approach makes it possible to project key considerations for strategic planning, which serve the dual purpose of minimizing risk and positioning the business for success.

So, if you are planning for a grand year, you cannot miss the Eurasia Group’s “Top Risks” for 2026, which tells you where to tread lightly with your business and financial decisions. That said, you can also follow the advice of Porter Blankly, the fictitious CEO of the “Bank of Torabundo” in Paul Murray's novel "The Mark and the Void," to "think counterintuitive," and you may even find great hidden opportunities within the risks.

The vastness and importance of this content made it necessary to create a dedicated space for it, which is precisely why we promote it at the Business Book Fair. We aim to connect business leaders with the best content, including business literature at large, not because we can promise you a view into the future, but because it will give you a better grasp on how to navigate the world.

So, yes, the world is shaky, but keep calm — and keep on reading.