RICHARD BRANSON: WHEN YOUR SERVANT IS YOUR MASTER

Everyone needs something to aim for. You can call it a challenge, or you can call it a goal. It is what makes us human. It was challenges that took us from being cavemen to reaching for the stars. --- Richard Branson

Richard Branson has intrigued me for years. Not for his knack for getting publicity but because he makes the world better. He cares. He enters established markets (e.g., music, airlines, mobile phones) and makes them more competitive. And more fun.

We look for opportunities where we can offer something better, fresher, and more valuable, and we seize them. We often move into areas where the customer has traditionally received a poor deal, and where the competition is complacent. --- Richard Branson

No Show
I expected to see Branson live at the 2007 Real Estate and Wealth Expo (see lessons learned), alongside Tony Robbins and Donald Trump. We were duped (probably by the organizers). Branson appeared on screen from his island home in a presentation that looked prerecorded. Even so, he commanded our attention.

When Old Is New

If I have not read a book before, it is, for all intents and purposes, new to me whether it was printed yesterday or three hundred years ago. --- William Hazlitt

Autobiographies let us learn from people we'll (likely) never meet. Losing My Virginity is hardly new. It was published in 1999 and runs chronologically. I listened to the audiobook, which Branson narrates. You can get a newer print edition if you prefer reading.

Misconceptions
Frankly, I didn't know much about Branson since I live a low noise life. I assumed he went smoothly from success to success, starting with Virgin Music. Hardly. He faced many obstacles and could have easily lost his businesses many times since the 1960s. When facing a hurdle, he usually made risky moves and won.

I was especially surprised to learn

• the role of the unknown Mike Oldfield
• private businesses have outside masters too
  

Mike Oldfield
The success of Mike Oldfield's debut Tubular Bells --- the first record released by Virgin --- kept the company going for years. Oldfield recorded at The Manor when the studio was not rented out to other musicians. Virgin rented most of the 20+ instruments used. Branson writes:

I set about finding all these instruments: the acoustic guitar cost £35, the Spanish guitar £25, the Fender amplifier was £45, the mandolin £15, and the triangle was a bargain at £1. The tubular bells cost £20. £20 for tubular bells??

I said, "They'd better be worth it."

They were. The record set records. The profits were reinvested, primarily in finding and supporting new recording artists.

Outside Masters

Fortunately we're not a public company - we're a private group of companies, and I can do what I want. --- Richard Branson

Public companies tend to focus on short term goals, which can hurt the long term prospects. Virgin went from private to public to raise capital. Then from public to private to act fast (no need for board approval) and experiment more (e.g., starting the Virgin Atlantic airline).

Becoming private again still meant scrutiny. This time from banks. To grow, Virgin invested heavily and used borrowed money. This gave the banks influence over what Virgin could do and how long they could continue. Cash flow becomes very, very, very important.

There are numerous examples of challenges with the banks. Virgin was not well understood by lenders or stock markets.

Confucius on Wisdom

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. --- Confucius

While others may imitate, Richard Branson learned by experience and reflection. In his autobiography, he candidly shares what he went through. This leaves us richer --- though not quite billionaires.

Links

• Richard Branson Quotations (Spark Insight)
• Customer Reviews (Amazon.com)
  
• Book Review (Ok Dork)
• Book Review (Citywire)
• £20 for tubular bells? (Richard Branson)
• Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (Dutch Progressive Rock Page)
• How to think like billionaire Richard Branson (Wily Walnut)