Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

Description

The unusual, frequently outrageous autobiography of one of the great business geniuses of our time, Richard Branson. In little more than twenty-five years, Richard Branson spawned nearly a hundred successful ventures. From the airline business (Virgin Atlantic Airways), to music (Virgin Records and V2), to cola (Virgin Cola), and others ranging from financial services to bridal wear, Branson has a track record second to none. Many of his companies were started in the face of entrenched competition. The experts said, "Don't do it." But Branson found golden opportunities in markets in which customers have been ripped off or underserved, where confusion reigns, and the competition is complacent. In this stressed-out, overworked age, Richard Branson gives us a new model: a dynamic, hardworking, successful entrepreneur who lives life to the fullest. Branson has written his own "rules" for success, creating a group of companies with a global presence, but no central headquarters, no management hierarchy, and minimal bureaucracy. Family, friends, fun, and adventure are equally important as business in his life. Losing My Virginity is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life, filled with rich and colorful stories, including: - Crash-landing his hot-air balloon in the Algerian desert, yet remaining determined to have another go at being the first to circle the globe - Signing the Sex Pistols, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Boy George, and Phil Collins - Fighting back when British Airways took on Virgin Atlantic and successfully suing this pillar of the British business establishment - Swimming two miles to safety during a violent storm off the coast of Mexico - Staging a rescue flight into Baghdad before the start of the Gulf War And much more. Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum. Review: Inspirational and prepare to read in one sitting! - This is a great read and very inspirational. I read it in one sitting (I was on holiday mind) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Richard Branson was, to me, a man of relative mystery: he graces our tv screens, magazines, advertising campaigns but do you really know much about him? about his childhood, family life, morals and values, charity work, aims and what drives him/has driven him to success. This book successfully delivers on a lot of that mystique whilst simultaneously not divulging too much personal detail (unlike other "shock" autobiographies which I could mention). This book does not need to rely on revelations as the man has had such a fascinating life: that alone will provide hours of entertainment and things to think about. On the downside (!) I purchased this book whilst deliberating the future of my own career and options for entrepreneurship, but Richard Branson strikes me as such a unique, one of a kind breed, that it did leave me a little downhearted. I can't see that there are many people in the world who would pursue life and business paths in such a positive, risk-averse, determined way. That will be why he is now a multi-millionaire and I'm still treading the path most followed! maybe one day. Also, the book made me feel as if I knew Richard Branson as a friend and left me with a lot of questions - I wanted to call him up to go out for a beer. It was very disappointing to snap back to reality and have to talk to my boyfriend instead :-) Buy, read, learn, enjoy. A fantastic read. Review: Jewels of wisdom from Richard, I just craved more! - I'm glad I read this book, the chronology of it flows exceptionally and it's like finding a real gem of understanding reading his anecdotes and reactions to situations that come his way. The most interesting parts for me was understanding his business start-up and development (the first half I would say), this could sell the book on its own. Problems: Ok, I'm not sure about everyone else's reasons, but the reasons why I chose to read this book in the first place was to understand how and why Mr Branson approaches business in the way he does and what EXACTLY his methodology and thought processes are/were. Perhaps it's curiosity, tips, self-evaluation, whatever. Anyway, all the other peripheral stuff like his ballooning trips (multiple and repetitive) and the social conscience he develops and promotes toward the end just really slow down the momentum of the book. I guess I wanted consistent and unadulterated nitty gritty insight into the grey matter of a stupendously successful businessman but there were only snippets and cryptic clues throughout that verged on frustrating. But whatever, it's Richard: he and his philosophies are awesome and you should buy this book just to contribute to the Virgin Empire.