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Virgin Boss, Richard Branson Reveals 15 Secrets to Success.

Published

9 years ago

May 21, 2017

ACCORDING to information scooped from an online magazine – FORTUNE, Richard Branson is one of the most recognizable and accomplished entrepreneurs in the world. The Virgin Group founder has managed multiple companies and built a fortune of $5 billion, according to Forbes. What’s even more remarkable is that the 66-year-old magnate was a high school dropout.

Although there is no one secret to business success, following the strategies of the world’s most successful people can help you get ahead. Here are 15 of the best Richard Branson tips to build a great business and life.

1. Dare to be brave

In his book, “Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School,” Richard Branson wrote, “The brave may not live forever — But the cautious do not live at all.”

It takes bravery to reach for your dreams, as doing so involves a certain degree of risk. However, Branson reminds entrepreneurs that a bumpy journey is worthwhile if you’re headed to a desirable destination. He suggests that aspiring business professionals demonstrate courage in pursuit of their goals.

2. Be an individual

The Virgin Group founder wrote on his blog, “No two successful entrepreneurs are the same. In fact, it’s their individuality and different ways of thinking that make them successful.”

Study the habits of billionaires like Branson, and you’ll quickly see that these successful people approach business and problem solving in numerous ways — never afraid to go against the grain. Still, you can learn from the traits of those who came before.

Branson says that successful entrepreneurs take deliberate risks, learn from their missteps, see the big picture, know when to delegate and communicate well with those around them.

3. Be punctual

If you’ve seen the occasional photo of Branson jumping out of a car or running to get to his next appointment, it’s probably because the billionaire hates being late. He think it’s rude and disrespectful, no matter your station in life.

As Branson wrote on his blog, “Whether it is a meeting, a flight, an appointment or a date, it’s important to ensure you are there when you say you will be there. This may feel like an old-fashioned tip to give, but it has served me well for five decades in business. All you have in business is your reputation — so it’s very important that you keep your word.”

Show up to meetings on time and show your co-workers and clients they can trust you with matters both small and large.

4. Be a hustler

Top business leaders know that few things in life come free. Whether you want to start your own company or take your business to the next level, it’s important not to rely on handouts. Instead of sitting idly by waiting for their big breaks, savvy entrepreneurs are proactive and seize opportunities.

In his book “Losing My Virginity: How I’ve Survived, Had Fun and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way,” Branson said, “To be successful, you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running.”

5. Don’t try to be something you’re not

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your beliefs and lose who you are to achieve success in life.

Said Branson, “To me, business isn’t about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It’s about being true to yourself, your ideas and focusing on the essentials.”

After all, it doesn’t matter how successful you are in business if you don’t have the life that you want. By focusing on your goals and staying true to your core beliefs, you can accomplish what you desire without losing yourself along the way.

6. Don’t fall victim to “necessary evils”

As an aspiring entrepreneur, you might assume that succeeding in business means doing things you’re not proud of on occasion. However, Branson doesn’t believe in necessary evils.

“Most ‘necessary evils’ are far more evil than necessary,” said Branson in his book, “Losing My Virginity.”

While an action might seem to benefit your business in the short term, in the long run it could affect your company’s reputation and your relationships with peers and customers. For best results, think long term and avoid doing something today that you’ll be ashamed of tomorrow.

7. Dream big

Achieving greatness means focusing on change and innovation. To that end, Branson encourages entrepreneurs to follow their dreams, no matter how crazy they might seem to others.

Branson wrote in his blog, “Don’t be self-conscious about dreaming, or about people thinking you’re too idealistic and not serious enough. Don’t allow your self talk to be judgmental. Look at the world with wide-eyed enthusiasm, believe you are more powerful than the problems that confront you and dream big.”

Naysayers might criticize you for dreaming large, but you’ll be the one laughing when your dreams become realities.

8. Give back

It can be difficult to sustain success if your sole concern is cash.

Said Branson in a Virgin.com article, “The brands that will thrive in the coming years are the ones that have a purpose beyond profit.”

Think about how you and your company can make a difference in the lives of customers and co-workers. You don’t have to be worth billions to give back, either. A simple act of kindness can boost your reputation while bringing rewards beyond the financial.

9. Be a good listener

You can’t be a good problem solver without being a good listener.

Said Branson, “To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.”

A recent Harvard Business Review study confirms that listening well means being active in the conversation. In fact, the best listeners are those who ask follow-up questions that offer insight or promote discovery. Be curious and open-minded, and you might just find your next adventure.

10. Be willing to fall

Learn from your failures, and you’ll gain the aptitude to succeed.

As Branson wrote in his book, “Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur,” “You learn by doing and by falling over, and it’s because you fall over that you learn to save yourself from falling over.” Branson and his colleagues were newcomers to the business world when they created Virgin — hence the name. They did things their way rather than following a rulebook. And like any new business, there were a few stumbles along the way. According to Branson, those mistakes helped the company grow into what it is today.

11. Share the spotlight

In the business world, achieving success often means finding individuals who are just as passionate as you about achieving your goals.

“I’ve never been the best person at doing every job,” Branson said in a blog post. “Finding the spotlight isn’t about standing in it. There’s so much to be gained from working with people who support each other to achieve great things.”

Don’t be afraid to share your vision with others or ask for help when you need it. The right people can help you achieve more than you would have alone.

12. Learn to say yes

Branson’s staff gave him the nickname “Dr. Yes” for his openness to new ideas.

In his book, “Screw It, Let’s Do It,” he wrote, “If something is a good idea, my way is to say ‘Yes, I’ll consider it’ — and then to work out how to make it happen. Of course, I don’t say yes to everything. But what is worse: making the occasional mistake or having a closed mind and missing opportunities?”

Be an opportunist rather than a naysayer and boost your odds of bringing great ideas to fruition.

13. Be happy

Success means different things to different people. While some entrepreneurs focus only on building their fortunes, Branson recommends focusing on happiness as well.

“It’s a common misconception that money is every entrepreneur’s metric for success,” he wrote on his LinkedIn blog. “It’s not, and nor should it be.”

The real key to success is happiness. Rather than his monetary success bringing him happiness in life, Branson says that his happiness has enabled him to achieve great success and wealth.

Stop and ask yourself if you’re happy. If not, find that happiness.

14. Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself could save you from career burnout, says Branson.

The Virgin Group entrepreneur wrote on his LinkedIn blog, “When I’m asked: ‘What’s the key to success in business?’ my answer can differ depending on the subject at hand — delegation, people, learning from failure, etc. — but when it comes down to it, the key is you. The simple fact is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of business.”

Branson exercises every day, no matter where he is or what he’s doing.

“A healthy body equals a healthy mind, and a healthy mind takes care of business,” he said.

15. Find what excites you

Business leaders often stress the need to achieve a positive work-life balance. However, for Branson, work and play don’t have to be at odds with each other.

He wrote on his LinkedIn blog, “If a new business opportunity or project doesn’t excite me, and if it’s not something with which I can have a lot of seriously creative fun, then I’d rather pass on it and move right along. Life’s too short to waste your time doing things that don’t light your fire.”

If you don’t have passion for what you’re doing, consider directing your attention and energy elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on GoBankingRates.com

Related Topics:Richard Branson Virgin Group

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Oyo: Oseni Donates 500KVA Transformer, N10m to Baptist Conference

Published

18 hours ago

August 26, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated a 500KVA transformer and N10 million in support of the 14th Annual Conference of the Ibadan Baptist Conference.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the donations on Tuesday while addressing participants at the conference, which was held under the theme, “By His Spirit.”

Speaking at the event, Oseni, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the Baptist Conference for giving him the opportunity to address the gathering. He commended the church for its contributions to the spread of the gospel and its impact on education, humanitarian services and other areas of human development.

The lawmaker said the challenges facing society could not be overcome through human efforts alone, stressing the need for divine guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Our efforts are important, but human efforts alone are not enough. We need the direction of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our individual lives and in the affairs of our communities,” he said.

Oseni urged the congregation to combine faith with responsible action, saying lasting transformation could only be achieved when individuals and communities sought divine direction while taking practical steps to address their challenges.

He also encouraged Christians to take greater interest in politics and governance, noting that everyone votes remained an important instrument for determining the quality of leadership in the country.

According to him, “Votes count in Nigeria. Therefore, Christians must not remain on the sidelines. We must participate in politics, contribute ideas and collectively seek solutions to the challenges confronting our society. Governance is about the people and the delivery of services that improve their lives.”

The Oyo South senatorial candidate also solicited support for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying leaders should be judged by their commitment to serving the people. He said the participation of responsible citizens in politics was necessary to promote good governance and ensure that public offices were used for the benefit of the people.

Quoting Proverbs 29:2, Oseni said, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” He added that such rejoicing should be reflected in improved quality of representation, education, electricity, potable water, empowerment, healthcare, security, infrastructure, economic opportunities and good governance.

He said, “When the people have quality representation and can see the impact of government in their daily lives, that is when they will truly rejoice. Our people deserve access to good education, healthcare, potable water, electricity, security, infrastructure and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.”

Oseni further urged the congregation to remain united and continue to pray for the country and its leaders, particularly those entrusted with public responsibilities. He appealed to leaders at all levels to always seek wisdom and do what was right in the interest of the people, while assuring the people of his continued commitment to quality representation and service to humanity.

In his remarks, the President of the Ibadan Baptist Conference, Rev. Oyekola Bamidele, commended Oseni for his performance in office and his commitment to humanity.

Oyekola described the lawmaker as “one of our own,” acknowledging his contributions to the development and wellbeing of the people.

The Conference President subsequently invited church leaders, elders and members of the congregation to join him in prayers for Oseni, committing his leadership and future political ambition into the hands of God.

(C) Mega Icon Magazine

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Presidency Backs World PR Forum, Onanuga Urges Better Nigeria Image

Published

6 days ago

August 20, 2026

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The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the 2026 World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance on Wednesday when the planning committee of the forum visited him at the State House, Abuja.

The delegation was led by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku.
The forum, which has the theme,

“Deepening Responsible Communications,” is expected to attract about 3,000 delegates from 126 countries.
Onanuga said the hosting of the global event was a major opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its culture and present the country’s story to the international community.

He, however, expressed concern about the negative picture of Nigeria often presented by some Nigerians, especially on social media.

According to him, the forum should be used to correct misconceptions about the country and give foreign visitors a better understanding of Nigeria.

“You see, as a Nigerian, I always feel very odd when you read online the kind of things our people put out in the public space. They say negative things about this country,” Onanuga said.

He added, “This is a great opportunity for us to correct those things of concern to people. For me, I’ve seen the conference as something that will be good for our country, and it should be supported.”

Earlier, Neliaku said the delegation visited Onanuga to seek the support of the Presidency for the successful hosting of the forum.

He said Nigeria was the first African country to secure the hosting rights, adding that the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Neliaku noted that Mexico, India and Germany had hosted the forum at different times.

He disclosed that participants at the Abuja event would sign an agreement to be known as the “Abuja Declaration.”

The NIPR president also announced that the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, would deliver the keynote address at the forum.

He added that President Bola Tinubu would receive a Lifetime Award of Excellence in Reforms during the event.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Suleiman Haruna, said preparations were already in top gear.
Haruna said the committee was working with media organisations and security agencies to ensure a successful hosting of the delegates.

Also speaking, a member of the committee and Director-General of Strategic Communications to the Nasarawa State Government, Yakubu Lamai, disclosed that the state government was building a Public Relations University.

He said the project was part of efforts to strengthen the public relations profession and boost confidence in Nigeria among international participants.

A veteran broadcaster and member of the delegation, Moji Makanjuola, said the forum would be inclusive, with women and persons with disabilities adequately represented.

Makanjuola appealed to the Presidency to support the event, stressing that Nigeria must be ready to receive participants from around the world.

“We have to be ready as Nigerians to receive the world; it is a Nigerian thing, it is not for the Ministry,” she said.

The World Public Relations Forum is expected to bring together public relations practitioners, communication experts, policymakers and other stakeholders from across the world to discuss responsible communication and the future of the profession.

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FG adds 208MW to national grid, upgrades Ijora, Apapa substations

Published

1 week ago

August 18, 2026

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The Federal Government has commissioned upgraded transmission substations at Ijora and Apapa Road in Lagos, adding a combined 208 megawatts of bulk transmission capacity to the national grid.

The projects, inaugurated by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, are expected to boost electricity supply to major industrial, commercial and residential areas across Lagos.

At the Ijora 132/33kV transmission substation, two new 100MVA transformers have raised the installed capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, providing an additional 112MW of bulk transmission capacity.

The upgrade is expected to improve power supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities within the franchise area of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

At the Apapa Road transmission substation, two new 60MVA transformers and modern Gas Insulated Switchgear were installed and energised, increasing the facility’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA and adding another 96MW to the transmission network.

The Apapa project is considered particularly important because the area hosts major ports, maritime businesses, logistics companies, warehouses and manufacturing industries. The additional capacity is expected to increase the bulk electricity available to EKEDC for distribution to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and surrounding communities.

Speaking at the commissioning, Tegbe said the projects were part of the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle structural challenges in the nation’s electricity sector.

He said expanding transmission capacity was essential to ensuring that electricity generated was effectively delivered to areas where demand was highest.

According to him, rapid population growth, industrial expansion and increased commercial activities had put considerable pressure on existing power infrastructure, resulting in suppressed load and constrained electricity supply.

Tegbe said reliable electricity remained central to Nigeria’s economic transformation, adding that the administration’s ambition of building a $1tn economy could not be achieved without adequate and dependable power supply.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, described the projects as a significant investment in strengthening the country’s transmission network. He said the Apapa project was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, while the Ijora intervention received support from the World Bank in partnership with TCN.

Abdulaziz called for similar interventions to rehabilitate and upgrade other critical sections of the national transmission network. He said continued investment in the network was necessary to ensure that improvements in power generation translated into better supply for homes and businesses.

The Federal Government said the additional 208MW would improve grid stability and strengthen electricity supply to some of Lagos’ most important commercial and industrial corridors, with the projects expected to support businesses and communities that depend heavily on reliable power.