Screw Business as Usual

De: Richard Branson

Narrado por: Sean Pratt

Richard Branson, one of the world's most famous and admired business leaders, argues that it's time to turn capitalism upside down - to shift our values from an exclusive focus on profit to also caring for people, communities, and the planet as he writes:

"People often associate me with challenges, with trying to break records while sailing the Atlantic or flying in a jet stream in a balloon or going into space with Virgin Galactic. But this audiobook isn't just about fun and adventure and exceeding one's wildest dreams. It's a different kind of business book. It's about revolution. The message is a simple one: business as usual isn't working. In fact, business as usual is wrecking this planet. Resources are being used up; the air, the sea, the land are all heavily polluted. The poor are getting poorer. Many are dying of starvation or because they can't afford a dollar a day for lifesaving medicine.

"But my message is not all doom and gloom. I will describe how I think business can help fix things and create a more prosperous world for everyone. I happen to believe in business because I believe that business is a force for good. By that I mean that doing good is good for business.

"Doing the right thing can be profitable. I will show how this works step by step in the following pages. It's the core message of this book. I often say, 'Have fun and the money will come.' I still believe that, but now I am saying, 'Do good, have fun and the money will come.'"

©2011 Richard Branson (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Excellent book, narration timing a bit off

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Richard Branson is a visionary with ideas that will work for the success of businesses in the 21st century. The face and practice of business is changing. Gathering forward-thinking business leaders into master minds and other groups is brilliant. It's not just about profits; it's about making a lasting change in the world.

What did you like best about this story?

It was wonderful to hear of of businesses that at first seemed impossible to get off the ground, but are incredibly successful now and changing the world. It's about the good of humanity and being able to make a profit.

Did Sean Pratt do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Sean's voice is pleasant, but his pauses in text weren't well-timed. When I thought a sentence meant one thing it actually meant another when he finished the sentence. He paused a bit too long at commas and in series (e.g., when speaking a list, such as the series of things a business does), making it seem like they were periods instead of commas, or that a sentence ended when it really didn't. It interrupted the flow of thought. His differentiation of characters was satisfactory.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction to this book but it is inspiring. I have the hard copy but didn't have time to finish it so I got the audiobook so I could listen while driving.

Great message for CEOs

The overall message of the book is great (basically, stop going about business as usual and only caring about profit lines and start caring about people and the environment), but it didn't leave a lot or any advice on how to achieve it for the average person.

Branson gives a lot of examples of projects and companies that have "screwed business as usual" and came out on top. In a way, this book is a big pat on the back since the gist is pretty much summed up within the first 20 minutes, but it is nice to hear of success stories too. I feel a little at a loss about what my personal takeaway should be since I'm not a CEO, buts it's nice to hear there are companies out there not completely focused on the bottom line.

Ok book

The first book is way better this one, at the end the story stalls and it is repetitive

SBAU

Richard Brandon’s prerogative is clear to many readers. His success in his businesses and ability to reach global sectors as a result of Virgin Group holds true even today. However, the approach of screwing business as usual warrants him even more success.

In my opinion, this book, Branson’s SBAU approach, and the stories within highlight the ideology of stakeholder capitalism.

Furthermore, the importance of his call to inspire and drive modern entrepreneurship (as well as big business) to consider the impacts of their carbon/environmental footprint, social impact, community impact, and overall impact, sheds light on a future we can all dream of.

Branson uses powerful people, some whom we might never hear of because of our main-stream media influenced circles, to showcase those who consider business beyond just profitability.

One plus about this story is the globalist point of views highlighted through several business experiences Brandon had in South Africa, India, the UK, Brazil, and other parts of the world.

Overall, this is an easy-going read, with principles offered that can greatly shape our personal lives, career, businesses, community, and larger government. Please see for yourself.

Self Delluded Hypocrisy

occasionally inspiring until you pay attention to the details. He pats himself on the back for reducing emmissions while traveling on a large private jet and promotind space tourism. He makes plans for helping the homeless
from his second dining room at one of his dozens of mansions. There are dozens of examples throughout the book

Self aggrandizing garbage

I bought this book because I am a fan of Richard Brandon, but this garbage book is just him bragging about stuff he supposedly has accomplished and dropping names. It has zero practical business knowledge or help. I was extremely dissatisfied and disappointed.