Sir Richard Branson Profiles of Leadership

Biography Born July 18 th , 1950 in Shamley Green, Surrey, England. His parents paid his way through school, where he had troubles with dyslexia. Has created many successful companies as well as unsuccessful companies. Ranked 236 th Richest man in the world in Forbes 2008 list of billionaires. Knighted in 1999. Married with two children; Holly and Sam.

Born July 18 th , 1950 in Shamley Green, Surrey, England.

His parents paid his way through school, where he had troubles with dyslexia.

Has created many successful companies as well as unsuccessful companies.

Ranked 236 th Richest man in the world in Forbes 2008 list of billionaires.

Knighted in 1999.

Married with two children; Holly and Sam.

Initial Business Venture Branson’s first business was growing Christmas trees and attempting to breed parakeets. When he left for boarding school his mother killed all the parakeets. While at school he created “Student” magazine which became a huge success. The entire magazine was created from this room in boarding school. His first and ultimate success was the creation of Virgin Records, which was a shop in London named as such because he and all his friends were virgins to the business realm. His career hit a snag however, when he was arrested for tax avoidance yet he claimed his records sold were export stock.

Branson’s first business was growing Christmas trees and attempting to breed parakeets. When he left for boarding school his mother killed all the parakeets.

While at school he created “Student” magazine which became a huge success. The entire magazine was created from this room in boarding school.

His first and ultimate success was the creation of Virgin Records, which was a shop in London named as such because he and all his friends were virgins to the business realm.

His career hit a snag however, when he was arrested for tax avoidance yet he claimed his records sold were export stock.

Successes Virgin Records- Branson had a vision of a recording studio that artists could artists could work in a relaxed environment where they could stay for days at a time and record at any time they felt convenient. He theorized that most artists feel creativity at night and would prefer working at night, where they could not do so at other recording studios. Branson purchased a country home and this is where he recorded his first song; Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. This eventually lead to the signing of the Sex Pistols who became even more popular as Branson ignored their controversial image.

Virgin Records- Branson had a vision of a recording studio that artists could artists could work in a relaxed environment where they could stay for days at a time and record at any time they felt convenient. He theorized that most artists feel creativity at night and would prefer working at night, where they could not do so at other recording studios. Branson purchased a country home and this is where he recorded his first song; Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. This eventually lead to the signing of the Sex Pistols who became even more popular as Branson ignored their controversial image.

Successes Virgin Atlantic- This airline was created in 1984, Branson actually sold his record company in 1992 for $1 billion to put more focus into the airline. This company is partnered with Singapore airlines and has two main hubs in London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The airline can be found in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. This airline is now testing Biofuel methods and plans on using algae based fuels to replace some of the burden and jet fuel. A unique trait is that all planes in the Virgin fleet have tv screens in the back of seats for all passengers.

Virgin Atlantic- This airline was created in 1984, Branson actually sold his record company in 1992 for $1 billion to put more focus into the airline. This company is partnered with Singapore airlines and has two main hubs in London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The airline can be found in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. This airline is now testing Biofuel methods and plans on using algae based fuels to replace some of the burden and jet fuel. A unique trait is that all planes in the Virgin fleet have tv screens in the back of seats for all passengers.

Other Successful Businesses Virgin Books Virgin Credit Cards Virgin Trains V2 Music – New record label Virgin Active – Fitness clubs Virgin Galactic - Space tourism Ulusaba – Game reserve in South Africa Necker Island – Private island for rent / vacation home

Virgin Books

Virgin Credit Cards

Virgin Trains

V2 Music – New record label

Virgin Active – Fitness clubs

Virgin Galactic - Space tourism

Ulusaba – Game reserve in South Africa

Necker Island – Private island for rent / vacation home

Personal Life Is known for risky world record attempts and excursions Owns Necker Island in the Caribbean and land in Antigua Had poor academic records contrasting his outstanding athletic performance Was a close friend of Steve Fossett whom was lost in 2007

Is known for risky world record attempts and excursions

Owns Necker Island in the Caribbean and land in Antigua

Had poor academic records contrasting his outstanding athletic performance

Was a close friend of Steve Fossett whom was lost in 2007

Virgin Galactic This company was founded in 2004 and is in the works of being the first commercial space flight. Based in New Mexico, Galactic will be operating two different space flights. The first flight will be to 21 km and passengers will experience 6 minutes of weightlessness. The second flight will ascend to 116 km and travel at the speed of mach 3 (2304 mph). This is be out of the earth’s atmosphere. http:// www.virgingalactic.com/flash.html?language = english

This company was founded in 2004 and is in the works of being the first commercial space flight.

Based in New Mexico, Galactic will be operating two different space flights.

The first flight will be to 21 km and passengers will experience 6 minutes of weightlessness.

The second flight will ascend to 116 km and travel at the speed of mach 3 (2304 mph). This is be out of the earth’s atmosphere.

http:// www.virgingalactic.com/flash.html?language = english

Leadership Laws The Law of the Lid The Law of Process The Law of Navigation The Law of Intuition The Law of the Big Mo

The Law of the Lid

The Law of Process

The Law of Navigation

The Law of Intuition

The Law of the Big Mo

World Record Attempts In 1986, Branson crossed the Atlantic in the fastest recorded time. In 1987, He was the first person to cross the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. This was the largest balloon of its kind and reached speeds of 130 mph. In 1991, He broke all kinds of records by flying from Japan to Arctic Canada via balloon reaching speeds in excess of 245 mph.

In 1986, Branson crossed the Atlantic in the fastest recorded time.

In 1987, He was the first person to cross the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. This was the largest balloon of its kind and reached speeds of 130 mph.

In 1991, He broke all kinds of records by flying from Japan to Arctic Canada via balloon reaching speeds in excess of 245 mph.

Facts, Miscellaneous Info Has written 17 books. Tubular Bells was the easily recognizable theme song from The Exorcist. Has bridal stores named Virgin Bride, in England. Registered the name “Virgin Interplanetary,” in the event that space travel becomes commercially viable. Co-founded, with Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel, world human rights advocacy group called, The Elders in July 2007.

Has written 17 books.

Tubular Bells was the easily recognizable theme song from The Exorcist.

Has bridal stores named Virgin Bride, in England.

Registered the name “Virgin Interplanetary,” in the event that space travel becomes commercially viable.

Co-founded, with Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel, world human rights advocacy group called, The Elders in July 2007.

Sources http:// richardbransonfan.com/index.html http:// richard.virgin.com / http://www.investingvalue.com/investment-leaders/richard-branson/index.htm

http:// richardbransonfan.com/index.html

http:// richard.virgin.com /

http://www.investingvalue.com/investment-leaders/richard-branson/index.htm