Love him or loathe him (or his company, Go Daddy Group, Inc.) Bob Parsons is a true character and undoubtedly one of the world’s most successful Internet entrepreneurs.

After a few previous ventures, Mr Parsons has built GoDaddy into the largest domain name registrar in the world, both in terms of new registrations and domains under management. Go Daddy currently registers or renews a domain name every second, has more than 5.5 million customers worldwide, manages more than 29 million domain names and employs more than 2,000 people!

As a private company, Go Daddy is not required to report its financial results, but its annual revenue is likely to be significantly higher than the 2006 figure of $240 million, which the company revealed in the lead-up to its since abandoned initial public offering (IPO).

Parsons is known for his risqué advertising (scantily dressed, buxom young women seem to dominate), his penchant for motorcycles, and his outspoken views about everything from domain name registration (understandably) to the treatment of war prisoners at Guantánamo Bay (less understandably).

What I don’t think anyone – certainly any entrepreneur - could question are Parson’s 16 Rules For Success. These rules range from “when you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think” to “anything that is not managed will deteriorate” to “never expect life to be fair”. My favorite? “Never give up”.

You’ve heard that elsewhere I’m sure… but it bears repeating, doesn’t it?

Parsons attributes his rise from rather humble beginnings to his current position as CEO of a hugely successful company to these 16 rules, and I have no doubt that EVERY reader of this newsletter would do well to internalize and follow them as well.

Personally, I recommend getting the Bob Parsons™ 16 Rules Poster. A few days ago my husband put up the poster, framed, above my desk. Whenever I glance at it, and read one or more of the rules, I get a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.

So yeah, I’m glad to have Bob Parsons watching over me…

Sources: Bob Parsons’ 16 Rules For Success, Paul Sloan, “Who’s Your Go Daddy?”, CNNMoney.com, December 19, 2006