Richard Branson, whose quotes you can read below, was born in 1950 in south London, in a family of aristocrats. The boy's mother, Yvette Flint, was a bright and strong woman who, even before marriage, managed to become a flight attendant without any education. For a while, she even pretended to be a pilot, wearing a male uniform. Her career ended immediately after her marriage.

Husband Edward Branson had the opposite character and led a calm and measured lifestyle. By this he set an example for his son. In addition, Edward had a rare disease - dyslexia, which prevented him from working, which led to financial difficulties.

Childhood

Richard Branson inherited this disease. The boy was disturbed constantly having difficulty with writing and reading. The strong-willed character of Yvette played a very important role in raising her son. She constantly gave him tests so that Richard would learn to adapt to difficulties. If not for his mother, he would have remained an underdeveloped boy without a bright future. But Yvette taught her son and soon his illness receded.

First business

Richard Branson organized his first business at the age of 15. It was the magazine "Student", where young people could openly express their opinions against But, despite the help of their mother and advertising contracts, after a couple of years this publication was closed. Richard was not too upset, as he already had another business - a youth assistance center. Its visitors were people with various problems: accidentally pregnant women, drug addicts, alcoholics, people with non-traditional orientation. This center has been successfully operating to this day.

Virgin

The next business that Richard Branson took up was the sale of records. At first he sent them by mail, but then he opened a store on Oxford Street, giving it a shocking name: "Virgin" (English "virgin"). Such a name was chosen for a reason. It symbolized the inexperience and ignorance of the entrepreneur in show business. However, the lack of experience did not prevent Virgin from reaching unprecedented heights and financial success.

The next step of the businessman is to conquer the world with the help of a network of "virgin companies". Cinemas came first. Then Richard became interested in cinema and sponsored the film adaptation of Orwell's book "1984", playing the main role there. Then virgin hotels, toy companies, a radio station, and an airline began to spring up.

Today "Virgin" - a corporation that includes four hundred subsidiaries. In addition to the airline, these are also fitness centers, medical services, rail transportation, beverage production, cable TV, Internet providers and much more. But that's not all. Soon the first space tour operator on the planet will be added to the honorary list. Richard dreams of launching space excursions so that ordinary people can admire the Earth from space with their own eyes.

Hobbies and books

Richard Branson, whose biography was described in this article, is fond of extreme sports. In this field, he achieved serious victories. In 1986, a businessman flew in a hot air balloon. It was a world record. And in 1991, he crossed. Even now, many people consider the entrepreneur the best master of aeronautics.

The businessman is also a writer. Branson Richard, whose books are instantly sold out from the shelves, shares in them the secrets of success, adventures, victories, difficulties and ways to overcome them. His stories are not only a subject for admiration, but also good “motivational kicks” for all lovers of easy money.

Best Quotes

1. "It takes very little capital to set up a business."

We have already talked about Branson's first business. So, he had no money at all to issue a magazine. One day his mother found the necklace and, like any decent person, took it to the police. Only no one filed a statement about the loss. Yvette sold the necklace and gave Richard several hundred bills. Thanks to this, young Branson attracted advertisers and organized the publication of the magazine.

2. "Business is an idea to improve the lives of others."

Branson says that as an entrepreneur, this motivates him greatly. "If you improve people's lives, then you are doing something worthwhile."

3. "To grow, get smaller."

Richard Branson did not grow his record business. Instead, he opened 30 record labels. The entrepreneur did not appoint top managers to control a huge number of subordinates, but came up with small organizational structures, headed by middle managers. The spirit of rivalry within the team was cordial and friendly.

According to the businessman, the success of his strategy lies in the fact that each company at any time knows exactly where it can succeed and where it risks failing. Today Virgin's revenues topped the $20 billion mark. However, Richard's unique strategy reminds everyone that this is also a group of small firms.

Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin brand, the owner of hundreds of companies, and a billionaire. Here is a list of his most striking and interesting quotes.

About business

Branson managed to build a real business empire under one brand, the name of which he came up with, even when he was a newcomer to business. A lot of time has passed since then. And now this experience is reflected in the statements of Richard Branson about business and business success. Here are the most significant ones.

Caution is important, but procrastination is dangerous.

Trying to become the biggest brand is pointless. It is much more important to become the most respected brand.

Success that comes to you once will not feed you all your life.

It is far better to promise less and deliver more than the other way around.

Don't be afraid to take calculated risks. Sometimes such a crane in the sky is better than a titmouse in the hands.

I am always happy when I am served badly. No, I'm not a masochist at all - it's just that the best of my business ideas came about when I was treated badly.

I have always treated business as a pleasant entertainment and sometimes I forget where work ends and where my personal life begins.

If you are an entrepreneur and have not made mistakes, then you are not an entrepreneur.

The lesson I learned and followed all my life was to try and try and try again - but never give up!

Attention to detail to a large extent determines the successful implementation of business ideas.

If you are able to solve problems better than your clients might expect, they will be loyal to you for life.

To hell with all of it! Take it and do it!

Never take "no" as the final answer!

About work

If today Branson is a dollar billionaire, this does not mean that he did not have to work in his life. He has dyslexia, which caused him a lot of problems during his school years, but also allowed him to develop certain character traits in himself, as well as train his memory (he memorized texts that he could not read normally). He worked for the school newspaper and was able to make it commercially successful. But most importantly, he was able to realize his talent for entrepreneurship. And it helped him in this that he always did what he wanted - that is, what he loved. Here are Richard Branson quotes about work.

There is nothing worse for me than hearing employees apologize for their employer.

Don't take on a job if you don't like it.

In no case should you reprimand those who tried their best, but made a mistake.

In an ideal work team, everyone should have at least the slightest idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhow their colleagues live.

Don't waste time. Seize your chance! Look positively at life! If you're not happy with your job, try something else.

Life is too short to do what you don't like!

About life

Although Branosn's life was not particularly upheaval and he had a good and wealthy family, he also faced certain difficulties in life. They were arranged for him by his mother, they were arranged for him by nature (a disease of dyslexia), he himself met with them in business. In many ways, all this, both together and separately, influenced the worldview of a businessman, which can be judged if you read Richard Branson's statements about life.

If every day you take a small step towards solving the problem, while seeing the whole picture, you will move in the right direction and will be able to avoid any misfortune.

The desire to complicate things is your enemy. Anyone can create something complex. But it's hard to do something simple.

The most important thing I always want to achieve is to keep the word that I gave to someone.

I'm sure you can't let the wretched word "no" stop you. If you do not have enough experience to achieve your goal, look for other ways.

Don't come to me with your problems - offer me a solution.

Good afternoon, readers of my business blog. Today, another article from the section “Business Rules: Tips from Millionaires” and Richard Branson became its heroes.
To be honest, I just learned about this incredible businessman and unique businessman just a month ago. I am sure that many do not even know who he is, and why it is worth listening to Branson's thoughts. I'll start, perhaps, with a short introduction and a story about Richard's activities, about the Virgin Group he created.
virgin group is a corporation that combines about 400 different companies. Just think about the number, 400 companies! You really need to have talent to succeed in creating so many companies, and even make them quite profitable.

Now Richard Branson is one of the richest people in Great Britain. His fortune is estimated at 5 billion US dollars. And it all started with the fact that a 20-year-old boy bought cheap records that were considered defective in stores, and sold them at retail at a higher price. Then he set up a mailing list of such records and brought the business to a new level.
But Richard does not live by business alone. Since 1985, he has been actively trying to break all kinds of world records. He started by trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean faster than anyone else in a boat, then he did it in a hot air balloon, then he flew across the Pacific Ocean and even tried to fly around the entire globe.

As you can see, Richard is a very interesting, successful and not ordinary person. I am sure that his views on business, and life in general, will bring clarity to your vision of the world of finance.

Business Rules: Don't Be Afraid to Make a Mistake

As the Chinese proverb says, "Only the one who does nothing does not make mistakes." Richard Branson also has his own opinion on this matter. In one of his interviews, he said: "If you are a businessman and have never made mistakes, then you are not a businessman."
As you understand, mistakes are inevitable, they will always be, no matter how professional. It is necessary to be able to overcome all difficulties, mistakes, and problems arising as a result of this, to perceive philosophically. Do not panic, but on the contrary, try to find motivation and incentive for development in every situation. In one of the last articles “Problems: what to do with them?” I have already talked in detail about how to behave in problem situations, and what to do so that the problem becomes an opportunity for development.
Also, the mistake of many novice businessmen is self-confidence and idealism. Most believe that everything will be as they planned, that a clear business plan is a 100% guarantee of business development.
Branson once said that taxes and death are inevitable in our lives. In business, you can only be sure of one thing: one day things will not go the way you planned. Get ready for it.

Business rules: love what you do

Don't start a business if you don't like it
Richard Branson

In almost every business book you can find advice that you should love your job, enjoy what you do. I am sure that Richard also lives by this principle.
In an interview with Forbes magazine, he said: "I treat business as a pleasant experience, sometimes I even forget where work ends and my personal life begins."

Business rules: look for opportunities in everything

I often rejoice when I get bad service. Don't think that I don't like good service or enjoy the ineptitude of others. It's just that my best ideas were born at a time when I did not receive proper service.
Perhaps one of the most interesting statements from Richard Branson. As they say, do not invent the wheel, everything has long been known. If you see a free niche, then occupy it, look for new opportunities, think about how to improve an existing project. A friend of mine created the largest and most popular flower delivery service in his city. Do you know how it all started? He ordered flowers for a girl 3 times, and all three times the company was wrong with the date, time or address. Then he decided to take matters into his own hands. Now the monthly net profit at is about 4000 dollars. Not millions, like Branson, but for a 23-year-old guy, not bad at all.

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Business rules: be able to listen and hear

I have always been ready to listen to other people's opinions and accept proposals that are much better than mine. It is this character trait that has helped me to stay in the business world for more than 40 years.
Everyone thinks that he is better than others, especially for novice businessmen. They blindly believe in their idea, even if it is delusional, do not want to listen to anyone, throw away all the tips and recommendations, and then complain that everything did not go the way they wanted. You need to be open to any help. Of course, I'm not saying that you are obliged to take every advice and every remark in your direction, but you need to be able to listen, and hear the right thing.

Business rules: risk is a noble cause

Better a tit in the hands than a crane in the sky. Who? Who came up with this proverb? If you read my article on the psychology of poverty, you immediately realized that such a proverb characterizes a poor person, someone who is afraid to take risks to achieve their goals, someone who can never give up a bad, but familiar place, for the sake of their dreams.
Richard Branson advises not to be afraid to take calculated risks. Understand that sometimes such a crane in the sky is better than an incomprehensible titmouse in the hands.

Business Rules: Live Communication First

Until now, I prefer live communication than email.
We live in a technological world, in a world where the Internet, e-mail, SMS, mobile phones are the norm. Many interview employees through various means of communication, saving their time, but losing one very important aspect. Only live communication can show you a lot - character, emotions, stress resistance, creative approach to business, etc. Therefore, if you have some important negotiations, or you are selecting a candidate for a serious position, then try to conduct all communication live.

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Business rules: be an example for your employees

Whatever your company does, each of the bosses - from the head of the department to the top manager, is sometimes required to take off his jacket and get his hands dirty.
The moment will come when you will be the leader, no matter what your business is based on. Remember that you are a leader, a role model for both competitors and your own employees. If something goes wrong, then you should not be afraid to get your hands dirty, you must take control of the situation and show how to solve difficult situations.
After I began to study in more detail the biography and success story of Branson, I never cease to be amazed at the genius of this man. How he subtly feels human psychology, how he understands the basics of relationships in the company. What is his advice worth?
“Employees must have your email address and phone number. I assure you that no one will disturb you for nothing and for no reason, but such a step will greatly stimulate them: they will know that if a situation arises where your participation is needed, then you will help them without any problems.

Business Rules: Richard Branson - Selected Quotes

All my life I have disliked cabinets. That is why I worked in three places: at home, on a yacht and in a hammock.

Even in a dressing gown, I do not cease to be a businessman, but a formal suit does not give me businesslike qualities. Always be yourself in any situation.

Failure is not a negative experience. See it as an opportunity for improvement. In the future, you will be prepared for similar situations.

Luck does not come spontaneously: you need to work on it, so to speak, to invite you to yourself.

No stupid rules can stop me. Even if I can’t do something, I try, I try to do it as efficiently as possible.

If some business ceases to please me, then I begin to think about how to change the situation. Remember that life is too short not to enjoy it.

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Live happily, and money will definitely appear - this is my slogan in life.

Life is such a thing where you constantly win or lose. Do not rejoice too much when you win, and do not be upset if you lose something. Never look back - this is already the past, it cannot be returned, but it is worth learning from past mistakes.

The advice that I would definitely like to give to a novice businessman is: “When concluding transactions, always be decent. Don't cheat and strive to win."

Morality is a very important concept in business. It's the whole point.

Be friends with your enemies - this is a great rule for both business and life in general.

Success that came once will not be able to feed you all your life.

True leadership comes when you calmly explain why you made a decision.

My life is only mine. I'm not sure that such a development strategy can work for someone else.

I won't stop until I drop.

There is nothing in life that you cannot do. I am firmly convinced of this.

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born in mid-July 1950 in an area of ​​London called Blackheath, which was so named after the British entrepreneur who founded the Virgin Group corporation, it included about 400 enterprises with a different profile. Richard Branson is the richest resident of the UK, his fortune is estimated in the spring of 2013 about 4.6 billion dollars, he is quite famous, as he is able to carry out extravagant acts and attempts to break various world records.

The Russian family of barrister Edward James Branson raised Richard, his grandfather worked as a judge of the High Court and was a Member of the Privy Council. Until the age of 13, Branson went to school, and then just attended it for two years. Difficulties that arose with studies and not very good grades were attributed to the fact that he had an inability to quickly and correctly recognize words, to master spelling skills. As a child, Richard saw himself as an entrepreneur who failed because he failed to grow Christmas trees and breed budgies. After 16 years, Branson decided to leave school and move to London, where he organized the first successful business magazine, Student. When he was 17 years old, he decided to start a charitable organization "Student Advisory Center".

After Branson traveled the English Channel, he decided to start the first business that involved sound recordings, his job was that Richard sold and delivered them to the points he was looking for. After the business began to die down a bit, he decided to make changes that would lead to big discounts on recorded music, as a result of which he opened a record store with Nick Powell, then launched the Virgin Records record label. With the money he earned, Branson bought an estate where he set up a recording studio.

In 1971, Branson was arrested and accused of selling records claiming to be an export commodity, but a large sum of money was needed to settle this issue, which his mother helped with.

The first Virgin Records release was Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, which quickly sold out and was awarded a Grammy.

In the early 90s, in order to further develop the airline, Branson had to sell the Virgin label to the company, which decided to terminate the contract for $ 1 million. In the future, Richard will regret that he sold the business, but instead he will lead V2 Records to return to his beloved music-related business.

I still prefer talking to people rather than texting.

Someone asked me a question and I answered “Yes”, and then I clarified “What was your question?”.

When talking about hiring and firing workers, some managers play the role of machos. In my opinion, this is simply disgusting ... I believe that it is necessary to dismiss employees only as a last resort, if there is no other way out.

People spend too much time in dark rooms, staring at huge screens and wading through wordy texts. That's why I try to stay in the boardrooms less often. I prefer to work with people "in the field", where, looking into each other's eyes, one cannot hide the truth and it is immediately clear whether one can rely on you.

Those of us who have managed to become rich should strive to make their money change the world for the better. You don't have to sacrifice yourself for humanity. It's about basic justice, compassion and understanding: we should live together as neighbors in a true global village where everyone can thrive.

Companies need to be more flexible with their employees… Who wants to circle the globe in two months? Great, give him a vacation, maybe at his expense. I think this kind of flexibility is very important because we spend most of our time at work.

On the expression “The customer is always right”: The phrase has caught on because marketers adore it. But most large companies have long been convinced that this is not always the case. In fact, the client is most often right, but not always. After all, he's only human.

The ability to listen, ask the simplest questions and curiosity are the most important conditions for success in business, which are often criminally underestimated.

So, if things aren't going well, don't delay. Wear a life jacket. And in the end, you will be able to assemble a team, discuss what happened and what didn’t happen, and go with it in search of new adventures. The new is sometimes smarter than the old.

Many managers constantly check their smartphones both in their free time and during meetings. This is not only ugly in relation to the audience, but also distracts, prevents you from concentrating and making the right decision.

As a child, whenever I said something bad about someone, my parents would take me to the mirror and say: “Look, you were talking about yourself.” And if you manage a company, all the more you should look for only positive qualities in each person.

My entrepreneurial spirit won't let me sit still. I assure you that most of the time I am wandering around, talking to people, asking questions, taking notes, and trying to see my business through the eyes of my customers.

I try to keep bureaucratic procedures to a minimum and remind the team that business, like life, should be fun.

When making decisions, I often rely on my inner instinct and personal experience. What am I talking about? If I had listened to accountants when making decisions, I would most likely never have become involved in air travel. The same can be said about space, and about almost all my undertakings. So my method is successful. Proven in practice.

As long as you have a small business, you are obliged to delve into the details of the work of each division ... If it grows, sooner or later you will have to decide who you are: a manager or an entrepreneur. If you are a manager, stay in business and help it grow. If you are an entrepreneur, look for a manager. Find - and be able to move forward, enjoying life and creating a new business.

In business, you need the ability to quickly make the right decisions and lead. It requires discipline and innovation. And also - a good attitude towards people, an outstanding sense of humor and, of course, good luck.

In life, you always win something and lose something. Be happy and cheerful when you win. Do not regret the loss and do not repent. Never look back - you can't change the past anyway. But I try to learn from his mistakes.

Many, if not the majority, constantly live with an eye on those around them. Most of all, it is important for them what parents, relatives, colleagues, bosses, society will think. They strive for stability, never to make mistakes, not to be a target for ridicule. Life passes, and the once desired stability turns into a routine, from which you no longer want to live! As if there are people who always and immediately get everything right. As if in a world ruled by the law of entropy, any kind of stability is possible at all!