Richard Branson Virgin Business - What is this book about?
Before writing about the book, I would like to say a few words about Richard Branson himself. Those of you who constantly read our site, more than once could come across Branson's quotes, statements, advice and recommendations. And in the heading "" we dedicated a whole to this brilliant and rather unusual businessman.
Richard Branson is called a tyrant, an eccentric, a fanatic, he loves to do something that makes the whole world laugh or wonder. Either he disguised himself as a flight attendant on a dare, served the passengers of his airline, then he crossed the Atlantic alone, then he tries to break some funny world record. But whatever he does does not diminish his merits in the world of finance and business. Yes, Richard Branson is unusual and quite interesting person, with special views on the world and everything that happens. This fact makes his book Virgin Business even more desirable.
It is worth noting that Branson is one of the richest people in the UK, and a permanent member of the list of the richest people in the world from Forbes magazine. He is the founder of the Virgin brand, which has united under its wing more than 350 motley companies - from shops selling appliances to large airlines.
« Virgin style business” is an informal course on building your own business from one of the most interesting and eccentric businessmen of our time. Even in his youth, Branson left college in order to organize his own business. He did this against the wishes of his parents and the condemnation of the public. Perhaps it was this one that served as an impetus to do everything in your own way, not in the way that others are used to seeing.
« Virgin style business” is not a boring theory that is structured and systematized in a certain way. This book is not an example of classic business books. Most likely, this is a heart-to-heart conversation, in an easy and relaxed way. Branson will tell you everything: about how his business was created, about personnel management, about doing business from initial stages and millions in profits. The author will tell everything, absolutely everything that he experienced during his forty years in business. But on own example tell you how small shop that sell records can be turned into global network with 400 offices in 30 countries and more than 50,000 employees.
« Virgin style business is a journey through the life and achievements of Richard. You will mentally fly from one country to another, from continent to continent, from the 70s, when everything was just beginning, to the 2000s, when Branson was already a billionaire. And each of these memories is a treasure trove of invaluable information that will be useful to anyone who wants to build their own business and achieve unprecedented success in life.
Richard Branson Virgin Business - Why read this book?
First of all, because of the author. If you didn’t know about Richard Branson before, then we advise you to get acquainted with his biography in more detail. This is a super personality. This is not just a billionaire with unusual knowledge and his own approach to business - this is a person who takes everything from life. He loves challenges, whatever they are. Set a new world record? Yes, easily. Give out an issue that the papers will buzz about for weeks? Easy peasy. Branson is a personality, a man with a capital letter, who is completely independent of the opinion of society and does what he likes. As a result, society perceives him as such, and begins to love him precisely for his “real essence”. He does not pretend, and this fact makes him the best.
« Virgin style business” is not part of some business plan, or the desire to earn another million. These are actionable tips, thoughts and recommendations from one of the most interesting businessmen of our time.
This book will not only give you valuable knowledge, it will charge you with energy, the desire to move, develop, set new tasks and look for non-standard ways to solve them.
Richard Branson "Virgin Business" — From the author
Business schools are a wonderful place where you can get excellent knowledge. And I am very glad that I did not study there. This does not mean that you should do the same, but the fact remains.
The whole problem is that I and education had completely different views on the world. I suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder, as they call it now, and even fate rewarded me with dyslexia. And when I was enrolled in the Stowe school, the teachers made the obvious conclusion - I'm an inattentive bummer.
Eventually, when I decided to drop out of school and start my own business, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. I think that both the teachers and the director of the school were only glad that they did not have to spend time and effort on my education. Now I often think about how my fate would have been if I hadn’t taken a risk, but continued to study, and learned about the “pluses” and “minuses” of business not from my own experience, but from the words of teachers.
In the pages of this book, which I hope you will take the time to read, I talk a lot about what important role entrepreneurs play in our world. The creativity that drives them to start and revive companies not only helps create jobs, but also solves many of the problems faced by our loved ones, society and the planet as a whole.
I have never worked a day for anyone but myself in my life. And the book Virgin style business"Written from the position of a leader, businessman, founder of many companies. However, the tips that you will find on the pages of the book will be useful to many. They are successfully used as owners own business, and ordinary employees of various companies.
It's never too late to learn. It's never too late to start living differently.
". Yes, Richard Branson - not only successful businessman, but also a person with his own special views on life, from whom there is something to learn. That is why I wanted to read his book Virgin Business, which I will tell you about today.
Richard Branson
Successful entrepreneur, founder of the Virgn Group Corporation. Known for his outrageous acts, irrepressible craving for life and adventure.
The book will be of interest not only to those who dream of starting their own business and making it successful. It will be useful to absolutely everyone: and to those who cannot decide to leave an unloved job or radically change the scope of their professional activity, and those who want to turn a hobby into a favorite job. This book is not only about business, but also about life in general - about relationships with people, about how to cope with failures and not be afraid to take risks.
Important lessons from Richard Branson's book
1. Don't be afraid to leave what is no longer profitable for you.
The Virgin Group includes 400 companies of various profiles - this is a recording studio, an airline, and an operator cellular communication, and much more. But not all of Richard's undertakings were successful: there were fails, and often. The horse is dead - get off. This proverb is perfectly applicable to business: if the business no longer brings you anything but expenses, dead nerve cells and other hell, quit it and start something else. There is nothing terrible in failures - this is what happens to any person from time to time, and the one who does nothing is not mistaken.
2. Feel free to stand out from the rest
This can be learned from Richard - a man who often amazes others with his outrageous behavior. Your business should have chips - distinctive features that will help you stand out from other companies spinning in your field. It is especially important to take this into account when you are asking for money from investors, because you have to convince people to give you funds for the project and they must be sure that they are investing in something truly unique.
3. The team is everything
People who come to success and begin to bask in the glory often forget that they have not achieved everything on their own. If you discard the wise advice of competent mentors, family members, friends and just acquaintances, you will have the most important thing - your team. She is your main resource. You fix broken appliances and buy new tables that have collapsed under the weight of office cacti and an army of coffee cups. You will earn money that you spent unwisely or simply in vain. But a talented employee who decided to leave your company, you can only replace with an even more talented one, who is not easy to find. The main goal of any entity involved in economic relations is to make a profit, but do not forget that people make money.
Virgin style business. What They Don't Teach You in Business School Richard Branson
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Title: Virgin Business. What They Don't Teach You in Business School
About the book “Business in the style of Virgin. What they don't teach you in business school - Richard Branson
This book is an informal business course from one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our day, Sir Richard Branson. In it, Branson speaks candidly about everything he knows about business, leadership and the unique atmosphere in which new products and outstanding service are born.
On the pages of the book, the legendary entrepreneur shares memories and valuable knowledge gained over forty years, during which the small record store with the bold name Virgin has grown into a huge international corporation with 400 subsidiaries in 30 countries and 50,000 employees.
This book will be invaluable to anyone who wants to build a business to be proud of. It will show you what a real entrepreneur should be and inspire you.
On our site about books, you can download the site for free without registration or read online the book by Richard “Business in the style of Virgin. What They Don't Teach You in Business School by Richard Branson in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and a real pleasure to read. You can buy the full version from our partner. Also, here you will find the latest news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginner writers there is a separate section with useful tips and recommendations interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary skills.
Quotes from Richard Branson's book Virgin Business. What They Don't Teach You in Business School
The problem rarely lies in money, much more often in dissatisfaction.
For me, creating a business means doing something that you can be proud of, bringing together talented people and building something that can seriously change the lives of those around you.
In fact, he has already taken the first step, the main purpose of which is simply to try to do something.
First, you need to clearly understand and formulate your mission. At Virgin, it is usually about shaking the foundations with more added value and high-quality service; in the case of Innocent, it is the production of quality and tasty juices that will help people lead healthy lifestyle life and enjoy it.
Secondly, the structure of the business must be successful. You should understand what you are going to do and who suits you best. Strategic partners can become your operations department, infrastructure, call center. By rallying with suppliers, you will free up a lot of resources for your core business without causing much damage to your capital.
Thirdly, put a competent team at the helm. It's usually not easy the first time. Many small businesses don't grow because they don't know how to identify team members who can't keep up. Sometimes it is necessary to remove top managers from the company who are not able to develop the business. As painful as it is, the longer you drag it out, the worse it gets.
Fourth, noble goals and ethics create a strong foundation for the company. At Innocent, they strive to change natural conditions for the better. This simple yet effective message strikes a chord in the hearts of staff and customers alike.
Fifth, no matter how big a company is, you can't underestimate the little things that make it different from its competitors. I fly our planes with manic persistence and visit our group companies with my address book to chat with the staff and check on these all-important little things. Richard Reid and his partners do the same. They regularly check everything from bottle caps that say “enjoy until a certain date” to office carpets that are artificial turf.
A good manager clearly distributes roles among team members, which allows everyone to successfully cope with their work. After empowering everyone, don't follow every step. If you get into the habit of interfering and changing the direction of large projects or otherwise interfering with the work, your people will get used to relying on you and will never reach the heights that they could achieve.
A bad school teacher or a bad boss teaches or leads by hammering their opinions into students or subordinates, while a good teacher and corporate leader does the opposite: they get opinions and ideas from their students or colleagues.
"Okay, you're the boss!" It pisses me off because 90% of the time the person actually wants to say, “I don't really agree with you, but I'll do it reluctantly because you demand it. And if it doesn't work out, I'll be the first to remind everyone that it wasn't my idea."
Regardless of the situation, your job as a leader is to get your message across: to speak simply and clearly. It's not easy, but necessary.
Money is only good for what it allows you to do and create.
Sir Freddie Laker gave a standard response to any employee who approached him with a complaint: "Don't come to me with problems, come with solutions!"
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Richard Branson
Virgin style business
What They Don't Teach You in Business School
Like a Virgin. Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School
Published with the permission of VIRGIN BOOKS LTD and Synopsys Literary Agency
The right of Sir Richard Branson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Foreword
Business schools are a great place. And yet I am glad that I did not study there (assuming, of course, that at least one educational institution would agree to take me under his wing).
The point is that we with education could never find mutual language. I suffered from a combination of severe dyslexia and what would today be called attention deficit disorder. And when I entered the Stowe school in the 60s, I was simply considered an inattentive bummer. I think in the end, everyone - from the director to the teachers - breathed a sigh of relief when I decided to quit my studies and began to realize my dream (for that time, of course) - the publication of a magazine. In general, now I often think about what would happen if I continued to study and learned all the pros and cons of starting my own business ...
It is believed that the word "entrepreneur" appeared in the XIX century. However, when I created a magazine and then opened my own record store, I had no idea that I had become a typical entrepreneur. Then the word meant nothing to me.
The Virgin group came to success in surprising and strange ways that even I can't fully trace. Sometimes I think that it was precisely because of my lack of knowledge of theory that I never did anything "the right way" and almost always could sleep at night.
In my articles, which I hope you will read, I talk a lot about the important role that entrepreneurs play in our world. The creativity that drives them to start and revive companies not only helps create jobs, but also solves many of the problems faced by our loved ones, society and the planet as a whole.
Entrepreneurs are naturally curious. That's probably why people all over the world send me tons of emails asking me how to run a Virgin-style business. Below I will answer the questions asked, and also present to your attention an excerpt from the articles I have published.
People ask me all sorts of things: how to start new business and how to close the old one; how to hire people and how to fire them and, most interestingly, about everything that is in between these poles. I have always treated business as a pleasant entertainment and sometimes I forget where work ends and where my personal life begins. The same can be said about the questions I get asked.
I have never worked for anyone but myself, and this book is written from a founder's perspective. Nevertheless, the advice I give can be useful for both business owners and employees of companies that face difficult tasks on a daily basis.
Recently in London, a British journalist asked me a bunch of questions about my business and personal life. Below is a selection of the most interesting of them. I bring it to set you in the right way.
Question: What do you think about the first moment you wake up?
Answer: Like most people. My first thought is "What time is it?" It is usually followed by: “What country am I in now?”
Q: Is there a word that can make you jump out of bed?
A: Actually there are three: “Richard, stop it now!”, uttered with the characteristic reprimand of my wife, a native of Glasgow.
Q: What is your favorite brand?
A: Of course, I'm biased. These are the Sex Pistols and Mike Oldfield, pets of Virgin Records. And, of course, Genesis.
Q: The first record you bought?
A: I'm ashamed, but it was Cliff Richard's Summer Holiday.
Q: What is the best country you have visited?
A: Difficult question. Probably Australia. I just admire the indestructible will of the Australians to live. Amazing, vibrant country.
Q: What is your favorite country?
A: Because I really enjoy living in the British Virgin Islands - UK. She has been very kind to me all these years.
Q: Three adventures that made you feel like a real adventurer?
A: Transatlantic yacht racing, hot air ballooning and kite surfing. Although I have yet to go into space, which, ironically, may be the last in my list of dangerous adventures.
Q: What legendary figure, living or deceased, would you like to meet?
World famous English businessman Richard Branson teaches an original business course. He speaks heart to heart with readers, avoiding boring theories and scientific terms. Lively and interestingly tells about business, relations with clients, partners and much more.
I didn't set out to build a business empire. I just wanted to create something that would make people feel good; I loved what I was doing and prayed that it would bring me enough money to pay my bills.
For me, creating a business means doing something that you can be proud of, bringing together talented people and building something that can seriously change the lives of those around you.
Businessmen are somewhat akin to artists. When you start a company, you start with clean slate to which paint is to be applied. A good artist must draw the smallest details. Similarly, a businessman who wants to succeed must take into account the smallest details from the very beginning. However, unlike a painting, a business cannot be finished. It is constantly evolving, and your mistakes are not so easy to paint over!
A businessman who sets himself the goal of changing the world and achieves it will surely be able to pay the bills and, in addition, get a prosperous business.
2. Be creative - change the world
Nowadays it is not easy to create a prosperous company. It does not matter what you offer the consumer - a product, service or brand. Actually, you will have to create something fundamentally different from what already exists.
Remember the most successful companies last 20 years. , Google, and rocked the world by doing something no one else had done before. But even today they continue to come up with something new.
Not everyone has the courage to strive for such heights. However, if you decide to enter an already crowded segment, you must be ready to offer customers a service that will leave no stone unturned from your competitors.
When we opened Virgin Atlantic, we came up with our own "chip", which was based on a single fact: our team really treats passengers very well. Imagine what a breakthrough idea for an airline!
3. Be proud of the amazing work of your employees
A business is nothing more than a group of people, and they are undoubtedly your most valuable asset. In fact, in most cases, your people are your product.
There is nothing worse for me than hearing employees apologize for their employer. Pride in your company creates a special level of trust and commitment that will set your business apart in a world of mediocrity and indifference.
4. Lead by listening
A good leader must be able to listen. Your point of view is undoubtedly important, but there is no point in imposing your opinion by rejecting discussion and reaching some kind of consensus. Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas and tips.
Go to the people, listen, call the employees to frankness and learn from them. As a leader, you must be able to give praise generously. Never openly criticize people, never lose your temper, and always be ready to applaud a job well done.
People thrive on praise. As a rule, they do not need to be told that they are wrong, since usually they already know about it.
5. Be visible
A good leader does not sit in his chair. I have never worked in our office (my personal office is at home) and yet I am always close to my team. It may seem that I'm always on the road, but I always have a notebook with me, in which I write down all the questions and good ideas.
When I fly Virgin Airlines, I always try to communicate with crew members and passengers and usually get a lot of reasonable offers from them. If I didn't write them all down, I wouldn't remember much. Communicate with your customers and employees whenever possible, listen to what they have to say to you (both good and bad), and turn their ideas into reality.
Many will say: “It works if you have small business". Not true. At Virgin, we strive to appoint leaders who share our vision. As a result, we are able to manage a huge corporation in the same way that a small business owner manages a family business - remaining proactive, responsive and benevolent.
Oh yeah, I still haven't answered the first question: how did the name Virgin come about. Unfortunately, this story is not as interesting as it might seem. One evening over a glass of wine, 16-year-olds and I discussed the name for a record store. Several ideas were in the air. We were all new to the business and someone suggested Virgin. This word had a taste of novelty and freshness, then it carried a feeling of some riskiness. We decided that it would attract attention, and chose it.
However, it doesn't matter how good the concept and/or brand name is. Even the best do not succeed on the first try. So, in the early 60s, a group with an easy-to-remember name - the Beatles - were sent home by at least seven record companies before one was found that agreed to take it on.
So, if you don't succeed, just remember that this is the fate of most new companies and learn from your mistakes. As the famous song says: “Start over, let it be unlucky sometimes. Don't trust despair…” And move on, forward.