Build an Inspiring Book List with Harvee Pene (Partner & Business Advisor at Inspire CA) as he undertakes his 2016 Challenge:  Read (implement & review) a Book a Week.

The Virgin Way: How to listen, learn, laugh and lead

This is one of the only books that have left me laughing out loud, usually in a cafe with everyone looking, because of his amazing stories of both huge success and huge failure in business.

Every reader will take something different out of this book, but regardless of the implementations you’ll all walk away with a massive amount of motivation to make your dream business and life a reality.

This is week 3 or so in my Book a week goal for 2016. What have you enjoyed reading most so far??

p.s. There was so much gold in the Virgin Way, I thought I’d type out my notes of top takeaways.

Enjoy!

1 – Follow your dreams and just do it. You will live a much better life if you just do it and pursue your passions.

People who have the courage to work on the things they love are often the ones who enjoy life the most.

They are also the ones who dare to take a risk and chase their dreams.

2 – Dare to make a positive difference and do some good.

If you aren’t making a positive difference to people’s lives then you shouldn’t be in business.

Companies have a responsibility to make a difference in the world. for their customers. for their staff. Everyone.

The amazing part is that doing good is amazing for business so what are you waiting for?

3 – Believe in your ideas and be the best. A passionate belief in your business and personal objectives can make all the difference between success and failure.

If you aren’t proud of what you are doing, why should anyone else be?

Don’t get stuck blindly pursuing growth and profits. Become the best at what you do and the rest will follow.

4 – Have fun and look after your team. Fun is 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

If your team members are engaged, having fun and genuinely care about other people they will enjoy they’ll enjoy their work more and do a better job, it’s really that simple.

Find people who look for the best in others lavish more praise than criticism and love what they do

5 – Don’t give up.

On any venture I’ve ever done, there have been times when the easy thing to do would have been to throw in the towel and walk away.

By simply sticking with it, brushing yourself down and trying again you’ll be amazed with what you can achieve.

6 – Take lots of notes and take on heaps of new challenges. Listen more and talk less.

Take notes, lots of notes. If you don’t take down ideas, your own and others they could be gone in the blink of an eye. You’ll be amazed at the challenges a listening culture can overcome.

Delegate and spend more time with your family. The art of delegation is the skill that any entrepreneur must master. Hire your weaknesses if you find people that can take on tasks you are not good at, it frees you up to plan for the future and spending time with your famil.y Whihc is really the most important thing in the world.

7 – Turn off that laptop or iPhone and get your ASS out there.

Rather than sitting in front of your screen all your day, trying switching it all off and going out into the world. Start with your own backyard then go out into the world. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. With so many fascinating people to meet and so many exciting adventures to embark upon and rewarding challenges to undertake, there’s no time to lose.

8 – Communicate collaborate and communicate some more

Keep it simple stupid and above all else keep it coming. Mushrooms might grow when they’re left in the dark and fed a diet of dung but it doesn’t work with people. Remember Steve jobs and the piazza of people, build open work environments that invite your people to mingle and share their visions.

9 – Do what you love and have a couch in the kitchen

As long as you are surrounded by the people you love and are doing what you love it really doesn’t matter where you are . When we are on necker we tend to spend most of our time in the kitchen. Add a bedroom and a partner you love, and you really don’t need to much more.