My CEO Life

If you want a quick read that has some good lessons in it, then grab a copy of Richard Branson’s book called Screw It, Let’s Do It.

What i love about the book is it is all about taking some risks.  We have a motto in the business – don’t seek permission, beg forgiveness.  What makes this value important is that when you are growing a business at 100 mph, you need everyone getting on with business, feeling empowered to make decisions and of course, take responsibility for their decisions.

A long side this value is a set of rewards and penalties.

• Rewards are for those that make the right decisions and create value for the business.  Rewards include promotion, more responsibility, financial rewards etc
• The penalties are not for getting it wrong once, but for continuously getting it wrong and not learning from the mistakes.  The penalties include lack of bonuses, non-promotion in the business or termination of employment.

What is interesting is that not taking risks is akin to taking them and getting them wrong.  You just don’t succeed by keeping your head down and hoping others get it wrong.  This is crap, large organisation attitudes.

Take a risk … enjoy the rewards!!!

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