When I started Virgin from a basement in west London, there was no great plan or strategy. I didn't set out to build a business empire ... For me, building a business is all about doing something to be proud of, bringing talented people together and creating something that's going to make a real difference to other people's lives.

The quality of business communications has become poorer in recent years as people avoid phone calls and face-to-face meetings, I can only assume, in some misguided quest for efficiency.

I make up my mind about whether I can trust someone within 60 seconds of meeting them

Those who achieve great things are the ones willing to be scared but not scared off. If you dream big and take risks, impossible becomes just a word.

Don't think about making money, think about making a difference, spot where others are doing it badly and do it better

Learn to look after your staff first and the rest will follow

Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.