I've been lucky to have survived balloon trips, boating trips, you know, a lot of rather foolish things in my life, so I was definitely born under a lucky star.

Innovation happens when people are given the freedom to ask questions and the resources and power to find the answers.

When something doesn't go exactly to plan, money is tight or a business is struggling - see it as a challenge rather than a failure. Look outside the box and try and find a solution - you'll be surprised how many great opportunities and possibilities arise when things look bad. You've just got to open your mind and not be afraid of sticking your neck out!

When employees tell you about their good ideas for the business, don't limit your response to asking questions, taking notes and following up. If you can, ask those people to lead their projects and take responsibility for them. From those experiences, they will then have built the confidence to take on more and you can take a further step back.

The balloons only have one life and the only way of finding out whether they work is to attempt to fly around the world.

Over the years I have found one of my best strengths is my ability to recognise talent and trust them.

I think because I have great difficulty saying the word, 'no,' almost every day's a different adventure.