Branson School of Entrepreneurship

Sir Richard Branson is truly an entreprenant individual. He embodies what it means to me a successful business adventurer. To list all of Branson's entrepreneurial accomplishments here would be both time consuming and somewhat redundant as there are a number of Branson biographies posted all over the web (he has also published 3 well known autobiographies). However here are a few current highlights:

- today his Virgin Group has expanded into leisure, travel, tourism, mobile, broadband, TV, radio, music festivals, finance and health through 200 companies in over 30 countries.

- the Virgin Green Fund is successfully investing in renewable energy and resource efficiency.

- the Virgin Earth Challenge is a prize of $25 million for whoever can design a technology which will result in the net removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases.

- Virgin Unite is a not-for-profit entrepreneurial foundation with the goal of revolutionizing the way businesses and the social sector work together - driving business as a force for good.

One of the most interesting of Branson's initiatives is the Branson School of Entrepreneurship founded in Johannesburg in 2005. The School is a partnership between Virgin Unite and CIDA City Campus (founded by fellow entrepreneur Taddy Bletcher) that aims to improve economic growth in South Africa with the goal of launching 30 small businesses each year. More specifically the Branson School of Entrepreneurship works to:

- Identify and nurture individuals with entrepreneurial potential

- Develop potential entrepreneurs in a practical, relevant and holistic way

- Provide students with real-world business skills and mentorship

- Promote entrepreneurship as a desirable career option and

- Support start-ups and micro-enterprises with skills, mentors, services, networks and finance arrangements

Like most entrepreneurs Branson lives on the forefront of economic, cultural, and social change. Today many universities are following suit by emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship in their classrooms. It is this type of thinking that will lead to the business revolution that the world so desperately needs to enhance both economic and social growth.

Are Entrepreneurship and Leadership the Same?

Do entrepreneurs and leaders possess some or all of the same qualities?

These thoughts struck when thinking about the qualities of leaders in business. Good leaders are usually strong willed, so are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs possess the self confidence to follow their dream and achieve goals, more in a strategic and planned sense, so do good leaders.

Good leaders are often energetic and get things done, so do successful entrepreneurs. As I am writing this I'm just thinking of these qualities as I go and the matches keep coming.

Successful entrepreneurs often end up leading the organisation they have built. A good example being Richard Branson. In my experience good leaders tend to be dissatisfied once their goals have been achieved. They need a new challenge to stimulate them. Winston Churchill was a brilliant war time leader but not so successful as peace time Prime Minister.

Entrepreneurs sometimes bore easily and after starting one successful enterprise will go off and do some thing similar again. They also, like good leaders need the stimulation that new challenges create.

Where a difference comes in is that good leaders can be found in all fields of activity leading and managing commercial and non commercial organisations. Whereas successful entrepreneurs are mostly found in commercial activities, making money.

Can entrepreneurship and leadership be taught? This could cause a lot of debate. To me leadership comes from experience and a desire of the strong willed to make a difference. Entrepreneurship on the other hand comes from a desire to make money and this is often a personal driver.

There are a number common qualities as I think I have shown, but there is also a big difference in where the motivation comes from. You will find more about entrepreneurs and leaders from the links in the resource box.