Screw it Let’s do it by Sir Richard Branson

This is quite simply the best business book I have read in over 30 years of reading them: Screw it Let’s do it by Sir Richard Branson

Question: Is Simplicity a real concept? Answer: You bet!

Sir Richard writes:

‘The simplicity of this project constantly reminds me of the human folly of creating very complex systems that end up justifying themselves and their existence - but end up stifling innovation’

Amen and thank you Sir Richard!!!

A few months ago I travelled on a Virgin Train here in England from Birmingham to Newcastle return – a total of 7 hours on two Virgin Trains. Having just read the book I thought to myself … here’s a chance for me to do some live research.

I went along to the Virgin Train shop to get a coffee and decided to have a chat with the young man behind the counter. I decided to be ‘devils advocate’ and lied as I said:

"I’ve just finished reading Richard Branson latest book ‘Screw it Lets’ Do It.’ In the book he writes about how ‘in touch’ he likes to be with front line staff in the Virgin Empire but I’m a bit cynical about all that crap"

I was lying because I believe Richard Branson is genuine. I awaited with a keen interest the response.

This was his reply…

"Richard Branson is very approachable and yes we see him quite a lot. He always talks to us and he listens. I like him and in fact he is more approachable than our middle mangers."

Every now and again I find a book that I can’t wait to pick up for the next opportunity to read it – this one is such a book. I kept on finding gems that I will use in presentations, Blogs and books for years to come!

One such brilliant Branson observation that grabbed me from the book;

‘There are always people who criticise and usually they’re the ones who come up with no solutions’

Amen Sir Richard - I have met many of them!

As early as Page 2 he sets the tone for the book with this wonderful observation and advice;

‘Then there are those silly little rules that someone has invented for baffling reasons. I always think that if you set up quangos or committees, they will find something useless to do. The world is full of red tape, created by committees with too much time and an overbearing desire for control. Most red tape is a tangled mess of utterly useless, nonsensical jargon. If I want to do something worthwhile – or even just for fun – I won’t let silly rules stop me. I will find a legal way around the rules and give it a go.’

The remaining 220 pages contain gem after gem of simple yet profound wisdom about how to get on in life.

The message from Sir Richard is as relevant to a budding entrepreneur, as it is to an established entrepreneur, or even if you are a person with no wish to be an entrepreneur. You may just want to make something of yourself. If so I offer you only one piece of advice about this book – go out and buy it.

---

Reviewed by Trevor Gay, author of simplicity

I spent 35 years working in healthcare management until October 2004 when I decided to take a leap of faith and become self employed. This followed the publication of my first book called Simplicity is the Key that was published in October 2004. This 'new world' I now occupy in has its moments. Sometimes I worry about how I am going to eat next month but then I remember that life is more than money. My wife Annie is my inspiration and always reminds me of what is really important.