Richard Branson, no stranger to taking the path less traveled, has written that, in his experience taking this less traveled path has indeed made all the difference.  His theory, in his latest article, is that in order to really succeed and grow an organisation, you need to take lots of time off.  What I think he means is that by removing himself from the day-to-day running of the various businesses he started he managed to really put people in place there to run things.  The distance, often physical, that he put between himself and the business, turned out to be the key to growth.  These managers were able to act like owner-entrepreneurs instead of CEOs working under the long shadow of the one and only Richard Branson.  With the Virgin Group, he managed to combine this with achieving an awesome work-life balance - he worked from home (Houseboat, then Manor, then Caribbean Island) and so was able to be around his family a lot.  He even took his family on business trips!

I do not know whether this is a transferable principle, in the sense that not everyone can opt to put distance between themselves and their offices.  I do not know whether this is also transferable between industries - for example is this applicable in non-profit world?

What do you think?

I just finished reading this incredible book.  Part-biography, part-inspirational, part-business book, the incredible and impressive life and achievements of Texan Billionaire Sam Wyly.  From very poor beginnings he pioneered the fields of computing and electronic commerce.... and then went on to start, aquire or build businesses from oil companies to arts & crafts shops to green energy providers and carbon exchange organisations. 

Within these pages you catch a feel for many of the insights and principles that have allowed Sam Wyly to amass a fortune, take on monopolies such as AT&T, and escape unscathed from many of the pitfalls that have plagued many other businesses in the world.

Read it and be inspired to dream!!!!!

In this year's MBA rankings drawn-up by The Economist, one country certainly makes itself heard by its absence. What is wrong with the above picture?  I'll tell you what is wrong - Where is the United Kingdom?  Oh wait, I know, the rage is all about cutting the deficit these days.  Ah yes, simply trim-out all flab and we'll be fine..... except that one morning we wake up and all talent has left the country.  Yes a massive brain-drain seeking greener grass (Or less punitive tax regimes) elsewhere.

I have just finished reading Never eat alone, by Keith Ferrazzi. Some good points are to be found in this tome, worthy of immediate application. Ferrazzi sees a world in which your network, or circle, or tribe, now occupies the place that organizations used to occupy. This fluid tribe provides value, and demands the adding of value from us. It is a manifesto for the investment of our time, and energies, into helping others - The benefit that we receive is that we are helped along to achieve our own aims and goals when we do not manipulate the tribe to achieve these.

I for one will try to not eat alone as much in future.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="Business the Richard Branson Way"] [/caption] OK so I've finished reading my four books on [wikipop]Richard Branson[/wikipop]. Not only have I survived the ordeal, but I have also found it quite enjoyable and insightful. "Business the Richard Branson Way" offers an objective study into how this remarkable man has managed to build an infinitely elastic global brand that seems to defy the best of business literature on the subject. So far, something seems to be working. This piece of work offers lessons, not only for the businessman or [wikipop]entrepreneur[/wikipop], but for anybody who is in any position of leadership. It is highly recommended. You will learn how the Branson brand:

Picks on Goliaths

Is in tune with the times

Haggles for everything and secures impressive outcomes from negotiations

Makes work fun

Stretches the brand infinitely

Leverages the power of media and news coverage

Inspires people and empowers them to draw out the best on them

Jumps on opportunities at the speed of light

Keeps everything small and nimble

Never loses the common touch

Business Stripped Bare, the third book on my Richard Branson reading palooza. Many of the examples used in this book are a rehashed version of material already found on his previous two books - even so, I would recommend this book to any aspiring entrepreneur. In-fact, read anything about this man that you can get your hands on.   He has the  knack that whenever he enters into a different market, he effectively "changes the rules of the game" within that industry.  This is more than simply being innovative or creative - it is the innate ability to create a whole new paradigm within a business sector where others are just doing business as usual.  There are very few companies that I can think of that have this ability, save for maybe Apple and Google.

His philosophy on business and money is some sort of enlightened capitalism. A real sense of responsibility comes through the pages where he is very conscious that those who have been blessed with success and wealth in life are under an obligation to help fix as much of this broken world as possible. Richard Branson really believes in the power of entrepreneurship in order to fix some of the world's most intractable problems - This really strikes a chord with me. He also oozes charisma and energy (being known as "Dr. Yes" by some in his team).  I only wish I could clone myself as him sometimes :)

Tags: Richard Branson, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Business

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="Screw it, Let's do it"] [/caption]

Just finished "Screw it, let's do it", the second of my four books on Richard Branson. This guy is an incredible agent of change in every industry that he enters. He seems to be like a walking hurricane that leaves results in its wake instead of destruction. He leaves the Virgin mark on everything he touches - a different way of doing business.

This book is very easy to read, and straight to the point. In a way supplemental to his "Losing my virginity", it reveals the lessons that have helped him build a global business empire. His formula for creativity is so revealing - he says that he just stays really positive all the time (his staff call him "Dr. Yes") and ideas just "drop into his head" (!!!!!)

The lessons that he explains in this book are the following:

Just do it!

• Believe it can be done
• Have goals
• Live life to the full
• Never give up
• Prepare well
• Have faith in yourself
• Try and try again
• Help each other

Have fun!

• Have fun, work hard, and money will come
• Don't wAste time - grab your chances
• Have a positive outlook on life
• When it's not fun, move on

Be Bold

• Calculate the risks and take them
• Believe in yourself
• Chase your dreams and goals
• Have no regrets
• Keep your word

Challenge Yourself

• Aim high
• Try new things
• Always try
• Challenge yourself

Stand On Your Own Two Feet

• Rely on yourself
• Chase your dreams but live in the real world
• Work together

Live the moment

• Love life and live it to the full
• Enjoy the moment
• Reflect on your life
• Make every second count
• Don't have regrets

Value family and friends

• Put family and the team first
• Be loyal
• Face problems head on
• Money is for making things happen
• Pick the right people and reward talent

Have respect

• Be polite and respectful
• Do the right thing
• Keep your good name
• Be fair in all your dealings

Gaia capitalism

• Leave the world a better place
• Pull your weight
• Take the long-term view
• Always consider the implications of your actions
• Big victories are made up of many small ones
• Confront the big issues, they won't go away
• Understand the situation then consider whether to fight and how
• Never lose sight of the end goal
• If something is wrong - fix it

Sex appeal

• Be passionate about the brand and make it sexy
• Use the normal to engage the enemy, the extraordinary to win
• Walk the talk
• Create excitement in everything you do
• If something needs doing, do it yourself
• Look beyond the obvious and put your a$$ on the line

Be innovative

• Nothing is impossible
• Think creatively
• The system is not sacred
• To win you have to break the rules
• Play the hand you've been dealt with
• Find another way

Do some good

• Change the world, even if in a small way
• Make a difference and help others
• Do no harm
• Always think what you can do to help

Pow! Shazam!

• Speed is the ultimate competitive weapon
• Be first in the field
• Do it now
• Keep it simple
• Cut red tape
• Keep your eye on the ball

Think young

• You've got to challenge the big ones
• Keep it casual
• Haggle: Everything is negotiable
• Have fun working
• Do the right things for the brand
• Smile for the cameras!
• Don't lead 'sheep', herd 'cats'
• Move like a bullet
• Small is beautiful
• Be a common, regular person

Richard explains how his best business ideas always come through having lots and lots of conversations with people - even when he is working through his long to-do lists. He has his entrepreneurial antennae always switched on and ideas are picked up and then developed. I look forward to reading the other two books on this Richard Branson palooza that I've embarked upon. Stay tuned for more.....

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="Richard Branson: Losing my virginity"] [/caption] I have just finished reading this page-turner!  It was a really enjoyable and inspiring read, especially as Sir Richard Branson seems to speak my heart when he writes about social entrepreneurship and of using influence, position, and wealth as a force for good and for change in the world. Sir Richard seems to be a very remarkable man.  He has the unique gift of being able to impart Virgin's DNA, its core values, to whatever endeavour he embarks on.  In all of his projects, he seems to have the knack of changing cultures and raising the high water levels.  Just reading his journey from a student activist-entrepreneur to the chief visionary behind the worldwide phenomenon that is Virgin is truly exhilarating. Like him, I strongly believe that social entrepreneurship provides a way forward for many of the third world's poverty-related problems.  If you have a heart for the marketplace and for business, I seriously recommend that you read this book - there are tonnes of business lessons in there for you.  If you happen to get fired up with his message of changing the world, then join the movement.

For those of you who have had their interest piqued by my previous post on Warren Buffett, check out this video where he is being intereviewed by Charlie Rose. This guy fascinates me - I am learning a lot from his attitude and reasoning.