Richard Branson: you can't do it all
- By Jack Preston -
- Sep 21, 2012
Richard Branson has spoken of the need for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the rich sources of information available to them, shunning the idea of going it alone.
“The career path of an entrepreneur is tough. It involves a lot of hard work, sacrifice and risk, and it can be very lonely. When you hit a rough spot or encounter a problem you don’t know how to solve, it can be difficult to figure out where to find information and who to ask for help, and you can get into trouble,” wrote the Virgin Group Founder in the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian.
“We all make silly mistakes from time to time, but the bottom line is that entrepreneurs should seek input from the start. You will need advice on how to improve your business, beginning on the first day, and throughout the rest of your career. When your prospective business is still in the planning stages, it can be difficult to understand how best to differentiate your product or service from the competition.”
“Having your mother pay your bail money isn’t something you would ever want to happen, but I was very grateful when she did!”
So who should fledgling businesses and young entrepreneurs turn to in a time of need? According to Branson there are many avenues to explore, with customers, competitors, members of staff, quality newspapers, blogs and business books all full of invaluable insights.
Although according to Branson, there is one person you should never forget to consult: “Some of the best business lessons I’ve learned have come from my mother. She always encouraged me to pursue my entrepreneurial interests when I was young, and when I got into trouble, she was the first person I turned to for help.”
“Having your mother pay your bail money isn’t something you would ever want to happen, but I was very grateful when she did! So listen to your mother. Thinking back to 1969, my mother’s common sense advice would have been just the thing I needed to hear.”
To read more of Richard Branson’s insights, get the full article at the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian website.
By Jack Preston. Senior Content Executive. Tweets at @JackPressedOn
