Richard Branson, Head of Virgin Group and one of the world’s most admired business leaders.
Top 3 ideas: They are the ideas that have underpinned every business decision throughout my life; if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it; make sure everything you do stands out and differentiates you from your competitors; and learn the value of delegation.
Rachel Lowe MBE, developer of the top selling Destination series of board games, after the Dragon’s Den team decided not to invest in her.
Top 3 ideas: The Destination games, obviously; raising sponsorship for the games, as the attractions are featured on the board and box and are essentially advertising for them; and regionalising the games.
Where and when: I think better when I am on my own and not being disturbed. I often take a pad and pencil into the bathroom with me, as I’ve had some of my best ideas while taking a bath.
Top tips: Think positive as much as possible. Believe in yourself. And don’t always ask everyone and his dog for their opinion! Trust your own judgement and follow your gut instincts.
David Hickey, Dentist and Philanthropist at Southport Road Dental.
Top 3 ideas: Recruiting a full time marketing manager, someone who is constantly focused on promoting the business. Setting aside time each week to work on, rather than in, the business; and measuring everything, so we know what works and what doesn’t at all times.
Greg Secker, Forex trader and founder of training company Knowledge to Action, set up to teach his family and friends the secrets of his trading success.
Top 3 ideas: Setting up my own company; embarking on a business venture that makes the financial markets
accessible to people
who may not have a background in finance, and setting up the Knowledge to Action Foundation.
30 entrepreneurcountry
Where and when: I feel the most creative at the crack of dawn, knowing that the financial markets are about to open for a fresh day of trading.
Top tips: Keeping in touch with your workforce and your clients and constantly exposing yourself to feedback helps you to bounce new ideas around and come up with solutions to problems you might not otherwise have realised you had.
Where and when: I sound most new ideas off my wife Rashmi, who is a partner in the business, usually when we are relaxing at home in the evening.
Top tips: Spend time around your contemporaries. See what works for them and tweak it to work for yourself.
Where and when: Some ideas are borne out of frustration. Virgin Atlantic was partly inspired by the fact that I hated travelling on tired airlines as a record executive.
Top tips: Striking a balance between working hard and finding space to be creative is vital for coming up with original ideas. Collaboration, throwing ideas around between friends and colleagues also works. Plenty of new Virgin ventures started life that way.
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