Book Business in VIRGIN style in a brief summary. Business in the Virgin style
" Yes, Richard Branson - not only successful businessman, but also a person with his own special views on life, from whom there is a lot to learn. That’s why I wanted to read his book “Business the Virgin Style,” which I’ll tell you about today.
Richard Branson
Successful entrepreneur, founder of the Virgn Group corporation. Known for his shocking actions, irrepressible thirst for life and adventure.
The book will be of interest not only to those who dream of opening their own own business and make it successful. It will be useful to absolutely everyone: those who can’t 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 job they love. This book is not only about business, but also about life in general - about relationships with people, 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 give up something that no longer brings you benefits.
Virgin Group includes 400 companies of various profiles - this is a recording studio, an airline, a cellular operator, and much more. But not all of Richard’s undertakings were successful: there were failures, and often. The horse is dead - get off. This proverb is perfectly applicable to business: if the business no longer brings you anything except expenses, dead nerve cells and other hell, quit it and start something else. There is nothing terrible about failures - this is something that happens to any person from time to time, and those who do nothing make no mistakes.
2. Don't be shy to stand out from the rest.
You can learn this from Richard, a man who often amazes others with his shocking behavior. Your business should have features - distinctive features that will help you stand out from other companies operating in your field. This is especially important to consider when asking investors for money, because you need to convince people to give you funds for the project and they need to be sure that they are investing in something truly unique.
3. The team is your everything
People who achieve success and begin to bask in the glory often forget that they did not achieve everything on their own. If you discard the wise advice of competent mentors, family members, friends and just acquaintances, you will be left with the most important thing - your team. She is your main resource. You'll fix broken equipment and buy new desks that have collapsed under the weight of office cacti and armies of coffee cups. You will earn money that you spent unwisely or simply in vain. But you can only replace a talented employee who decided to leave your company 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.
Richard Branson
Business in the Virgin style
What they won't teach you in business school
Like a Virgin. Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School
Published with permission from VIRGIN BOOKS LTD and the literary agency "Synopsis"
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
Preface
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 their wing).
The fact is that education and I could never find a common language. I suffered from a combination of severe dyslexia and what today would be called attention deficit disorder. And when I went to school at Stowe in the 60s, I was simply considered an inattentive slacker. 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 (at that time, of course) - publishing a magazine. In general, I now often wonder what would happen if I continued to study and learned all the pros and cons of starting my own business...
The word “entrepreneur” is believed to have appeared in the 19th century. However, when I created the magazine and then opened my record store, I had no idea that I had become a typical entrepreneur. That word didn't mean anything to me back then.
The Virgin group of companies came to success in surprising and strange ways that even I cannot fully trace. Sometimes I think that it was precisely because of insufficient knowledge of theory that I never did anything “properly” and was almost always able to sleep peacefully at night.
In my articles, which I hope you will read, I talk a lot about the important role entrepreneurs play in our world. The creativity that drives them to start and revive companies not only helps create jobs, but also helps solve many of the problems facing our loved ones, society and the planet as a whole.
Entrepreneurs are naturally curious. This is probably why people from all over the world send me tons of letters asking me how to run a business “Virgin style”. Below I will answer the questions asked, and also present to your attention an extract from the articles I have published.
People ask me all sorts of things: how to get started new business and how to close the old one; how to hire people and how to fire them and, most interestingly, about everything that lies between these poles. I have always treated business as a pleasant entertainment and sometimes I forget where work ends and where personal life begins. The same can be said about the questions that are asked to me.
I have never worked for anyone but myself, and this book is written from the perspective of a company founder. However, the advice I give can be useful to both business owners and company employees who face difficult challenges every day.
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’m bringing it here to put you in the right frame of mind.
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 of them: “Richard, stop this now!”, uttered with the characteristic accent of my Glaswegian wife.
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: 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 simply admire the ineradicable will of Australians to live. An amazing, cheerful 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 true adventurer?
A: Transatlantic yacht racing, hot air ballooning and kitesurfing. Although I have yet to fly into space, which, ironically, may be the last on the list of my dangerous adventures.
Q: Which legendary figure, living or deceased, would you like to meet?
O: Are you ready to bring them back to life to meet me? Then with Christopher Columbus, who, among other things, was the first to set foot in the British Virgin Islands, or Sir Francis Drake. I would like to become a great explorer like him.
Q: Who do you consider your teacher?
A: Father and mother. They have had a huge impact on my life.
Q: What is the wisest saying you have ever heard?
A: See only the good in people. And if I may be allowed to offer a second option - “Only a fool always stands his ground.”
Q: What is your favorite song?
A: My Way by Frank Sinatra. Were you expecting something cooler? Especially from a man who owned the biggest record company in the world?
Q: Have you ever been confused with someone?
A: Quite often. One day a girl came up to me and said, “You look a lot like Richard Branson.” I nodded and said, “Thank you.” She continued: “You need to go to a body doubles agency. You probably won’t earn as much as he does, but it will still be a fortune!” And I'm always mistaken for Brad Pitt. Just kidding!
Q: If you were given $60 to start your business, what would you do with it?
A: If I were famous, I would sign every dollar and sell them for $20. Then I would sign the twenties and sell each one for $50 and so on. They say nothing brings as much money as money!
Q: Is there anything you would like to change about yourself?
A: Age. I would like to go backwards, not forwards.
Q: What do you love and hate?
A: I love being with my family. And I hate the circumstances that prevent me from spending more time with her. By the way, I hate the word “hate.” There's too much of that feeling in him.
Q: What makes you cry?
A: I cry from happiness or sadness. My kids always take a pack of tissues with them when we go to the movies! And in many countries, for example in Africa, I saw a lot of things that would make anyone cry.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: I'm a happy person. I always laugh. I love people, life, good jokes. I really agree that laughter ennobles the soul.
Q: What has been the biggest influence on your success?
A: The people who have contributed to Virgin all these years and made it what it is today. Of course, there was some luck, but I believe that it doesn’t just come into your hands - you need to work at it.
Q: Your key to success in three words?
A: People, people, people.
Q: Do you have any other wishes?
A: I want grandchildren, and so does my wife. Let's spit!
Q: What keeps you going?
O: That's it! I love my job, I love people and the opportunity to make a difference. I guess I won't stop until I fall. Why? I'm enjoying it all too much.
Q: What irritates you?
A: Negative. People who see only the bad in others, whose glass is always half empty. And I can't stand gossip!
Q: Are you stressed?
A: Not particularly. I do a lot to solve problems, and if I fail, I quickly pull myself together.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: It used to be parties, but now they don't happen often. Now I very rarely wake up at night. I sleep like a baby.
Q: What are you most afraid of?
A: Like most people, I am afraid of illness in my family. What I can't control.
Q: Are you ticklish?
A: I'm afraid of tickling more than anything else in the world. Although one of the biggest unsolved mysteries is why you can’t tickle yourself.
Q: What brings you happiness?
A: Achievements to be proud of, especially if it is considered impossible.
Q: Which of the Seven Dwarfs would you be?
A: Is there anyone there nicknamed Zhivchik? No? Then I will choose Lucky.
Q: Was there an event in your life that changed it?
A: I survived the fall hot air balloon and in a yacht wreck. I also met Nelson Mandela. This is an absolutely amazing person; meeting him is a great honor for me.
World famous English businessman Richard Branson teaches an original business course. He speaks heart to heart with readers, avoiding boring theories and scientific terms. It talks about business, relationships with clients, partners and much more in a lively and interesting way.
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 I prayed that it would make me enough money to pay my bills.
For me, creating a business means doing something you can be proud of, uniting 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 a blank slate to paint on. A good artist must draw the smallest details. Likewise, a businessman who wants to succeed must take into account the smallest details from the very beginning. However, unlike the picture, it is impossible to end a business. It is constantly evolving, and your mistakes are not so easy to paint over!
A businessman who sets a goal to change the world and achieves it is likely to be able to pay the bills and also have a prosperous business.
2. Be creative - change the world
It's not easy to create a thriving company these days. It doesn’t matter what you offer the consumer - a product, service or brand. Actually, you will have to create something completely different from what already exists.
Consider the most successful companies of the last 20 years. , Google, and shocked the world by doing something no one 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, when you decide to enter an already crowded segment, you must be ready to offer customers services that will leave no stone unturned from your competitors.
When we opened Virgin Atlantic, we came up with our own “trick”, 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 your employees' amazing work.
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.
To me, there is nothing worse than hearing employees apologize for their employer. Taking pride in your company creates a 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 a good listener. Your point of view is undoubtedly important, but there is no point in imposing your opinion, rejecting discussion and reaching some kind of consensus. No one has a monopoly on good ideas and advice.
Go among the people, listen, challenge employees to be frank and learn from them. As a leader, you must be able to give praise generously. Never openly criticize people, don't lose your temper, and always be ready to applaud a job well done.
People thrive on praise. Typically, they don't need to be told that they are wrong, because they usually already know 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 constantly close to my team. It may seem like I'm always on the go, but I always have a notepad with me where I write down all my questions and good ideas.
When flying Virgin Airlines, I always try to communicate with the crew and passengers and usually get a lot of reasonable suggestions 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 tell you (both good and bad), and put their ideas into action.
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 the same way a small business owner manages a family business - being proactive, responsive and friendly.
Oh yeah, I still haven't answered the first question: how the name Virgin came about. Unfortunately, this story is not as interesting as it might seem. One evening, over a glass of wine, some 16-year-old boys and I were discussing a name for a record store. There were several ideas in the air. We were all new to the business and someone suggested Virgin. This word had a taste of newness and freshness, then it carried a feeling of some risk. We decided it would attract attention and chose it.
However, how good the concept and/or brand name is is not as important. Even the best don't succeed on the first try. So, in the early 60s, a group with an easy to remember name - the Beatles - was sent home by at least seven record companies before they found one that agreed to take it on.
So, if you don't have success, just remember that this is the fate of most new companies, and learn from your mistakes. As the famous song says: “Start over, may you be unlucky sometimes. Don’t trust despair...” And move on, forward.
The book “Business the Virgin Style” is an informal business course from one of the most successful entrepreneurs our days - Sir Richard Branson. In it, Branson frankly reveals 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 the memories and valuable knowledge that he acquired over forty years, during which a small record store with the bold name Virgin turned into a huge international corporation with 400 divisions in 30 countries and with 50 thousand employees.
Business the Virgin Style is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to build a business they can be proud of. It will show you what a true entrepreneur should be and inspire you.
Preface
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 their wing).
The fact is that education and I could never find a common language. I suffered from a combination of severe dyslexia and what today would be called attention deficit disorder. And when I went to Stowe School in the 60s, I was simply considered an inattentive lazy person. 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 (at that time, of course) - publishing a magazine. In general, I now often wonder what would happen if I continued to study and learned all the pros and cons of starting my own business...
The word “entrepreneur” is believed to have appeared in the 19th century. However, when I created the magazine and then opened my record store, I had no idea that I had become a typical entrepreneur. That word didn't mean anything to me back then.
The Virgin group of companies came to success in surprising and strange ways that even I cannot fully trace. Sometimes I think that it was precisely because of insufficient knowledge of theory that I never did anything “as expected” and was almost always able to sleep peacefully at night.
In my articles, which I hope you will read, I talk a lot about the important role entrepreneurs play in our world. The creativity that drives them to start and revive companies not only helps create jobs, but also helps solve many of the problems facing our loved ones, society and the planet as a whole.
Entrepreneurs are naturally curious. This is probably why people from all over the world send me tons of letters asking me how to run a business “Virgin style”. Below I will answer the questions asked, and also present to your attention an extract from the articles I have published.
People ask me about a variety of things: how to start a new business and how to close an old one; how to hire people and how to fire them and, most interestingly, about everything that lies between these poles. I have always treated business as a pleasant entertainment and sometimes I forget where work ends and where personal life begins. The same can be said about the questions that are asked to me.
I have never worked for anyone but myself, and this book is written from the perspective of a company founder. However, the advice I give can be useful to both business owners and company employees who face difficult challenges every day.
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’m bringing it here to put you in the right frame of mind.
Business in the Virgin style - Richard Branson (download)
(introductory fragment of the book)
