...in 1972, became a chain of record stores called Virgin Records, later known as virgin Megastores. 1984/ Virgin Atlantic takes off , boat and Ballon tour 1988 : Virgin Megastores opens new stores in Galasgow and Paris, followed by numerous other British, European, American and Pacific Basin cities. 1996 : Virgin Express airline takes off Virgin Net launches as an internet service provider Virgin Brides opens its doors 2000 : Virginmoney.com (supermarket financial services) virgin travelstore virgin energy (gas and electricity) Virgin.Shop (a new retail concept replacing the price brand) Mobil, cars, wines Today, the group has 300 companies in 30 countries, with over 50,000 employees Slide 5 Lessons from Richard Branson 1 Listen more than you talk : To be a good leader you have to be a great listener. Brilliant ideas can spring from the most unlikely places, so you should always keep your ears open for some shrewd advice. Get out there, listen to people, draw people out and learn from them. 2. Keep it simple : Maintain a focus upon innovation, but don’t try to reinvent the wheel. A simple change for the better is far more effective than five complicated changes for the worse. 3. Take pride in your work : With so many different companies, nationalities and personalities represented under one roof, it was interesting to see what qualities they all have in common. Remember your staff are your biggest...
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...WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE – BUS 520 LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and papers. Week ONE July 2 – 8 Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation Preparation o Reading(s) o Chapter 1: Learning about Organizational Behavior o e-Activity o Use the Internet to research an especially effective leader and / or manager. Be prepared to discuss. Preparation o Reading(s) o Chapter 2: Individual and Organizational Ethics o Chapter 3: Understanding Individual Differences Preparation o Reading(s) o Chapter 4: Perceptions and Attributions o Chapter 5: Learning Concepts to Improve Performance o e-Activity: o Use the Internet to research a social learning theory applicable to the workplace that has not been addressed in Chapter 4. Be prepared to discuss. PAPER DUE: o Assignment 1: Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study. Please see Course Guide for Specific Questions which must be addressed in the paper. o Log into BUS520 Classroom on Blackboard (Bb); go to WEEK 3; scroll to the bottom of the week and submit your assignment using the Link found there. o Your paper is due Sunday, July 22 by 11:59 p.m. ET Preparation o Reading(s) o Chapter 6: Motivating Employees o Chapter 7: Motivation: Goal Setting and Reward Programs o e-Activity o Use the Internet to research a rewards program that has been especially effective at improving employee performance...
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...Case Study – The Virgin Group: Structure, leadership and motivation This essay analyses organizational structuring of the Virgin Group, with a view to understanding the dynamics that have helped create a global conglomerate. A critical assessment is undertaken on three areas: the hierarchical form of the company, the style of leadership exhibited by Sir Richard Branson, and the approach adopted by management to motivate employees. Firstly, a comparative argument is made on whether the Virgin Group can be classified as a centralised or decentralised organization. These terms refer to division of power, capital, technical procedures and control in various units of a business. A centralised organization allows for minimal delegation to managers, with the chief executive retaining power over majority of the decisions. On the other end, a decentralised organization makes it possible for managers to exercise control without ownership oversight at each stage, provided goals and targets are met (Buchanan & Huczynski, 2007). Secondly, the essay aims to determine the leadership style practiced by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group’s chief executive officer (CEO). Two styles of leadership are used as reference point: transactional and transformational. According to Bass & Bass (2009), transactional leaders work within the organizational culture as it exists, with an awareness of the link between effort and reward. They motivate their employees by setting goals, and enforce control through...
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...Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, Ltd. Case Study Assignment 4 Professor Leadership and Organizational Behavior February 26, 2012 Since the beginning of history humans have lived in groups guided by the group leader; in which leader is either chosen for his characteristics or born into through cast. No matter the culture this is similar through the human race. Humans need someone to guide them, teach them, someone to look up to. Without followers there is no leader. “That is, leader is a term applied by observers to someone whose behaviors and characteristics match the observers’ implicit leadership preferences” (Hellriegel, D., & Slocum, J. W., Jr. (2011). They are different type of leaders and leadership style depending on the situation and solution needed at that moment by the followers. In my opinion good leaders have shown to be flexible enough to switch between leadership styles depending on the demands of the situation. One of the worlds most intriguing, succesful and enduring entrepreneurial business leaders today is Richard Branson, someone who takes control of the situation by conveying a clear vision and goals for the team, a marked passion for the work and an ability to make the group feel recharged and energized. I consider Richard Branson to be a transformational leader, a leader with vision, confident, motivation, passion and determination. He is the founder of Virgin Group Ltd. “Born July 18, 1950, in Surrey, England, Sir...
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...Assignment 4: Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, Ltd. Case Study Due Week 8 and worth 100 points Read the Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, Ltd. case study located in Chapter 11. Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you: 1. Describe Branson’s leadership style in terms of the leadership models addressed in Chapters 10 and 11 and evaluate the likely effectiveness of that style in the U.S. today. 2. Recommend a different leadership style (or combination of styles) that would make Branson an even more effective leader. 3. Determine how Branson would develop and lead a global team working on a major project (e.g., space tourism). 4. Discuss how you can incorporate some of Branson’s leadership qualities into you role at work or school. 5. Include three (3) external peer-reviewed sources to support your position. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: • Explain the variety of leadership theories and roles. • Analyze...
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...Understanding organizational behaviour is one of the most important aspects for individuals and Staff of organizations so they can compete successfully in an ever changing environment where the whole organization is able to respond quickly and together. The Change in the environment is not just seen from an external point of view but also internally. The internal environment of any organization goes through periods of rapid changes in its life cycle. The manner in which organization goes about interacting with its stakeholders and the customers is referred to as organizational behaviour. “Organizational behaviour is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and organizational structure have on behaviour within the organization, for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an organizational effectiveness” (Dhar & Dhar, 2002). This analysis is key for any organization because it aids the employee to have a better understanding of their role in the organization and also help them to understand the basics of Work Psychology which is about people’s behaviour, thoughts and emotions related to their work. It can be used to improve our understanding and management of people (including ourselves) at work and how their individual performance/actions will bring about improvements in overall performance of the organization (Arnold, et al., 2010). According to Luthans (2004), the result of interaction and interdependency between formal organizations...
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...people and has been proposed driving global change to build a better and fairer world. Richard Branson talk to know what kind of leader is and as is his leadership as a visionary and above all a great leader. Also see how the leader was as a person of significant changes to be adored and admired by its employees for their great achievements and charisma he possesses. We could see as identified as a leader and to assess what kind of leader is this person to reach a level that gives samples of how to be a leader and an example for many. We will see here as defined and is a true leader. Is 61 years; He is charismatic, enthusiastic, shy and very polite. It is an iconoclast, his own brand and a traveling show. He did everything to promote your business: disguised dress, pirate, pilot, he cross the Pacific in a big balloon, sailing the Atlantic in a motor boat and spaceship Launcher One. He is adored by his employees, entrepreneurs revered. His group, which has 47,000 employees and a presence in 30 countries, had income of U.S. $ 21 million in 2011. Arguably Branson is a successful leader with 360 degrees. He's done well in almost everything he has undertaken, married for 23 years to the same woman, Joan Templeman-, two children, what you admire and accompanied in many of his adventures, and today is considered an example of a global leader, the last step in the career of leadership. Branson (2012) said; "You have to treat everyone as equal. Being what people expected of you never...
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...Research Paper on Richard Branson and Tony Hsieh Villarico, Ralph Emmanuel T. ENTREPRENEURS SCHOOL OF ASIA Student ID # 13304- 001335 Entrepreneurship ENT125/COM125/BUS129 (LAB) In Partial fulfilment of the course requirements Submitted: AUGUST 25, 2014 DECLARATION OF NON-PLAGIARISM I hereby acknowledge that: I understand what is meant by plagiarism This paper is the product of all my own work and I have acknowledged and cited any use of the published and unpublished works of other people. I understand the institution’s policy on plagiarism is an automatic failing grade for the class and constitutes a gross violation of the code of conduct and will result in corresponding disciplinary sanctions Student’s Signature: Date: Student’s Name: Table of Contents: Contents Executive Summary 4 Recipes for Success 5 Introduction 5 Richard Branson 5 Tony Hsieh 7 What led to their Success 9 Introduction 9 Richard Branson 9 Tony Hsieh 10 Challenges 11 Introduction 11 Richard Branson 11 Tony Hsieh 12 What struck me most 13 Introduction 13 Richard Branson 13 Tony Hsieh 13 Compare and Contrast 14 Introduction 14 Richard Branson 14 Tony Hsieh 15 Executive Summary This paper aims to present and discuss both Richard Branson and Tony Hsieh on their business ventures, characteristics, and endeavours both inside and outside the business world, it will focus mainly on their successes and the...
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...Assignment Cover Sheet Student: Class: Assignment: Semester: Due Date: Mina Yadollahi Business Strategy Y/505/8182 Strategic Planning 1504 16th October, 2015 Evidence Produced (List separate items, e.g. 1 report, 2 CDs) 1. 1 Report 2. 3. 4. Lecturer : Program: Actual Submission Date: Marie Silondi HND Business 16th October, 2015 Location (Choose one) 1. Uploaded to the Learning Center (Moodle) 2. Submitted to reception Optional: I have also handed a hard copy to the lecturer according to his/her request Email submissions to the lecturer are not valid, and all extensions are submitted directly to administration. Student Declaration I declare that the work contained in this assignment was researched and prepared by me, except where acknowledgement of sources is made. I understand that the college can and will test any work submitted by me for plagiarism. Note: The attachment of this statement on any electronically submitted assignments will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed statement Signature: M. Yadollahi Date: 16th October, 2015 A separate feedback sheet will be returned to you after your work has been graded. Refer to your Student Manual for the Appeals Procedure if you have concerns about the grading decision. Student Comments (optional) Was the task clear? If not, how could it be improved? Was there sufficient time to complete the task? If not, how much time should be allowed? Did you need...
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...Richard Branson set up the first Virgin music store in 1971 and is well known for his entrepreneurial approach. The Virgin group now includes many different organisations, such as an airline, a train company and a mobile phone business. To what extent will the performance of a business such as Virgin inevitably decline after the retirement of its founder? Justify your answer with reference to Virgin and/or other organisations that you know. [40 marks] A founder is an entrepreneur who starts a business. If multiple entrepreneurs were involved in the creation of the company, they are referred to as the founders. Founders provide the vision that takes the business forward. They take difficult decisions and bring about the difficult change. Retiring leaders or leaders that pass away can have a huge impact on the performance of a business in both negative and positive ways. For example when Wal-Mart’s leader passed away the business completely transformed into decline but after the Steve Jobs’ death the company has continued to prosper. Firstly, it can be argued that business performance can inevitably decline after their founder leaves. This is evident in Wal-Mart’s case. Wal-Mart lost a figurehead to the business when Sam Walton, the folksy co-founder of Wal-Mart Stores, died in 1992. Mr. Walton turned the business into one of the planets largest retailers with his almost religious devotion to retailing which spawned a unique culture. However after the founders’ death...
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...The Composition Of Virgins Portfolio Marketing Essay The Virgin Group is a multi national corporation with a hugely diversified business portfolio. This essay examines how the Virgin Groups corporate strategy has allowed it to sustain competitive advantage. The first area that is covered is the composition of Virgins portfolio, namely what businesses Virgin is in and what is the logic of their portfolio. Within the composition section it puts forward two models that help to show why Virgin has chosen particular avenues for achieving growth and sustaining competitive advantage. The Core Competence Theory and Parenting Concept are then reviewed critically in regard to Virgin. Porters three tests are then related to the Virgin Group. Next the co-ordination of Virgins portfolio is addressed, how Virgin has managed its portfolio in its quest for growth and a sustained competitive advantage. Within the composition section of the essay is the issue of control versus the co-operation of Virgin and its business units. It then handles the four concepts of corporate strategy and how Virgin can and has used them to add value to its business units. The link between Virgins Corporate and Marketing strategy is then discussed before the other side of the argument is considered, looking at how Virgins corporate strategy destroyed rather than added value. Finally having synthesised the various diverse elements the essay concludes by using the knowledge gained to raise questions for Virgin about...
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...Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, Ltd Case Study Sharon Dunbar Dr. Tressa Shavers BUS 520 March 1,2012 Overview – Virgin Group, Ltd. The Virgin Group, Ltd. is a British based venture capital organization founded by Richard Branson, incorporated in 1989. The focus of their business group is travel, entertainment, and lifestyle, and while actually incorporating as a venture capital group in the late 1980s, they had a number of activities in the 1970s. To date, Virgin has created more than 300 companies globally, employing over 50,000 people in 30 countries. In 2009, global revenues exceeded $18 billion US with a portfolio that continues to grow. The company believes in making a difference, and is quite particular about the manner in which they invest, or assist in marketing new ventures. Several things appear to ensure that anything that has a Virgin brand is successful: 1) the brand, 2) Richard Branson’s reputation; 3) empowering of talent; and 4) the management style engendered by Branson which flows down to almost every aspect of the organization. The company prides itself on sound, sustainable philosophies and posits the notion that there are six identifiers that characterize the company: • Lower the carbon footprint of all Virgin represented projects • The Gaia concept – one living world – use the planet’s resources responsibly • Equality...
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...made them consistently rank top ten in the Fast Company's list of innovative companies. I try to model Apple in my own little way byconstantly improving on businesses. I constantly seek innovative ways to increase customer’s loyalty and profit. If you want to make innovation one of your company’s core values, then Apple is one of the successful business strategy models you can emulate. "Pretty much, Apple and Dell are the only ones in this industry making money. They make it by being Wal-Mart, we make it by innovation." – Steve Jobs 2. Virgin Group: Strong Competitive Strategy "A business has to be involving, it has to be fun and it has to exercise your creative instincts." – Richard Branson I respect Richard Branson's Virgin Group for their guts. They are always unafraid to tackle giant companies head on. The Virgin group is...
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...Strategic Management Case plus Case Answer – Apple’s Profitable but Risky Strategy Case study Apple’s profitable but risky strategy When Apple’s Chief Executive – Steven Jobs – launched the Apple iPod in 2001 and the iPhone in 2007, he made a significant shift in the company’s strategy from the relatively safe market of innovative, premium-priced computers into the highly competitive markets of consumer electronics. This case explores this profitable but risky strategy. Note that this case explores in 2008 before Nokia had major problems with smartphones – see Case 9.2 and Case 15.1 for this later situation. Early beginnings To understand any company’s strategy, it is helpful to begin by looking back at its roots. Founded in 1976, Apple built its early reputation on innovative personal computers that were par-ticularly easy for customers to use and as a result were priced higher than those of competitors. The inspiration for this strategy came from a visit by the founders of the company – Steven Jobs and Steven Wozniack – to the Palo Alto research laboratories of the Xerox company in 1979. They observed that Xerox had developed an early version of a computer interface screen with the drop-down menus that are widely used today on all personal computers. Most computers in the late 1970s still used complicated technical interfaces for even simple tasks like typing – still called ‘word-processing’ at the time. Jobs and Wozniack took the concept back to Apple and developed their...
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...Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950 in Surrey, England. His parents both worked blue collar jobs with average pay. At the age of 13 he transferred from an all-boys school to a boarding school. In the year 1966 Richard, noted to have dyslexia, dropped out of school at the age of 16. It was at this time that he actually began his first business endeavor. He started a youth-culture magazine by the name Student. This magazine which was ran by students, simply for students, grossed $8,000 on its first publication. Once Branson covered the costs with advertisings, the first print of 50,000 copies was distributed for free. Just 4 year later Branson began a record mail order business. A year later he founded chain of record stores, currently known as Virgin Megastores. Branson's Virgin brand expanded quickly throughout the 80’s. He went on to make the Virgin Records music label much larger, as well as, to create Virgin Atlantic Airways. The Sunday Times Rich List reports him to be worth over £4 billion (equivalent to US$7.8 billion). Sir Richard Branson is an anomaly. He started out a high school dropout and worked his way to being a multi-billionaire. Mr. Branson has become an icon as a leader in his business endeavors and the industries in which they are in. According to Hellreigel, D. & Slocum, J., (2011), through his company Virgin Group, LTD, Mr. Branson “has turned a lifelong disdain for conventional business wisdom into a multibillion dollar global...
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