Bransons Social Presence
I have this week followed the press coverage of Sir Richard Branson. Virgin’s founder talks about why fellow entrepreneurs are uniquely suited to help fight problems such as poverty, AIDS, and climate change.
Branson says:
“A staggering half the planet lives on less than $2 per day. Some one billion people lack access to clean water. In Africa alone, 40 billion working hours are lost each year to time spent carrying water long distances. A quarter of a billion people live in overcrowded urban squatter settlements without adequate shelter. And, tragically, 16,000 people die every day from preventable, treatable diseases like AIDS, TB, and malaria.
Every time I travel to Africa, I am impressed by the tremendous entrepreneurial spirit of its people. But I am also saddened by the destructiveness of poverty and health crises like AIDS. It’s not unusual in a place like South Africa to see hundreds of signs for funeral services in townships and rural areas in the place of the signs for small businesses that were once a symbol of hope for a future free from poverty.
There are many efforts underway aimed at solving these global issues. But we must do more, and I believe that as entrepreneurs we have a unique role to play. Having spent the last 30 years launching businesses in everything from music to airlines, financial services to health clubs, telecommunications to commercial space travel, I’m a firm believer in the power of entrepreneurship to transform the global marketplace. As entrepreneurs, we are trained to spot possibilities where others see only obstacles and to never mind the bollocks driven by bureaucracy and red tape”
Branson si also backing a competition The PICNIC Green Challenge - calls on creative, innovative minds to come up with concrete solutions to fight climate change. Anyone with a good idea for a product or service that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in a consumer-friendly way and contributes to a sustainable lifestyle is welcome to take part. Each entry must be supported by a concrete plan to bring the idea to market within two years. To make their bright idea reality, the winner will receive EUR 500,000, coaching from business leaders and a list of potential customers.
The PICNIC Green Challenge’s jury will be chaired by super-entrepreneur Richard Branson of The Virgin Group. “This contest is going to help people to realise how much they are capable of,” he says. “Great things really do come out of simple ideas.”