--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Develop the business around the people…" description: "\"Develop the business around the people; build it, don't buy it; and, then, be the best.\" — Richard Branson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richard-branson-256_being-the-best_develop-the-business-around-the-people-b_1588583.jpg" --- # Develop the business around the people; build it, don't… ![“Develop the business around the people; build it, don't buy it; and, then, be the best.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richard-branson-256_being-the-best_develop-the-business-around-the-people-b_1588583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richard-branson-256_being-the-best_develop-the-business-around-the-people-b_1588583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richard-branson-256_being-the-best_develop-the-business-around-the-people-b_1588583.jpg) > “Develop the business around the people; build it, don't buy it; and, then, be the best.” [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Build businesses that serve people, avoid shortcuts, and strive for excellence. **In simple terms:** Create people‑focused, high‑quality businesses. Key Takeaway Prioritize customers and quality. Themes entrepreneurship customer focus excellence Mood motivational pragmatic Type business inspirational When to use this quote - startup planning - product development - team building - market research Key Concepts business model ethical growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep customers central? - What defines “the best” for you? A Different Perspective Short‑term profit pressure can tempt shortcuts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being the best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-the-best/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-people/) [Develop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/develop/) [Develop Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/develop-business-392578/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-build/) ## Related quotes > [Our model is to develop each business separately with its own shareholder and management - this way we can concentrate on the job in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/our-model-is-to-develop-each-business-separately-with-its-own/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Yes, I'm really inspired by people like Jay-Z and 50-Cent to develop more business savvy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarion/yes-i-m-really-inspired-by-people-like-jay-z-and-50-cent-to-develop/) [Omarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarion/) > [During the period of China's rapid economic growth, there were plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs, including women. It allowed me to develop my business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhou-qunfei/during-the-period-of-china-s-rapid-economic-growth-there-were-plenty/) [Zhou Qunfei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhou-qunfei/) > [We have the enormous opportunity in our hands to make a positive difference for business, people, and the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/we-have-the-enormous-opportunity-in-our-hands-to-make-a-positive/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Business has to give people enriching, rewarding lives...or it's simply not worth doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/business-has-to-give-people-enriching-rewarding-lives-or-it-s-simply/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [For better or worse, a lot of people who build things don't want to part ways. They don't have the short exit plan that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-winklevoss/for-better-or-worse-a-lot-of-people-who-build-things-don-t-want-to/) [Cameron Winklevoss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-winklevoss/) > [Isn't it strange that ... people build walls to keep an enemy out, and there's only one part of the world and one philosophy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/isn-t-it-strange-that-people-build-walls-to-keep-an-enemy-out-and/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“People build something that works. Then circumstances change, and they have to tinker with it to make it continue to work, and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/people-build-something-that-works-then-circumstances-change-and-they/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [People who build their own home tend to be very courageous. These people are curious about life. 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Indians build a little-bitty fire and get real close.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickey-bray/white-people-build-a-really-big-fire-and-stand-way-back-indians-build/) [Rickey Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickey-bray/) > [Why do people have to build such depressing places? I'm not saying that every nook and cranny of the world has to be beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/why-do-people-have-to-build-such-depressing-places-i-m-not-saying/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“It might interest you to know," Tully says, "that there's a reason people build miniatures. Doesn't matter if it's guys laying out model railroads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/it-might-interest-you-to-know-tully-says-that-there-s-a-reason-people/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Two people could build an outhouse in four hours. They're not complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-maxwell/two-people-could-build-an-outhouse-in-four-hours-they-re-not/) [Robert Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-maxwell/) ## More by Richard Branson > [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Fantasizing about the future is one of my favorite pastimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/fantasizing-about-the-future-is-one-of-my-favorite-pastimes/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I will work day and night to avoid failure, but if I can't, I'll pick myself up the next day. The most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-will-work-day-and-night-to-avoid-failure-but-if-i-can-t-i-ll-pick/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Tough times are inevitable in life and in business. But how you compose yourself during those times defines your spirit and will define your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/tough-times-are-inevitable-in-life-and-in-business-but-how-you/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [All successful people - not just entrepreneurs - have got things wrong over and over again before finding the right solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/all-successful-people-not-just-entrepreneurs-have-got-things-wrong/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [We have the enormous opportunity in our hands to make a positive difference for business, people, and the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/we-have-the-enormous-opportunity-in-our-hands-to-make-a-positive/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I'm a great believer in life to saying yes and not saying no, and hopefully making people smile and just having fun in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-m-a-great-believer-in-life-to-saying-yes-and-not-saying-no-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Money is a poor indicator of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/money-is-a-poor-indicator-of-success/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Business leaders take things far too seriously, and forget that most of the time people spend in their lives is at work, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/business-leaders-take-things-far-too-seriously-and-forget-that-most/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I love the freedom of movement that my phone gives me. That has definitely transformed my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-love-the-freedom-of-movement-that-my-phone-gives-me-that-has/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Everything in your business can be outsourced... if you're not emotionally attached to doing it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/everything-in-your-business-can-be-outsourced-if-you-re-not/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [People have to decide on priorities if they want to get anywhere. The best lessons I learned was to just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/people-have-to-decide-on-priorities-if-they-want-to-get-anywhere-the/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [There isn't a flight goes by when I don't stare out of the window and thank my stars for what I'm seeing and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/there-isn-t-a-flight-goes-by-when-i-don-t-stare-out-of-the-window-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) [Explore all 805 Richard Branson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) ## More Being the best quotes > [High school sucked. 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Ah big clap from my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leodonessiony/ah-simple-laughter-that-you-trewing-on-my-face-is-a-simple-karma-that/) [Leodonessiony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leodonessiony/) > [To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/to-be-tested-is-good-the-challenged-life-may-be-the-best-therapist/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [There's no guarantee for the future; might as well be HAPPY now, and give my BEST in everything I do! In that way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/there-s-no-guarantee-for-the-future-might-as-well-be-happy-now-and/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Success lies not in the result but in the effort. BEING the Best is not at all important. DOING the Best is all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabin-shrestha/success-lies-not-in-the-result-but-in-the-effort-being-the-best-is/) [Prabin Shrestha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabin-shrestha/) > [Sometimes you choose the wrong actor, he could be the best actor ever, but hes not cast in the right part then it doesnt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-marceau/sometimes-you-choose-the-wrong-actor-he-could-be-the-best-actor-ever/) [Sophie Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-marceau/) > [I am not impressed with what people own. But I’m impressed with what they achieve. I’m proud to be a physician. Always strive to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-stanley/i-am-not-impressed-with-what-people-own-but-i-m-impressed-with-what/) [Thomas J. Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-stanley/) > [You have to love your country like an adult loves somebody, not like a child loves its mommy. And right-wing Republicans tend to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/you-have-to-love-your-country-like-an-adult-loves-somebody-not-like-a/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [My role is to think about tennis and to help Serena Williams be the best she can be and do what she wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mouratoglou/my-role-is-to-think-about-tennis-and-to-help-serena-williams-be-the/) [Patrick Mouratoglou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mouratoglou/) > [One of my mom's best lines is... You're not training to be the best in the world, you're training to be the best in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronda-rousey/one-of-my-mom-s-best-lines-is-you-re-not-training-to-be-the-best-in/) [Ronda Rousey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronda-rousey/) > [I've learned a simple principle: all I have to do is be the best 'me' that I can be. 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