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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | | | | "Oh, screw it, let's do it."
That's the philosophy that has allowed Richard Branson, in slightly more than twenty-five years, to spawn so many successful ventures. From the airline business (Virgin Atlantic Airways), to music (Virgin Records and V2), to cola (Virgin Cola), to retail (Virgin Megastores), and nearly a hundred others, ranging from financial services to bridal wear, Branson has a track record second to none.
Losing My Virginity is the unusual, frequently outrageous autobiography of one of the great business geniuses of our time. When Richard Branson started his first business, he and his friends decided that "since we're complete virgins at business, let's call it just that: Virgin." Since then, Branson has written his own "rules" for success, creating a group of companies with a global presence, but no central headquarters, no management hierarchy, and minimal bureaucracy.
Many of Richard Branson's companies--airlines, retailing, and cola are good examples--were started in the face of entrenched competition. The experts said, "Don't do it." But Branson found golden opportunities in markets in which customers have been ripped off or underserved, where confusion reigns, and the competition is complacent.
And in this stressed-out, overworked age, Richard Branson gives us a new model: a dynamic, hardworking, successful entrepreneur who lives life to the fullest. Family, friends, fun, and adventure are equally important as business in Branson's life. Losing My Virginity is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life, filled with rich and colorful stories:
Crash-landing his hot-air balloon in the Algerian desert, yet remaining determined to have another go at being the first to circle the globe
Signing the Sex Pistols, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Boy George, and Phil Collins
Fighting back when British Airways took on Virgin Atlantic and successfully suing this pillar of the British business establishment
Swimming two miles to safety during a violent storm off the coast of Mexico
Selling Virgin Records to save Virgin Atlantic
Staging a rescue flight into Baghdad before the start of the Gulf War . . .
And much more. Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum.
Also available in the UK from Virgin Publishing, and in Canada from General Publishing,
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| | Product Details | | Author: | Richard Branson | | Paperback: | 416 pages | | Publisher: | Three Rivers Press | | Publication Date: | October 19, 1999 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0812932293 | | Package Length: | 8.0 inches | | Package Width: | 5.2 inches | | Package Height: | 1.0 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.7 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 139 reviews |
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| | Features | ISBN13: 9780812932294Condition: NEWNotes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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 Billionaire - no college, no MBA, just have fun Mar 07, 2010
Richard Branson's Losing My Virginity is an autobiography from his youth to 2004.
This book offers a fascinating look into Branson's world. Branson did not do well in secondary school, never went to college, started a small student magazine, and several years later runs the Virgin empire and becoming a billionaire. Branson starts off saying that this book is not a how-to book, however I gleaned enough from his autobiography to have an idea of how he runs his businesses. Near the end of the book, he seems to describe how he thinks and how he approaches new business ventures.
Branson admits his is mildly dyslexia, hence is bad with numbers and statistics. Despite his dyslexia, he relies on his gut for his business decisions. This reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell's book Blink which is about thought without thinking, similar to gut thinking.
Of the things I noticed, Branson seems to be very resourceful. If he needed to get in touch with somebody, such as a world leader, he would just call or write a letter to them. He had an uncanny ability to find people to help start and run his businesses.
This book exemplifies that a person does not need a college degree or an MBA degree in order to be a successful entrepreneur. Much of what he knows seems to come from practical experience, much like an empiricist, and not tainted by the noise of academia or intellectualism that a person might get from universities. I don't think Branson is a fluke or a result of pure luck. He seems to repeat his success across several markets using the knowledge he learn from experience. There is a lot to come away with.
Great autobiography! Oct 19, 2009
"Losing my Virginity" is Richard Branson's autobiography and takes you on a pleasent ride all the way from his extraordinary childhood to the growing realms of the Virgin empire. It's really interesting to see how he built it all up from scratch and how he chose his paths in both life and business.
The book also contains the thrilling stories of his adventures as a balloonist and speed-boat daredevil. Really entertaining reading.
Sir Richard Branson is one of those persons I really would like to meet before I die, because he seems to posess such an interesting kind of energy. "Losing my Virginity" only supports that feeling and sure gave me a boost of that Branson-energy.
I couldn't put this book down after I started reading it.
If you're looking for a book about business, then you should read Branson's "Business Stripped Bare", but if you want a book more about his life then this book is fantastic.
Highly recommended!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Losing your virginity Sep 05, 2009
Good writing, but too detailed. Not enough information about his business actions, too muuch about daily life. My son in law felt the same way. We each got through half of it, then just too "ponderous", a word I have never used before.
 In the middle of the economic crisis.. Sep 02, 2009
Just few words to describe this book: a good idea to handle the economical crisis we're all living.
It's brilliant, easy to read, and gives new inspirations.
Recommended to everyone who think you can't live without a job but you can't live only for your job..
Daniele
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Don't Be Afraid to be Different Aug 17, 2009
Sir Richard Branson's basic philosophy is don't be afraid to be different. On entering any new field or an in dustry, aim to really shake it up and provide new value. When Branson left school, the headmaster said to him, "You will either go to prison or become a millionaire". Branson first started with "music" and then later on with "airlines". Branson soon realised that no matter what people may tell you, there is no "recipe" for business success that can be applied to any field. However, there are 4 secrets of Branson's success: (1). Trying to prove people wrong; (2). Having the simple belief that "you can do it"; (3). Being less stressed than others by uncertainty and (4). Thinking big and taking calculated risk. He notes, "My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable, challenges and trying to rise above them. Finally, through his companies Branson has changed people's life the most, continually seeking ways to deliver new value to the public , whether through low-cost flying, mobile phones or cheaper credit cards.
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