Okay, I’ll come clean, I wasn’t the only person in the room. An additional 2,500 or so people were also present, and listened as Sir Richard Branson shared the following tips on becoming a successful entrepreneur.

1. Look forward not back. We all make mistakes and more than likely your first venture into business will appear like more hard work than success. This is ok, just keep focused on the future – where you want to be, what you are working towards.
2. Create something that makes a positive difference to the lives of others. In other words, deal with the problems of the world. Your world may only be small, but if you can develop a solution, you can make a difference. Be innovative, and do your best to make things better.
3. Thank those who have contributed to your journey. Show appreciation and encourage rewards – big or small. Praise as often as you can, and watch the people around you flourish.
4. Surround yourself with people better than you and delegate. Find the best in people, help them realise their skills and contributions. Care for your team, and draw the best out in them.
5. Dream. Innovation begins with dreams.
6. Create a happy workplace. Appreciate your staff, let them work and contribute to the overall performance of the organisation and you will see them feel proud and become brand ambassadors for your business.
7. Protect the downside. Perhaps this could be reworded as “Hedge your bets”. Risks are always present, but ensure the risk your risk is considered, minimised and protected.

8. Have the ability to forgive. Holding onto grudges can be damaging – to your reputation and also your health, so show that you can let go and move on. Sir Richard displayed this to us, when reaching out to reassure a heckler in the room with his genuine unruffled behaviour.

These thoughts have been taken from the recent Melbourne National Achievers Congress, where Boost Juice founder, Janine Allis also imparted some of her wisdom. The Shark Tank regular reminded us that the journey to success includes hard times. “Greatness occurs when things go wrong, and you learn to get past it” she said. As many successful entrepreneurs will tell you, the journey to success is hard fought and Janine reinforced that it’s okay to feel petrified at times.

My parting advice, is if you ever have the chance to be in the same room as Sir Richard Branson, grab it with both hands – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

If you have your own experience to share, I’d love to hear about it, please share it in the comments below.

by Sam Spence – Founder & Principal Executive Assistant, Executive Virtual Associate.

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