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Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School
Business advice from the best in the business
Looking for advice in setting up your own company, improving your career prospects, or developing your leadership skills? Why not ask Richard Branson?
In Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School, Richard distils and shares the wisdom and experience that have made him one of the world's most recognised and re...more
Looking for advice in setting up your own company, improving your career prospects, or developing your leadership skills? Why not ask Richard Branson?
In Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School, Richard distils and shares the wisdom and experience that have made him one of the world's most recognised and re...more
Paperback, 343 pages
Published
2012
by Virgin
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Jan 14, 2013
Daniel G.
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
business,
leadership
Sir Richard Branson has been taking questions from journalists for years on how he runs the Virgin brand so successfully. He's always willing to answer because he believes that the more successful entrepreneurs there are in the world, the better it will be.
This book has dozens of short chapters, as it's essentially a guide book for entrepreneurs in question-and-answer format. Branson approaches the topics with his idiosyncratic humour, and they cover everything from starting a business to making...more
This book has dozens of short chapters, as it's essentially a guide book for entrepreneurs in question-and-answer format. Branson approaches the topics with his idiosyncratic humour, and they cover everything from starting a business to making...more
What better way is there, for a sixty year old billionaire, than to quiet his frequent hangovers by swimming around his private island in the Caribbean? Richard Branson is unconventional. His parents wisely agreed that he should drop out of high school to start a magazine business. Yet he is a better businessman than most folks who graduate from college. Richard Branson views the business transaction in the customers’ shoes, leads rather than bosses and micromanages, puts his employees first (as...more
By (Sir) Richard Branson. Grade: A
If the same content had been published under a name unknown to the whole world, this book would have drawn few eyes. Fortunately, when Richard Brandon offers you business advice, you listen. Why? Because it's Richard Branson. He is a hugely successful international entrepreneur, adventurer and icon, and is the founder of the Virgin Group. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, this progressed to an audio record mail-o...more
If the same content had been published under a name unknown to the whole world, this book would have drawn few eyes. Fortunately, when Richard Brandon offers you business advice, you listen. Why? Because it's Richard Branson. He is a hugely successful international entrepreneur, adventurer and icon, and is the founder of the Virgin Group. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, this progressed to an audio record mail-o...more
This book is like reading a blog, but in book format.
By that I mean it's a hotchpotch collection of Richard Branson's musings on a wide range of topics.
If you're trying to better understand Branson the man, then perhaps this 'essay/blog post collection' can enable you to achieve that.
But the subheading "Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business" implies a self-help element - and in picking up such a book, I'm not out to learn about Richard Branson, I'm out to learn specific expertise.
With all Bra...more
By that I mean it's a hotchpotch collection of Richard Branson's musings on a wide range of topics.
If you're trying to better understand Branson the man, then perhaps this 'essay/blog post collection' can enable you to achieve that.
But the subheading "Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business" implies a self-help element - and in picking up such a book, I'm not out to learn about Richard Branson, I'm out to learn specific expertise.
With all Bra...more
By (Sir) Richard Branson. Grade: A
If the same content had been published under a name unknown to the whole world, this book would have drawn few eyes. Fortunately, when Richard Brandon offers you business advice, you listen. Why? Because it’s Richard Branson. He is a hugely successful international entrepreneur, adventurer and icon, and is the founder of the Virgin Group. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, this progressed to an audio record mail-o...more
If the same content had been published under a name unknown to the whole world, this book would have drawn few eyes. Fortunately, when Richard Brandon offers you business advice, you listen. Why? Because it’s Richard Branson. He is a hugely successful international entrepreneur, adventurer and icon, and is the founder of the Virgin Group. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, this progressed to an audio record mail-o...more
Looking for advice on setting up your own company, improving your career prospects, or developing your leadership skills? Why not ask Richard Branson?
There are some books that does not need a review, they are already a master piece. One such book is ‘Like A Virgin’.The author of this book is none than owner of Virgin Group, who has more than 400 companies under the banner.
In this book he has shared his ideas of making a venture successful and all tips that a
budding entrepreneur or an already su...more
There are some books that does not need a review, they are already a master piece. One such book is ‘Like A Virgin’.The author of this book is none than owner of Virgin Group, who has more than 400 companies under the banner.
In this book he has shared his ideas of making a venture successful and all tips that a
budding entrepreneur or an already su...more
This was the first Branson book I've read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. However, there is nothing too earth shattering re business in this book that will make you feel like you've learned something new. Yet, the book does contain a lot of encouragement to keep you motivated in this tough economy. More, just reading about another's business experiences always seems to spark my own random ideas. Since the book is really just a collection of answers to questions Branson has previously answered over...more
Daar Mr Branson,
While I do enjoy reading your stories of your business successes and tips, and find your endless optimism, faith and trust in your employees refreshing - traits which I have rarely found matched in any organization I have ever worked for, please refrain from rubbing it in every second chapter that you have your own private island and that you do business from your hammock while nursing a hangover from wild partying the night before - that's just not fair!
Thank you!
Derek A
While I do enjoy reading your stories of your business successes and tips, and find your endless optimism, faith and trust in your employees refreshing - traits which I have rarely found matched in any organization I have ever worked for, please refrain from rubbing it in every second chapter that you have your own private island and that you do business from your hammock while nursing a hangover from wild partying the night before - that's just not fair!
Thank you!
Derek A
A fairly good read. Overall i felt that it was a bit light and a touch repetitive. I think perhaps it was tilted toward a slightly less knowledgeable reader. I certainly learnt a lot about Virgin, but less about business than I perhaps thought I would. I guess I expected more impactful lessons.
That said, I went through it in less than a week. It reads well, and is a good snapshot of Branson the man.
Easy, informative and fun, but doesn't deliver a huge amount of business knowledge.
That said, I went through it in less than a week. It reads well, and is a good snapshot of Branson the man.
Easy, informative and fun, but doesn't deliver a huge amount of business knowledge.
This was a quick read for me-- I read it on the plane last night. Since I never thought I would be an "entrepreneur" I never thought about reading books about those that are. Now that I'm running my own company, I'm all about learning from those that have been there, done that. This was a fast, easy read but with really good insights, particularly about managing people, trusting your "gut" and learning from mistakes. I'm definitely going to read his others.
Great Richard Branson is a hero of mine!!!
I love his philosophy on life.
I like the way he conducts his business ventures and he's just a good bloke and a great inspiration.
This book is business advice from the best in the business.
His chapter on customer service was interesting.
In this book Richard shares his wisdom and experiences that have made him one of the world's most respected entrepreneurs.
I love his philosophy on life.
I like the way he conducts his business ventures and he's just a good bloke and a great inspiration.
This book is business advice from the best in the business.
His chapter on customer service was interesting.
In this book Richard shares his wisdom and experiences that have made him one of the world's most respected entrepreneurs.
An entertaining mishmash of thoughts, some of which touch on business school concepts, but which mostly focus on knowing yourself and what you want to accomplish, treating employees like owners and trusting them/giving them latitude (and giving them real vacation time!), and knowing when to let go, admit mistakes, and move on. Inspirational-lite, basically, but certainly more CEOs could stand to read this.
I have read all Richards books, and this is the first one I haven't truly loved. Not that there is anything wrong with the content, but it just seems like it's style of collecting blog-like posts and throw in a few letters, Q&As etc give it a feeling of just wanting to publish something to keep the name hot. There are still some nice tidbits here and there though.
This is great book. Branson talks so much about what is entrepreneurship, the secret of being successful person, what is the true meaning of starting company, etc.
Not just about entrepreneursip nor business, Branson also talks about energy and environmental issue, health issue, and so on which is important nowadays.
This book is very recommended for everyone, not just budding entrepreneur or businessman.
Not just about entrepreneursip nor business, Branson also talks about energy and environmental issue, health issue, and so on which is important nowadays.
This book is very recommended for everyone, not just budding entrepreneur or businessman.
A wonderful collection of business wisdom with an ADHD look and feel. Richard Branson presents nearly 100 tiny chapters (4-5 pages each) of his thoughts, values and experiences amassed in 40 years of successful entrepreneurship. Will restore your faith in business as a driver of growth and progress.
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Not only is this billionaire down to earth but gives pretty realistic and no holes bared advice regarding family...passion...love... and business...
His essentials are simply...Invest in your employees..the customers..and then shareholders...
Great read... that one can take to the bank....
His essentials are simply...Invest in your employees..the customers..and then shareholders...
Great read... that one can take to the bank....
This book is a quick read. It doesn't operate on theory as much as it provides helpful anecdotes on various aspects of leadership. It can be repetitive and not well-organized, but it provides "on the job" insights that you won't find in the same way in other books on leadership.
This is a very light business book, full of tidbits of good advice. I found it particularly easy to pick up and put down when I had a spare 10 minutes. Richards focus on people instead of profits is a refreshing change and one I would like to see used by more business owners.
Whilst it feels a little self (and Virgin) promotional, there are some useful lessons in this book, however if you regularly read business and personal development books, many of the lessons will seem familiar. It is interesting to read them under the context of Virgin.
Didn't actually read this..
but attended a book review of this...
Its truely a great and inspiring books, which deals with the management lessons outside the Syllabus.
The author has quoted his personal experiences as well in the book.
but attended a book review of this...
Its truely a great and inspiring books, which deals with the management lessons outside the Syllabus.
The author has quoted his personal experiences as well in the book.
The newest and most inspiring book by Richard Branson. It contains a couple of lessons from his business and life thought the years. Most of them are really valuable. As usual I rally enjoyed reading his book.
I found this slap dash collection of musings overly simple. There wasn't much meat to any of the recommendations: think big, be positive, believe in yourself and others Etc.
Very good read, best thing is that each chapter can be read by itself. Optimism, motivation & having a good joyful spirit is what I got from this book.
Repetitive. Seems like one big PR plug. Still interesting to gain a glimpse of the Virgin brand's history, though.
Some of the best practical things an entrepreneur may get to read. Random, but very useful.
I must say he is an extremely lucky guy to be hugely successful , if !he does business this way
A journey through Richard Branson's inbox. Insightful, hilarious and inspiring...
Oct 14, 2012
Pam
is currently reading it
Nothing original in this book......the same old theories. I am disappointed so far.
very repetitive, would be 5 stars if it was 130 pages instead of 360.
Believe it or not, they do teach you to differentiate yourself when entering a mature market in business school. While not a waste of time, I have found other comparable business books more insightful than Mr. Branson's.
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Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. Branson's first successful business venture was at age 16, when he published a magazine called Student. He then set up a record mail-order business in 1970. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores and rebranded as zavvi in...more
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