II. Work with a partner. Look at the facts about Richard Branson and ask and answer...

Question

II. Work with a partner. Look at the facts about Richard Branson and ask and answer questions about how he works. Use these question forms to help you.

Richard Branson’s 10 secrets of success

What … ? Where … ? How … ? Does he … ?

How many … ? How much … ? When … ? Why … ?

Has he … ? How often … ? What sort of … ?

1. He employs people he likes personally. This is more important to him than qualifications.

2. He regularly works an eleven-hour day, starting around eight and finding around seven at night.

3. He spends a lot of time talking to people on the telephone but henever sends memos.

4. He rarely holds board meetings. He makes decisions on the phone or on the tennis court.

5. He has a good memory and he writes people’s names on his hand so he doesn’t forget them.

6. He invites every single one of his 10,000 employees to a party at his home in Oxfordshire every year. The last party cost around &100,000.

7. He continually questions his employees about every aspect of the business and he tries to pick holes in their arguments to find out whether their ideas will work.

8. If he becomes annoyed in meetings, he leaves the room. He hardly ever loses his temper.

9. He has had several business failures in the past and nearly went bankrupt several times but he has always survived. He puts his success down to good ideas, good people, and good luck.

10. He didn’t go into business to make money. He went into business because he wanted a challenge.

Answer 1

1. What sort of people does he employ? – He employs people he likes personally. This is more important to him than qualifications.
2. How many hours a day does he regularly work? – He regularly works an eleven-hour day, starting around eight and finding around seven at night.
3. Does he spend a lot of time talking to people on the telephone ? – Yes, he does. He spends a lot of time talking to people on the telephone but he never sends memos.
4. How often does he hold board meetings?– He rarely holds board meetings.
How does he make decisions? – He makes decisions on the phone or on the tennis court.
5. Does he have a good memory? – Yes, he does. He has a good memory and he writes people’s names on his hand so he doesn’t forget them.
6. How many employees does he invite to a party at his home in Oxfordshire every year? – He invites every single one of his 10,000 employees to a party at his home in Oxfordshire every year.
How much did the last party cost? – The last party cost around &100,000.
7. What does he continually question his employees about? – He continually questions his employees about every aspect of the business and he tries to pick holes in their arguments to find out whether their ideas will work.
8. What does he do if he becomes annoyed in meetings? – If he becomes annoyed in meetings, he leaves the room.
Does he ever lose his temper? – No, he doesn't.
9. Has he had several business failures in the past? – Yes, he has. He has had several business failures in the past and nearly went bankrupt several times but he has always survived.
What does he put his success down to? – He puts his success down to good ideas, good people, and good luck.
10. Why did he go into business? – He didn’t go into business to make money. He went into business because he wanted a challenge.