Give your employees a mission that matches their ambitions. When you challenge people, they surprise you.

Good people have always been at the heart of the Virgin business, and that's largely because we have tried to keep our business small, and our management teams tight-knit. I feel that small, compact companies, are better run. That is partly because people feel more connected in small companies.

I just kind of dive in if I think I can create something that will make a difference and then try to get the numbers to stack up after the event. So most of the things I've done I would not have done if I'd have asked the accountants to look at them before.

I have always believed that the only way to cope with a cash crisis is not to contract but to try to expand out of it.

I moved into a nice houseboat in Little Venice when I was 15 years old. I found a girlfriend called Monday and a houseboat called Friday, so I had the week sewn up.

Remember it's OK to be yourself.

Remember the to-do list but don't forget the to-be list.