Sir Richard Branson is an inspiration and to a great many people. Lawrence Jones talks of his experiences of Richard Branson Necker.
It's safe to say, Richard is no ordinary person. Whether you are starting out as an entrepreneur or you are a seasoned business person like Larry Page founder of Google. Branson has something to offer for everyone.
It was my first time on Necker, I'd only been on the island for 20 minutes. I was stood looking at a picture hanging above the piano, not 20 feet where I am sitting right now. Gail was unpacking and the kids were sitting with the tortoises in the Great House.
"Hello, I am Richard," came a softly spoken voice. "I am having a cup of tea, do you want to join me?" I knew his voice well from downloading his book Business Stripped Bare. His unmistakeable silhouette struck me too. He is a man we have all grown up with and in my opinion is the last living legend and true British role model.
It's easy to feel at home around Richard. He takes pleasure in making people feel at home. His understanding of people and genuine desire to help people develop is what makes him stand out from any other business person I have encountered. He is a man who puts other peoples needs above his own personal ambitions and as a result, he has the most loyal team of supportive, highly driven and motivated team members you could ever wish for.
I thought we ran a good business at UKFast, but next to Branson, we are amateurs with a huge amount to learn. And I think that is the key. We are still learning and its a pleasure learning from great people who have the understanding and experience.
I find myself drawn back to Necker, this is the 3rd time in 12 months. Its the only place I switch off and I get to hang out with some extraordinary people.
And its safe to say, through help, advice and guidance we have learnt so much. We have made more changes to UKFast in the past 12 months than we have in the past 12 years. They are positive changes and I can do them with certainty as some of the skills I have acquired, are definitely NOT taught in business school, but they make sense and I understand why he does what he does.
If you have not read his books, I'd go and download them now. If you are in business, he is a man who looks at things very differently and from a very different perspective. Tom Bloxham the entrepreneur behind Urban Splash described Richard, "he is the greatest listener I have ever met."
If you are in business and you want to compete with him, you better raise the bar. I ran with him when he trained for the Virgin London Marathon and we ran for 2.5 hrs at a time. He is the most competitive man I have ever met. He surrounds himself by challenges constantly, he lives to compete. He turns everything into games, yet he always brings out the best in people.
A remarkable man, and I am sure Joan has a great deal more to do with his success than people will realise.
I'd like to say he is an ordinary man, achieving extraordinary things, but he is not. He is a real life phenomenon.