| The second of my 'Spotlight on a Millionaire' series | | | | £500k paid by British Airways for alleged libel, |
| focuses on Sir Richard Branson. Sir Richard has | | | | among his employees. |
| demonstrated that anyone could be a successful | | | | He received his knighthood in 1999 for his services to |
| entrepreneur with the right attitude and mindset. OK, | | | | entrepreneurship. A man who never rests on his |
| so he's a billionaire now, but the same principles apply. | | | | laurels, he has been involved in several world record |
| In 2008, Forbes Magazine named Sir Richard among | | | | attempts, including crossing the Atlantic and Pacific |
| the 250richest people in the world. Born on July 18 | | | | oceans by sea and air and circumnavigating the globe. |
| 1950, the young Branson suffered from dyslexia and | | | | Recently, he has worked with Nelson Mandela and |
| consequently, struggled academically. However, he | | | | musician Peter Gabriel to appoint prominent global |
| identified his key strengths at a very early age. That | | | | leaders to form a group known as The Elders, |
| skill was his ability to relate to people effortlessly and | | | | tasked with finding solutions to some of the world's |
| genuinely. | | | | long standing conflicts. |
| Sir Richard came from a reputable family with both | | | | Several lessons can be learned from the |
| father and grandfather working in the judiciary. That | | | | achievements of Sir Richard Branson. Firstly, his lack |
| did not deter him from starting his entrepreneurship | | | | of academic achievement shows that we all have |
| selling records out of the trunk of his car. | | | | weaknesses, even the most successful |
| With hard work and a good team around him, he | | | | entrepreneurs. However, we can overcome these |
| soon graduated to owning a record store in Oxford | | | | weaknesses by focusing on our key strengths. His |
| Street, London. He also co-owned the record label, | | | | was relating to people in a positive way, |
| Virgin Records which he sold in 1992 to grow his | | | | demonstrated by his tremendous generosity towards |
| Virgin Airline business. Subsequently, he has entered | | | | his employees mentioned above. Secondly, the best |
| the railway industry and continues to grow his airline | | | | entrepreneurs are those who demonstrate leadership |
| business. For example, recently, the entrepreneur | | | | - the better your leadership, the more likely you are |
| merged with SN Brussels Airline and has also formed | | | | to achieve results. Thirdly, a successful entrepreneur |
| a brand new national airline in Nigeria, Virgin Nigeria. | | | | does not sit back and admire his achievements but |
| In 1992, Sir Richard demonstrated his people touch | | | | instead is always looking for new challenges. |
| by splitting an out of court settlement of over | | | | Watch out for the next 'Spotlight on a Millionaire'. |