Richard Branson – The dynamic founder & CEO of the Virgin group, with more than 400 companies under him (Starting from Student Magazine in 1968 to Virgin Galactic, a space flight company in 2014), has always had the reputation for doing things passionately with a mix of fun which has reflected in Virgins work culture world wide. He has always been very candid about sharing his failures and helping people in business and life through various self written books, events, startup contests and programs.
Most people are familiar with his rallying cry of “Screw it, let’s do it”. There are plenty more helpful insights from the smiley man with the beard.
Again and again Branson emphasises on creating a fun working environment as a way to maintain passion and build teamwork. Their working culture is so much fun that he says, “Keep in mind that business is a lot more fun when you work with people you love – it’s one of the reasons so many members of our team at Virgin end up marrying each other”.
He has been an inspiration for many, he has an almost cult like status among his followers. So we bring to you the top 20 quotes from him that will serve as a great inspiration for you!
Here are our top 20 ones for you:
A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.
Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you.
The balloons only have one life and the only way of finding out whether they work is to attempt to fly around the world.
Having a personality of caring about people is important. You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them.
Records are made to be broken. It is in man’s nature to continue to strive to do just that.
Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa and its about getting a balance.
As much as you need a strong personality to build a business from scratch, you also must understand the art of delegation. I have to be good at helping people run the individual businesses, and I have to be willing to step back. The company must be set up so it can continue without me.
Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.
I never get the accountants in before I start up a business. It’s done on gut feeling, especially if I can see that they are taking the mickey out of the consumer.
When you’re first thinking through an idea, it’s important not to get bogged down in complexity. Thinking simply and clearly, is hard to do.
Entrepreneurship is about turning what excites you in life into capital, so that you can do more of it and move forward with it.
Chance favours the prepared mind. The more you practice, the luckier you become.
Consider getting smaller in order to get bigger.
The best way of learning about anything is by doing.
Listen. Take the best. Leave the rest.
Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to keep things simple.
You can never go too far wrong by thinking like a customer who’s new to the business.
The time to go into a new business is when it’s badly run by others.
There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.
A company is people … employees want to know… am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People really need to feel wanted.
So which one was your favourite among these? Tell us in the comments below.
