| Title | : | Screw Business as Usual Lib/E |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9798200632831 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Audio CD |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published November 17, 2011 |
Screw Business as Usual Lib/E Reviews
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I'm a big Richard Branson fan-boy, and really liked his first book, Losing My Virginity (which I highly recommend). Since then, I've given a few of his other books a try. I gave Screw Business as Usual a try this week. It was very quick to get through so I thought I'd post a short review.
The book is about the idea that capitalism can, in addition to pursuing the goal of making money, attempt to do good.
On the plus side, it covers a number of interesting cases, some of which are Virgin enterprises, others just ones Branson has come across. It's a wide enough variety to give some creative food for thought, but little is provided in the way of detail if someone wanted to do some analysis of real cost/benefit, or map to their business to see how it differs, etc. Still, they are inspirational stories.
Another negative is that a number of his examples consist of things akin to 'I saw a problem. I called up Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Bill Gates and we got together and decided to start a foundation'. Some have complained that this is name-dropping. I don't think that's the case, so much as it's just the circles he travels in. However, the few examples that are along these lines aren't really helpful for anyone looking to do good with their business.
In any case, it's a good read with some unique perspectives that some will get value from. Start with Losing My Virginity though, as I think it's a better read. -
So now comes Sir Richard with a critique of modern business practices that only he could produce. In exhorting readers to "Screw Business as Usual" Branson is calling upon us to reinvent capitalism in a more ethical, more just, and less destructive way. His primary theme here is that Capitalism 24902 (named for the number of miles in our globe's circumference) must serve the world and not deplete it. "Doing good is good for business" he says over and over... and then he proves his case. He tells dozens of stories of business leaders who break the model, screw business as usual, and go on to greater wealth and influence than they could have done with traditional methods. And he uses himself as a case-in-point to great effect. With his example, we learn how a great leader like Branson thinks and makes decisions - and then it all seems more attainable somehow.
"Screw Business as Usual" is a call to action that is truly motivating. While reading, I made some new personal commitments in terms of how I organize my little one-woman consulting firm. Not much in the grand scheme of things, but it is my bit to do and I will do it. It amuses me that my financial adviser is always surprised when he is telling me that the socially-responsible mutual funds I insist on using seem to be outperforming the market.
If I had had four and a half stars to give, I would have, and I nearly went with a five. Though the book was a bit slow in the beginning, once I got to Chapter 3 or so it became a real page turner and I enjoyed the reading immensely. I have scribbled more wows, far-outs, and yeses into the margins of this book than I have done since those college days when every idea was new and exciting. If that ain't a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon I don't know what is!
I admit it - I love Richard Branson. Always have. His fresh approach to everything is inspiring. His courage, ability to overcome odds, masterful entrepreneurship, and team-building skill earned him billions. He seems to move through life like a chess grand master moves across his board. Except that Branson is having more fun. -
Total and utter pompous tosh - avoid!
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This made me very cynical. There's nothing worse than reading about rich white guys extolling business ethics to reach untapped markets, no matter how positive a spin is placed on it.
FYI: the fact that you can access a Coca Cola in even the poorest of the poor or third world locations is NOT a marvel, when pharma extort the masses.
Capitalism doesn't need turning upside down. It needs honest people running honest business, not rich do-gooders running around exploiting untapped third world markets, because their payback ratios are higher than the first world.
Whilst the call to shift our values from profit are indeed a must, the concept of embarking on new ventures solving world wide problems is not new, and yet somehow promoting this process still seems dishonorable coming from the likes of Branson/Virgin.
Still, I recommend following the process. It's been 2 years since this was written, there needs to be more done to change the motives of corporate business.
New business isn't necessarily going to be the answer. -
Excellent!
Bravo Richard! It is these type of ideas that truly bring about change. But not just change for the sake of it… Real change and real passion to see a different tomorrow than the one we are experiencing today. The idea of the elders and the business leaders is one who's time has come… And if each of us will take one step, we will all move closer to reality that includes us all. Not just the ones were well-off, and not just the ones who can speak with the loudest voices. This book is about what we can do today and tomorrow to screw business as usual and move in a direction that our hearts and our minds have always known as not just human, but more and more divine!
Read this book, and then connect in. Check out what they're doing on Facebook, twitter and all around the globe. And then take your first step today… That is the way. Step one… And the rest will be the history that we speak of with joy and humility in the decades to come! -
It was very distracting hearing the sound of RB patting himself on the back at every turn of a page. The book is basically a public relations sticker. Yes, I am happy to see a person of his vast wealth involved in so many philanthropic and sustainable business actions. How a bout a little grace and turning down the horn toots a tad. I guess it wasn't what I was looking for. I have been invested in sustainable seeking corporations for decades so.. Didn't the BeeGees give millions starting way back to UNICEF? I am happy for you Richard and the opportunities you and a myriad other corporations have brought to poverty stricken areas but it is definitely not new or your idea. Simply too arrogant and egotistical read for me.Sub title:The Richard Branson Show.
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This lightweight screed reflects the holistic attitude towards business that Richard Branson supposedly has. Not having had the opportunity to experience Virgin service myself, I can't judge that claim. The supreme irony in the book for me is that Branson inadvertently pops his own bubble more than once with casual references to his private island or to the people who populate his world. It's a breezy read, but don't expect much from it.
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i like Richard Branson very much but/ This is the third time i try to finished this book!!! sorry but i cant. this book full with facts about author and his colleagues trying make a better world. But another way this is look like Virgin's ANNUAL REPORT : social activities..BLAH....BLAH...blah.. lot of names..lot of brands.but just one massage..
try to make a better world with your business...
OK...I got it....NO...further more...! -
A hard read to get through. Lacked pace, felt painfully repetitive, and questionably egotistical.
On one hand, I found it to be a good resource of knowledge on how the businesses mentioned in the book were contributing back to society in economic and enivornmental ways. I also liked his insights on how and why charitable donations are not sustainable, but empowering the poor to create their own wealth is.
On the other hand I found it hard to digest that Richard Branson preaches about how businesses should change their approach of impact on the environment while he himself runs airline, cruise line and space travel businesses. I also found myself rolling my eyes everytime he mentioned how many acres of land he owned, his private islands, and name dropping celebrities which at most times added no weight to the story. A lot of the book’s focus was on initiatives he and random Virgin employees set into motion, which is fair since he’s the author, but felt like an extensive corporate branding exercise.
The book could have been edited to half its length and focused more on the message he was trying to get across, which I believe is valuable but was lost in his self-absorbed banter. -
This was a really solid book.
How can you change the world?
Branson details some really iconic and impactful moves in his career and outlines how you can do similar in your own. I learned a lot and was moved by his integrity and charisma.
Very motivating book and quite eloquent.
I also got a lot out of this book from another perspective, of how to speak to authorities to spark change. A lot of the stories are from him speaking to communities, so I interpreted lots of how to influence leaders to change policy and consider new viewpoints.
Some of the book was heavy on the name dropping and self-congratulatory side, but it was still a really good read.
3.8/5 -
2.5 stars.
Full disclosure: I read this to fulfill a specific reading goal, as this isn't my typical genre. (The whole point of reading challenges, really.)
Reading this did improve my impression of Richard Branson. I do believe that he really is trying to change the soul of business and improve life on our planet. I was impressed by many of the initiatives he discusses in the book, which cover a really wide range of social and environmental issues. Anyone trying to reduce the carbon footprint of multinational businesses deserves some credit.
My first problem with the book is not actually his fault, but mine in reading it now: it is already 8 years old. It made me want to fact check. So, this company had this really impressive plan in 2011...did they follow through? Did they meet their goals, reduce or increase their whatever by 201X? If they didn't, the whole vignette loses its power, and during the entire reading I was aware of the follow up rabbit holes I could get lost in doing research.
My second issue, however, was of style and ego. The book was one huge name drop and pat on the back after another. Here's the template:
I was talking to my good friend Celebrity A while we were on my private island, and he said this thing that inspired me. I said, “You know what? Let's do it! Screw business as usual, and let's make this organization/initiative/company/conference/press release to make the world better!” Celebrity A totally agreed with me, and we worked together on this project. [Insert details and story about project.]. This other time, I was at a conference where I talked with World Leader B (who I call Buddy because that's his family nickname and we're such close buds) and Business Leader C. They were talking about the important issue X. One of my amazing staff members happened to know someone who has a start up dealing with this same issue. [Insert side story about how I met amazing staff member and recognized their genius.] We got together and helped the start up in these detailed ways. Now they're very impressive. [insert details and page long quote from either World Leader B or Start Up Entrepreneur.]
Repeat.
Do you see how that can start to grate a little? Some of the stories were truly inspiring, but there was such an odd tone of self aggrandizing and also trying to use really casual language at the same time. I'm not sure who the real audience for this book was. Small business owners? Fortune 500 CEOs? People who want to be awed by celebrity and feel like they're doing some social good? I'm not really sure. It didn’t inspire me to read more business books, that's for sure. -
this was the abridged version...
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In the old days, it was enough for entrepreneurs to spend half their life making money and the other half giving it away. But the business game has changed. Now, to succeed, you need to make a profit as you do good.
Richard Branson introduces the idea of Capitalism 24902 (the distance in miles of the circumference of the earth) and tells story after story of businesses that have at their heart the concept of doing good. You need to accept the global reality of business and thus the need for leadership without borders. The old charity model is as out of date as the old way of doing business, success is doing good at a profit.
Over the past five or so years in business literature, longer in the real world, there's been a shift to social entrepreneurship. Branson's book takes that work as a foundation and moves it ahead. Branson's insights are not theoretical but are based on the work he's doing through his own "do good" organisation, Virgin Unite.
If you're in business or you have a jaded view of the power of business, read this book to understand all the good business can achieve. -
This book is as inspiring as it is irritating. It's like swimming through thick treacle a lot of the time but there are enough inspirational ideas and case studies to make it worthwhile. Branson mentions how wonderful Virgin is at least three times every page which gets a tad tedious and I would have liked more details about some of the examples from other organisations.
However, Branson's enthusiasm comes through like a blazing sun and he has an impressive record of results with organisations that are making a huge difference to people and the environment. He makes a compelling argument for doing business in an ethical manner (and getting more profits in the process).
You do start to wonder what our governments are doing while an assorted collection of successful business men and women can make significant inroads into seemingly impossible tasks. -
Love him, love -and agree- the topic, but I didn't like how the idea was presented through the book, it didn't talk to me. Branson is good though.
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This was an invitation, a passionate one, from one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs of this generation. Richard Branson's theme is simple: Business is a mighty force in the world, and its enormous potential can be utilized in solving many of the social and environmental issues of our planet. From lack of healthcare to ecological concerns to unemployment, we can leverage on business as a force for change.
This requires that we discard that view of business which considered profit maximization as the ultimate goal. We should rather begin to see business an avenue for solving many of our human problems, while also being financially viable. In his words, entrepreneurs must seek creative ways of doing good while also doing well; they should make profit by offering value in a way which transforms people's lives.
He presents numerous fascinating stories of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ordinary individuals who are demonstrating that this approach truly works. And in recalling many of his own efforts with the various initiatives and businesses he has launched, he invites every one to consider how they can also play a role in ditching (my own term!) 'business as usual' and find creative ways of making profit while doing good. -
Given that the issues discussed in this book are still ongoing in a very scary way this book is quite anxiety inducing in 2019.
That being said, while the stories written are inspirational, I'd really been hoping for a bit more of a concrete discussion on how to "screw business as usual". While there are general ideas talked about in the book and the stories, I already had those ideas when I picked up this book.
It might just be that it's dated, because society has progressed - I don't know. What I do know is that this isn't what I expected.
I have learned some good brand names, and I can appreciate the life of Sir Richard Branson a bit more (but I'm also extremely frustrated by him as it's easy for a billionaire to say that you "can't just throw money at a problem" but it's not so easy to be hungry and hear billionaires say that).
Overall, if you want to learn more about the author, delve in. If you want to learn about business? Unless you have no idea how businesses can do better (by supporting peoples rights and access to important resources), I'd recommend finding another book. -
Very inspirational read. Other reviewers are critical about the fact that he is so well connected, and how easy it is for him to create change compared to the likes of us. However, what Richard Branson does is use his connections, wealth, experience and entrepreneurial spirit to do good. Something we can all do if we find a cause we care about enough. He has made me look at the CSR strategy we created for the company in a different way as he gives many examples and case studies of companies that are doing good and making money at the same time. He also shows how you can do good on a micro and macro level, it not all big projects to save the world from global warming. Sometimes it’s arranging a loan for an African lady to buy a sewing machine to set up her own business.
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This books feels a bit masturbatory in terms of patting himself on the back for seizing early the idea of doing well by doing good.
lots of pleasant examples with a condescending tone of what we must do.
But I couldn't get over the "we must save biodiversity" theme while he also talks about "sustainable wool" - give me a break. Farm animal pasture and the fields to make the grain to feed those farm animals is the leading cause of biodiversity loss (and climate change - another big cause of biodiversity loss).
so maybe while you're funding breeding of endangered species you could stop consuming the products that are the reason they are going extinct anyway.
That gave it a hollow note for me. Which sucks because I'd previously admired Branson. -
An easy reading book with easy languange. However, I expected lot more than what Richard tells in this book. It took me a month to finish the book, because it lack of excitement (plus my personal target, to finish what I have started) to drive me to continously read the book.
This book is all about stories from people who do social business and how it can bring more benefit for others and improves human's live. It also tells how capitalism will not work long term.
I respect a lot on the way Richard do business and inspire people as he explain in this book.
But i wish it is more than just a compilation of surface stories -
Fast and fun read, leaving you with the feeling the entrepreneurship CAN leave the world a better place!
This is the first book of Branson's that I have read, and loved it. His personality comes through just as people who are close to him have described it, and as he appears in interviews. Awesome.
How often do you get to hang out with a cool billionaire who is actively trying to make the world a better place? How often do you get the opportunity to hear first hand advice from a person who makes big waves?
The title references business and rejecting the status quo. This book delivers on both counts. -
"Screw Business As Usual" by Richard Branson
Reviewed on 22 March 2021
I admire Richard Branson a lot and love learning from successful people. I picked up this book hoping only to hear his thoughts with no particular goal in place. It was reassuring that he seems to be ethical and genuine in encouraging people to think outside the box when doing business and have the environment in mind. I do love that he stresses the importance of building good relations with people, also. I would say I am not sure if I learned anything particularly helpful in this book, though.
I listened the the audiobook while walking my dog.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. -
Richard Branson is always one step ahead of other entrepreneurs when it comes to do good. Basically this book is about how to do business by doing good, by giving something back to the community or by helping the planet in the process. I read this book while I was in a transition period in my life, professionally speaking. It gave me so much insight which will surely help me in my #nextstep
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“Screw business as usual” has radically changed my perspective on how business and charity can be done. Other than making profit business can also contributing to the needy, other than just handing out donation to the needy charity work can be making profit as well. Better still if you combine both together and you will get a profitable business that focus on charity works!
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Business is about growing up and growing the community around it. This book is about, all the activities that Virgin did to enhance the community around it. Various projects are discussed this is a good book if you are looking to support the community by transforming your bussiness to community friendly bussiness.
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Lot of great case studies on how to be a modern social entrepreneur. It also goes into depth on some of the things. Virgin is doing to innovate business models.
I feel it’s important to note I read this like ten minutes after disembarking a bomb virgin cruise so I was definitely in a pro-virgin mood. -
Richard Branson is amazing! With so many ways to help in this world, there really is no excuse not to. Great book to get your creative juices going on how you can help leave your grain of sand in making this world better for generations to come.
