Richard Branson’s Post

Do you have a question you've always wanted to ask me? Share it as a comment below, and I'll pick one (or a few!) to answer in my next #AskRichard LinkedIn Newsletter. You can find previous editions right here: https://bit.ly/3YqUOu2

What we mean when we say we’re Changing Business for Good: https://virg.in/3Ygn9CX Holly Branson

Where do you find inspiration in your career? I’ll never forget when Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, told me that Shakespeare had no small part to play in the founding of one of the world’s biggest companies. “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” But Sergey became most interested in the answer. We were on a Virgin Voyages cruise when he enlightened me with this intel. At the time of his ponderings, Ask Jeeves was the internet’s dominant search engine. Rather than searching for specific terms, people had to frame their queries as precisely worded questions. Jeeves, an old-fashioned butler (perhaps you remember him?), fetched the answers – not always effectively. Sergey decided to search: “To be or not to be”. Jeeves struggled to show him what he was looking for. This became part of the inspiration for Sergey and Larry Page to create Google. They needed to come up with an algorithm that could cover all search terms, no matter which way you worded it. ‘To be’ was the choice Sergey took, which is always a good idea! It reminded me of the time I was on-stage with Larry and he mentioned how I had founded more than 400 companies, while he had only founded one. Quick as a flash, I replied: “I’ll swap!" I’m not sure Shakespeare has ever been a source of inspiration for me. However, the process of turning a feeling of frustration into a business idea that no-one has ever thought of never fails to put a spring in my step. What about you? #inspiration #innovation #google

When the invite for Virgin Atlantic's 40th birthday party in London arrived, I knew I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Still, nothing beats a surprise…

Addressing issues in the education system by involving young people and those closest to the problems is one of the things that Big Change does best. I also love how it uses an entrepreneurial approach to scale its impact by backing early-stage projects that have the potential to transform the industry for the better if they are given the wings to do so. I’ve made no secret of my own struggles with education, so it fills me with pride to see how my kids and the whole Big Change team work so hard to address the root cause of the systemic issues that schools are up against. I’ve watched on with a lot of joy as Big Change has grown and grown over the past 12 years, and its latest impact report speaks volumes. Indeed, in the past four years alone, the charity has directed £5 million of funding to the education projects it supports, which has led to more than £60 million in follow-up funding. These projects have also engaged more than eight million children and young people. Entrepreneurial philanthropy at its best. Here’s more from Holly Branson: https://bit.ly/4fmn6fh

Great to see Virgin Media O2 create free resources that help adults have conversations with children and young people about ways to stay safe online. You can access the support (created in collaboration with Internet Matters Ltd, Action for Children and Good Things Foundation right here: https://lnkd.in/gwn3a76R #FindtheRightWords

Dyslexia doesn't have to stop your dreams coming true - and a 16-year-old I met is an incredible example of how you can turn your challenges into opportunities. Omari McQueen is dyslexic and (just like me) proudly attributes all his brilliant entrepreneurial ideas to his dyslexic thinking skills. Omari’s mum, Leah, empowered him to pursue his passions and not be afraid of failure. Here’s my advice on encouraging kids with dyslexia to discover their superpower: https://virg.in/4d8QO5q

So wonderful to see Virgin Australia show a group of young children with serious illnesses around its training centre, Brisbane Airport, and the Lounge, as part of a brilliant long-standing partnership with the Starlight Children's Foundation Australia. Here’s what they got up to: https://virg.in/4csdoWK

President Biden standing down is a smart, principled decision by a smart, principled man and gives the opportunity for the next generation to move America and humanity forward.

Cramming your colleagues’ diaries with meetings has got to be one of the worst things you can do for creativity and innovation, particularly in the world of remote working. A helpful reminder: https://lnkd.in/gBpcn8Nc