Richard Benson is not just a billionaire. He - a celebrity of global scale, the self-sacrificing humanist who tried to make a round-the-world trip in the balloon once. Branson well understands business (it personally the fortune is estimated in 4.2 billion dollars), however he is also a good judge of entertainments and life on full. Here 15 lessons of life and business from it.
- Your age does not matter
Richard was 16 years old when he achieved the first success – with the magazine under the name Student. By 22 years it founded Virgin Records. He is living proof of what never early to begin. At the age of 61 year Branson is not burdened with questions of age – he surfboards, trying to break world records.
- Expand the horizons
Business has no borders, but it is optional to grow directly up. It is necessary to expand the horizons. The magazine created by Branson brought it into musical business. Then it grew to own label, and then opened sound recording studio and night club. Thus, he created business network in which elements strengthen each other. It is much easier to advance the actor if you have a magazine, studio and club.
- Work for free
How to nobody to the known label to sign the contract with the actor? Virgin Records suggested Mike Oldfild to use their studio free of charge. An album Tubular Bells (1973), - the best of best-sellers from Virgin Records was as a result recorded. Sometimes, to take the first steps in the industry, they need to be done free of charge.
- Be contradictory
Branson signed the contract with Sex Pistols after other large labels - EMI and A&M – refused them for their tendency to contradictory tricks and a disorder. The Sex Pistols group broke up soon after signing of the contract with Virgin Records, however this cooperation became an excellent push to development. Attempts to leave from contradictions – it is normal. However they can be applied and in own favor.
- Diversify
After success in the sound recording industry, in 1984 Branson made the decision to found Virgin Atlantic Airways airline. Since then its business extended also on such spheres as mobile communication, cinema and even own Coca! Such diversification not only retains interest in business, but also protects from take-off and falling of the industry.
- You love the business
When Branson in 1992 sold Virgin label for 500 million euros to the EMI company, he cried. Many would cry with happiness, having earned such lot of money, but Branson cried because put heart and soul in the business.
- Opportunities are constant
Opportunities as buses – one more will always come. Do not lose self-confidence if you are accompanied by failures in business. Instead – you watch closely potential opportunities.
- Be the benevolent dictator
I believe in friendly dictatorship only if I am a dictator. Nobody will accuse Branson of roughness with the employees. He even writes them personal letters. And, nevertheless, he is a dictator. If you want to be a leader – sometimes it is necessary to cross through someone's opinion.
- Success in school and success in life – different things
Richard Branson suffered from a dyslexia and struggled with an illness during training at school. The school develops some basic skills, like storing of information and following to instructions. However at school do not teach the real skills leading to success in life.
- You study in practice
It is impossible to learn, only blindly conforming to the rules. It is necessary to study on mistakes and failures. Branson created the magazine without any education in the sphere of journalism and became the most successful of businessmen from all who did not study business. Do not wait until you are rather qualified for something in life. Just do it. You will do a heap of mistakes, but it will be for you the most valuable experience.
- Be a pioneer
In 2004 Branson founded Virgin Galactic – the firm which is engaged in space tourism. So far only 430 daredevils visited an orbit flying the flag of Virgin Galactic as there is this pleasure 200000 dollars. Virgin Galactic – an excellent example of aspiration of Branson to open the new horizons in business. The pioneer in something to be hard, but in it there is also a mass of indisputable advantages.
- You look forward
Virgin Galactic is also an example of how Branson grasped the arising market. So at it was also with oil business when his company used the high prices of oil. Besides, the ecological fund Virgin Green Fund invests in development of alternative energy sources that it will potentially make huge profit in the future.
- Do not pay attention to business norms
Never before the border between business and the Prime target was so thin. About it Branson writes in the work (Screw Business as Usual) of the same name. The essence is in trying to bring the benefit to the world, but not just to earn a lot of money. With such philosophy, - he writes, - you will have a solid team, good motivation and successful business.
- Give in exchange
If I am upset with something, I in every possible way try to correct it – Branson says. Its activity is not limited to business. It is an active participant of charity programs in various spheres. After the conversation at breakfast with Al Gore about global warming, he gave 3 billion dollars on fight against the harmful phenomenon. Obviously, he feels responsibility and the ability to make something for the world.
- Rejoice to simple things
Now I like the fact that I am alive and can take a long, good bath! It is difficult to Richard Branson not to envy. He travels all over the world and communicates with influential people. Yachts and jewelry – it, of course, is good, but they will not give you satisfaction of it what you receive from simple things like health, darlings and relatives nearby and also a long, good bathtub!