Just help your customers have fun

This article on Sir Richard Branson by Fast Company really got me thinking: All other things being equal in business, could the secret to success really be as simple as helping your customers have fun? One chewy tidbit:

“The head of American Airlines said, ‘What does Richard Branson know about the airline business? He comes from the entertainment business.’ But that was exactly what the airline business needed.” He has been right, of course. With the exception of Southwest, all of the look-alike U.S. carriers wound up filing for bankruptcy or going belly up. Meanwhile, Virgin, with its fun-loving flight attendants who seem to be hosting a party, is still thriving.