2500 businessmen listened to the innovator founder of Virgin Group, which is currently formed by 360 companies

Richard Branson was in Mexico last week attending the World Business Forum Mexico 2014 and delivered several ideas under his original style.

“Lots of people (including me) dream about going to space, so there is nothing more exciting than starting a business that would make that dream come true”, said Branson, referring to Virgin Galactic. This business already has the participation of six or seven Mexicans. The first trip, which will take place during the first trimester of 2015, has already been programed. Branson, his son and six other people will take part in it.

Branson said that fear cannot be an excuse for not developing a business idea. “For example, when we decided to settle a mobile phone company in South America and Mexico, many people said: but, that is huge and there is too many wealthy people there! What’s the point of establishing a mobile phone’s company if they are going to tear you apart? But our attitude was: we can bet on very good quality, good added value and great things. We can have success.”

Branson claims that if you are not having fun, if you don’t enjoy being an entrepreneur, then you are probably doing it the wrong way. If you have fun there is a better chance of creating a positive and innovative environment in your business.

The visionary English entrepreneur spoke about the importance of having a winning attitude no matter the challenge you are facing. “The story of Virgin has always been as David against Goliath in every industry where we have succeeded. The only way David can beat Goliath is by doing something unique. The only way of winning is being the best in everything”, he assures.

Success is also a matter of attitude. Believing in yourself and not being afraid of rejection are key elements in great leaders’ ascent. “In the recording studio we used to have a cleaning lady, she had this attitude and ended up managing the studio.”

Branson thinks a good leader tries to bring out the best in people, he does not criticize them and aims to make them great leaders to worry about other. “Someone who does not worry about the entire team’s mood may quickly destroy the company, as he destroys moral itself and it is very difficult to recover from that.” He said reaching the top is hard, but remaining there is even harder.

He shared a great story with the attendants: “there were six people coming for work, I knew ate what time they were arriving at the airport, so I disguised myself as a very old taxi driver. I had a completely new face and a cane, so I went to the airport and acted as if I was 90 years old. When they arrived, those who had asked me to carry their luggage did not get the job, and those who had actually carried their own luggage and helped me putting it in the trunk, did get the job.”

Not long ago, Branson announced that he would give unlimited vacations to his employees as long as they fulfil their jobs. His creativity seems to have no limits and his defiant spirit seems forever young, despite the fact he already turned 60 years old.

Branson insisted during his lecture that besides negotiating and having success, it is important to think about other people. “If you can use your entrepreneurial abilities to make money, you can use those abilities to solve the world’s problems. If you are a small business, maybe you can solve the situation of homeless people in your community. If you are a larger business, maybe you can solve national problems in your country.”

For this “special” businessman, family life has always been very important, even more important than work. “If you are struggling to achieve work-life balance, both areas may be affected. Part of the solution seems to be in considering your family time as a priority”, says Branson.

“If your entire life is based on work, you will not be a happy person and I believe you have to try to achieve that balance, I believe that when you are running a company, you must delegate”.

The magnate works from an island in the Caribbean, Necker Island “if I’m going to work, I must do it in a pretty place, so I work from the Caribbean and it is marvellous”.

Branson does not avoid discussing any subjects, as he also talked about the situation in Mexico and its consequences on doing business in that country. “People are being killed in Mexico, the judiciary system is having as a result the corruption of its police forces (…) this war must have a change of focus”, he recommended. “This war has failed for 60 years and governments keep on with it; who actually suffer it are the people; the amount of people who are dead and shouldn’t be is enormous. If I have a business that has being failing for 60 years, I either change it, close it, end it or maybe I can give it another direction. Countries that deal with drug trafficking as a health’s issue, instead of as a criminal issue, do actually solve this problem”, he added.

The multimillionaire claimed he can make Mexican magnate, Carlos Slim, “sweat a little”, as regards the Mexican wireless communications’ market.

He stated that he is interested on providing a good service to people and in achieving satisfaction among his employees, because that is the way to achieve customer satisfaction. Portability has enabled companies such as Virgin Mobile to gain clients among large companies, such as América Móvil, which decided to such from a mobile communications provider without changing their current phone numbers.  “Competition is good for slim and it provides great benefits to the Mexican people”, he said.

“If I’m received like this every time I come to Mexico, I think we will be launching a new business every day… for the time being, we are analysing opportunities in the radio and financial services. Our possibility today might be Mexico”, stated Branson.