Richard's Blog - 2010

Customer service matters

Customers shouldn’t just think of your business as a place to buy a product or use a service - it should be a fun place to be!Making customer service key to your organisation will keep your employees motivated and your customers happy.This in turn ensures enduring loyalty, business success, and most importantly, a more fulfilling and meaningful experience for all.Read my full article on why customer service matters in a recent New York Times syndicate blog on LiveMint.com.…

60 questions for my 60th year - part 2

In part two of 60 questions for my 60th year, i answer more of your questions, including ones on running the London Marathon. I also reveal what makes me cry, the key to success in three words, who i would like to meet and more. Watch part one of Richard Branson's 60 questions for my 60th year. Part three of this Richard Branson interview will be published next week.…

Support the campaign for broadband honesty

Virgin prides itself on being innovative and challenging the norms but my views on how to treat customers are pretty traditional. Whether it’s a topped up pint in the pub, the full forty miles-to-the–gallon or broadband speeds - we should all get what we pay for. At Virgin, we believe in being honest about the service we provide. But there’s something going on in broadband advertising that’s just plain wrong. Read my full open letter on the Stop The Broadband Con! w…

60 questions for my 60th year - part 1

Earlier this year i sat down to answer 60 questions from Virgin staff all around the world to mark my 60th birthday.Here is the first part, there will be a new video every week until the end of 2010.…

Global Entrepreneurship Week

The tough global challenges around poverty, climate change and health can’t be solved by Governments and NGOs alone. We work with our non profit foundation Virgin Unite to encourage the Virgin companies to use their assets and people to improve the world around them.If you want inspiration, take a look at the young entrepreneurs at the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in South Africa, who are building businesses to create jobs and change the world around them. Truly inspiring. …

Supporting Africa's 'can-do' start-ups

I visit Africa often, and it is apparent that a “yes, we can” attitude is spreading across the continent.Awareness of its business and investment opportunities is reaching around the globe too.Virgin Unite has established the Branson School of Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg to support and celebrate young South Africans as they launch new ventures.We have also launched Enterprise Zimbabwe, together with Humanity United and The Nduna Foundation, and are investing in African businesse…

Never too old to be a Virgin

You are never too old to be a Virgin (employee)!It is an especially appropriate time for me to address the issues of age and the work force, as I turned 60 in July.This year I ran my first marathon and tried to set a record as the oldest person to kite-surf across the English Channel - both tasks usually associated with younger people. And I'm not alone.Read my latest New York Times Syndicate blog on why I think there is a strong business case for companies to diversify the age groups they emplo…

In Canada supporting the RE*Generation Movement

This week I have been in Canada calling on people to help stop youth homelessness across the country and support the RE*Generation Movement.In the pictures you can see me serving breakfast to youths at Eva's Phoenix, a Toronto youth shelter. A year ago, I was in Toronto to help launch the results of a national research study that showed just how prevalent youth homelessness is across this country. And yet the issue continues to receive low levels of social and government support and community an…

How to succeed at failure

Recognising failure and recovering from mistakes are essential skills for any entrepreneur.Entrepreneurs need to be strong-willed, confident without being cocky, and determined to make an idea work, often against the odds.In a recent New York Times Syndicate blog I explain how you can find success in every failure.Go to OpenForum.com to read the whole article.…

Spaceport America Runway Dedication

It is incredible to be here with Governor Richardson and be part of the runway dedication at Spaceport America. To see for myself how far the construction has come from when I last visited New Mexico is truly inspiring - I for one can't wait for the grand opening - this has brought it one step closer to reality for me. The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic's development. Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights, propelled by…

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