Book Review - Business Stripped Bare by Richard Branson

To me, this book is a perfect follow on from Losing my Virginity and I enjoyed it more than Screw it, Lets do it. Yes, it’s a not so thinly veiled sales pitch for all things “Virgin”, but it’s also a fabulous insight into one of the more interesting business minds on the planet. Being Australian I was surprised at how much of an Australian focus there was with the tales about Virgin Blue and I think US readers would get the same feeling with the parts on the mobile networks there. There were times I cringed (Branson conducting a job interview from under his sheets in his bed) and others when I was super envious (mainly at the mentions of Necker Island) and more when I was in awe (this book conveys a far more philanthropic side to Branson that in his others). Easy reading and a great insight.

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By Kirsty Dunphey with No comments

Are you a Virgin or a Rolls Royce?

Just a quick blog here, but I woke up this morning with the unquenchable urge to tell you about one tiny part of a book I just read. HEMP – Highly Effective Marketing Plan by Peter Knight.

The section of the book asked people formulating marketing plans to consider which companies they were aiming to emulate in their marketing plans.

It’s a simple question – but brilliant I think.

Obviously a company aiming to be more like Toyota is going to be a very different company to one with a Body Shop state of mind. A company with a Jetstar, Easy Jet or South West feel will be quite different to an Emirates-esque one.

The message isn’t about copying these companies, just about recognising the good points in their culture, style, promotions, public perception and saying “that’s the type of company we are or would like to be”.

The case study provided in the book states:

“Redcup (the case study company) is Virgin Atlantic, Diesel, Mini Cooper S, Planet Organic. That’s because Redcup is young, bold, fun, iconoclastic and revolutionary.”

So in the words of the recently revived Spice Girls “Who do you think you are”?

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By Kirsty Dunphey with No comments