6 tips for a successful business from Richard Branson

It has a 5 billion dollar assets (according to Forbes) and a group that has more than 400 companies around the world. Richard Branson, patron of Virgin, owes much of his success to his generosity: as a blogger for various business magazines, he continues to provide useful advice to readers. We have collected seven, the ones that seemed the most significant to us. Here they are.

1. If you are not proud of what you do, forget it!
«Running a business means tears, sweat, blood and a lot of caffeine. But at the end of the day he can tell you proud of what you’ve built. For me, doing a business means, first of all, building something to be proud of, putting together a group of talents to create something that really makes a difference in people’s lives ».

2. Choose the name of your company carefully
“I was talking to a group of girls one night about a name to give to a record store. We put down a number of ideas. Among these came “Virgin”, it struck me immediately because it contained all the elements of a successful business: fresh, sexy, something not yet explored ».

3. Who knows how to take risks in business
“” The brave may not live forever, but the cowards don’t live at all. ” Remember: every business has risks and success never comes from reassurance. Of course you can fail, but whoever dares fails only half if he takes his time to understand why and to learn ».

4. From a good first impression. And also a second …
«A first good impression is fundamental: you need it to bring the customer to you, but the second is equally important. Because it happens that the customer calls you for a problem to solve. Your ability to listen to him and satisfy his requests makes the difference between a business destined for success and one devoted to failure ».

5. Break the distance between you and the employees
«Employees must feel free and encouraged to express their opinions without feeling prisoners of their job: so they can work better and make better decisions. Only a motivated and enthusiastic working group builds a successful product and service. And above all a company destined to last over time “.

6. Ask for opinions: a first, a second, a third…
“You save time and money if you learn to listen to others and ask questions. Some respond to you and make you want to leave. But others can offer you the best solution to your questions. Therefore, submit your idea to as many people as you can, and study their reactions before embarking on something. “