Inspirational People – Richard Branson
15/03/2010 by Colin Schedler
In my last post I talked about people who discourage us, as this is a problem I have encountered many times on my journey so far. In this post I wish to return to telling you about inspirational people I have discovered and studied. Sir Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur best known for his Virgin brand of businesses.
Richard Branson
If there’s one thing I really like about Richard Branson, it’s the fact that he seems to be a really happy guy. Maybe it’s a clever public display he puts on when the media’s eyes are on him or maybe he is genuinely happy. I like to think it’s the latter.
Here’s a man who seems to have an unwavering desire to succeed in everything he does whether it be attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon, start up a new business venture or put the first tourists into space. His energy and charisma are infectious yet his business acumen is what has made him the successful businessman he is today.
Richard Branson – Business Achievements
To really appreciate what this man has achieved over the years, one only needs to look to his Virgin brand. Here is a brand that is almost as recognisable as Coca Cola, yet he has managed to expand it into various sub-brands including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Mobile and Virgin Records. Richard’s decision to start an airline from scratch whilst competing with bigger, more established airlines, can be best summed up in his own words;
“My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them…from the perspective of wanting to live life to the full, I felt that I had to attempt it.”
It was with this determination and desire to achieve what he believed in, that he managed to succeed in setting up one of the world’s most successful airlines. It is this mindset too that has led him to become successful at his other ventures.
Richard Branson on Youtube
Books By Richard Branson
Despite having dyslexia, Richard Branson has written several best selling books about his success and philosophies. They are interesting, informative and very inspirational and as a huge fan of his, I highly recommend them;
Richard Branson – Giving Back
Richard Branson is a firm believer in the concept of giving and this is evident not only in his charitable work, but in the way he treats his employees. He understands that without his employees, his ideas and visions would remain just that and by treating his employees with respect and generosity, he has made the Virgin empire an exciting family to be a part of.
His successful legal case against BA in 1993 is a prime example of his generosity, where after successfully winning the case, he distributed his compensation among Virgin employees.
For me, one of the most exciting things that Richard Branson is currently involved in is the search for green fuel and combating of global warming with his Virgin Green Fund. He has also set up the Virgin Earth Challenge, a competition which, according to it’s website; will award “a prize of $25m for whoever can demonstrate to the judges’ satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.”
What We Can Learn From Richard Branson
There are numerous traits that have attributed to Richard Branson’s success and although many of us may never become as successful as him, we can at least, adopt a few of his beliefs and principles in order to make a success of our own lives.
So what makes him the successful person he has become?
- Well first of all, here is a man with genuine passion for what he does.
- He takes enormous risks, albeit calculated ones.
- He thinks big – nothing seems to be unachievable in his eyes.
- He has a network of people who have similar beliefs to him that contribute to the success of his businesses and ventures.
Richard Branson attributes a lot of his success to his ability to connect with others which is something we can all learn from. In today’s world of social media it is this trait of connecting with like-minded people that we can use to our advantage in creating wealth for success.
Colin Schedler © 2010
Good read Colin. Richard Branson is one of a kind. He’s manage to create a famous and successful persona for his brand – and help thread this persona through the Virgin network. It’s true, not all Virgin ventures are a success (Virgin Coke, Virgin Vodka, Virgin Jeans), but that doesn’t deter Sir Richard from approving further ventures.
David Moloney´s last blog ..What is a Brand Name? It’s Everything.
Hi David,
Yes he’s a good example of someone who doesn’t give up easily. I like the fact that he has very ambitious ideas and just goes ahead and gives it a go – if it fails, so what, it’s a learning experience and he moves on to the next idea. It’s the kind of attitude we should all have.
Hi Colin,
I too have always enjoyed Richard’s happy nature. I don’t think your smile can sparkle if you are not passionate about what you do, and his smile does sparkle.
There has always been a bit of debate about whether to set yourself smaller goals so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and like they are not achievable. I’m a bit like Richard…I like to set my goals high knowing that I have a better chance of succeeding if I do that.
Enjoyed the read.
Eileen.
Eileen´s last blog ..Salicylates
Richard Branson is definitely someone who has grand dreams and aims for the stars. It will be great if his space tourism idea gets up and running via Virgin Galactic.
I remember reading a profile about him which said the reason he started with wild promotions was due to lack of budget in his early days. It is certainly something which has stuck with him and become one of his hallmarks.
Tom´s last blog ..Using Affiliate Networks to Give the People What they Want
Hi Colin, Great Post.
I am amazed at the number of people I have come across who are succeeding Despite having dyslexia.
I was told because I couldn’t spell and was always putting words in the wrong place I Could not what I really wanted to do.
Well if these famous people have succeeded despite having dyslexia, then I could have done anything I had wanted.
Now I do
Hi Colin, I’m a big fan of Richard Branson. I’ve just recently read his book “Business Stripped Bare – Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur” – so inspiring. You can’t help but like the guy and everything he does – and is still doing. By the way Colin, the books in your post are not showing up at all on my computer – just empty oblong boxes?? The rest of the blog is fine. Maybe check on out a couple of computers.
Jan Littlehales´s last blog ..Raising Great Kids – Cycling
Hi Colin,
I think Richard Branson is a great business man. He is one of the persons I would love to meet and have a chat with – even so I would have to sit down and take note of some questions I would ask him, otherwise I probably would forget them.
Currently I am onto his book “Business stripped bare” and really like it. Even as a small business operator there is stuff in it that applies to me and from which I can learn.
Same as you I like his positivity, and I think he really is happy with himself and the world. It is too consistent and to heartfelt to be just an act in my opinion. And I think it’s part of his success that he has this positive feeling about himself and about what he is doing.
Thanks for a great post
Renee
Renee´s last blog ..Breaking Habits – 7 Tips How To Do It