Photo Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images www.cnn.com
Sir Richard Branson loves to take risks and make bets. He says that this mindset
is what keeps his company and employees from getting stuck in a rut. Ever since he
was about 4, and took a bet from his Auntie Joyce that he couldn’t learn to swim by the
time they returned home from a vacation, his passion for pushing through challenges and
making bets has kept him going.
In his article for entrepreneur.com, Branson explains that all these challenges he
has taken throughout his life have taught him “it is important to try things that might not
work, and then improvise solutions along the way. I’ve found that attempts to break
records can result in technological leaps forward.” Talking about his plane the Virgin
Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which flew nonstop around the globe without refueling in 2005. The
plane was made out of carbon fiber, making it much lighter than any of the other plane
manufacturer’s aircrafts that were using heavy materials. After his successful trip in the
GlobalFlyer, Boeing and Airbus both started to use carbon fiber in the manufacturing of
some of their aircraft, which in turn is likely to dramatically reduce the carbon output of
the airline industry in the future (Branson).
In May of this year (2013) Branson honored a bet made with the CEO of AirAsia,
Tony Fernandes. Both men had poorly performing Formula One teams, and they bet
that “the owner of the team that finished lower in the standings would have to work as a
cabin crew member on the other’s airline”. As you can see by the photo above, Branson
lost, but also used the opportunity to raise more than $300,000 for the Starlight
Children’s Foundation. “…Aside from any business concerns, one of the main reasons
my colleagues and I undertake any adventure is because it’s fun, whether it’s a bet that
ends with me serving drinks to passengers in a skirt or whether it’s one that leads to the
creation of a company that transforms the space industry. Should you say yes the next
time somebody proposes a challenge? You bet!” (Branson).
What does your company do to get out of the rut? How do you keep your employees
motivated and fresh? Let us know!
No comments:
Post a Comment