Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He founded the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies.
Conflicts often stem from a couple of leaders on both sides that are badly brought up. They'd rather go to war than compromise. And in business, you're competing with other companies all the time, but you don't end up going to war with each other.
Never to be frightened of taking risks and always follow your instincts!
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.
Smiling can be a competitive advantage. It makes everyone feel better and every situation brighter.
Throughout my business life I have always tried to keep on top of costs and protect the downside risk as much possible. The Virgin Group has survived only because we have always kept tight control of our cash. But, likewise, I also know that sometimes it is essential to break these rules and spend lavishly.
As a leader of people, you have to be a great listener, a great motivator, be very good at praising and bringing out the best in people.
People have to decide on priorities if they want to get anywhere. The best lessons I learned was to just do it.
The entrepreneurs who succeed usually want to make a difference to people’s lives, not just their own bank balances.
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.
I believe in goals. It's never a bad thing to have a dream. If something is really what you want to do, just do it. Whatever your goal.
And obviously, from our own personal point of view, the principal challenge is a personal challenge.
I myself have invested in Uber and Hailo, I think they offer great alternatives to disrupt markets that have remained unchanged for many years.
On conflicts, generally speaking, the world is a hell of a lot better to live in today than it was thirty years ago, despite what's going on in Syria. There are definitely hopeful signs that the world is moving, decade by decade, in the right direction.
Sometimes I do wake up in the mornings and feel like I've just had the most incredible dream. I've just dreamt my life
I never get the accountants in before I start up a business. It's done on gut feeling, especially if I can see that they are taking the mickey out of the consumer.
Rather than getting nostalgic. . . embrace the new opportunities and challenges available to you now.
Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won't make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa - and it's about getting a balance.
Take the competition seriously, but not yourself.
I'm sure if Brawn GP keep plying me with champagne and putting gorgeous Virgin girls either side of me, you never know!