By looking at how the Billionaire Richard Branson approaches the way he successfully runs his many businesses we can see how to do projects better. In this slideshow you will see the 6 things that Richard Branson does that you can take and apply on your project.

2. –Richard Branson
“When most people think about taking a risk they
associate it with negative connotations, when really
they should view it as a positive opportunity.
Believe in yourself and back yourself to come out
on top.”

3. The art of letting go
“When employees tell you about their
good ideas for the business, don't limit
your response to asking questions, taking
notes and following up. If you can, ask
those people to lead their projects and
take responsibility for them.”
Richard Branson
With your projects it is a good idea to
take this approach. The project manager
should be focussed on the big picture
and not into the detail. The project team
should be focussed on the detail and as
a project manager you need to trust
them and let go. Let them run with it and
take ownership.

4. Art of communication
“You can build good
communications into your
company's DNA by ensuring that
discussions are built on openness,
clear language, and a willingness
to listen to everyone who has
something to say.” Richard
Branson.
On your project encourage good
communication by ensuring
everyone is listened too. As a
project manager be open and
communicate using clear language
that everyone will understand.

5. Enjoy what you do
"Fun is one of the most important
— and underrated — ingredients in
any successful venture. If you're not
having fun, then it's probably time
to call it quits and try something
else”
Richard Branson
Next time you pick up your next
project assignment check to see if it
something you would have fun
delivering. When the project starts
to go wrong which it will do (they all
do) it is far easier to stay focussed
on a project that you are enjoying.

6. Protect the downside
Before going ahead with his Virgin Air
dream, he got Boeing to agree to take
back Virgin's one 747 jet after a year if
the business wasn't operating as
planned.
One of the most important roles a
project manager performs on a
project is protecting the downside. In
project management speak protecting
the downside is called risk mitigation.
As a project manager it is important
that you work with your team to
identify project risks. The next step is
again working with the team to
identify how to mitigate the risks.

7. Make a difference
Branson started Virgin Direct because he
was tired of giving 5 percent of his
money to other financial services
companies. Every other financial services
company in Britain has had to reduce its
rates to compete.
Your project should always have a strong
reason for existing. There should be a
business case that is constantly checked
to make sure the project is delivering the
promised objectives. Any project that is
not going to make a difference will get
cancelled. It is therefore important to
keep checking that the project will
deliver the expected benefits.

8. Employees first
Richard Branson believes that the
correct pecking order is employees
first, customers next and then
shareholders.
As a project manager it is
important that you recognise the
role that the project team
members make to the success of
the project. Make sure you take
the time to thank people for their
efforts. Also highlight individual
achievements in project
communication that is both
internal and external to the project.

9. ProjectNewsToday.com
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