Comments on: Thinking like Branson

By: Johan van Wyk

Johan van Wyk — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:14:29 +0000

07 September 2007

Dear Sir Richard Branson

Thank you for receiving my e-mail. I am from South Africa, and a Virgin Money Card holder. I am writing this as a business proposal to you.

Virgin Money is an affiliated partner of ABSA Bank South Africa, and this is what the proposal is about. We currently have the ABSA Bank off road racing in our country, and I saw an opportunity to enter a Virgin Money off road racing team. I think the advertisement for the Virgin Group would be of great value, as ABSA Bank will then advertise their own team.

I haven’t got the finances to do so and therefore seek your assistance in doing so, if possible.

I think this sums it up in short.

Please think about this and let me know.

Regards,

By: melody

melody — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:50:49 +0000

Virgin Mobile and Virgin Credit cards are new companies, the fact that you have to pay R135.00 for a replacement card is not good, the cards are of such horrible quality. I wish i never became involved with both companies as i have had no joy with either. Vey dissapointing….

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:15:02 +0000

Nah he’s alot sharper than we think. Behind his whole flamboyant daredevil image lies a calculating, attention to detail, win at all costs freak of a businesman.

Have u watched “Thank for Smoking”? I think that sums it well. These guys are kings of spin. They will sell at all costs and if needs be sometimes that means spinning the truth ever so slightly!

Don’t get me wrong the mans one of my idols but still I cant believe he can lie so blantantly.. haha its pretty classic actually. When you get to that level of success I think everyone including the guy interviewing you and 99% of the listeners/readers/views just go “aha” and nod their heads. I can’t wait to get that stage it must be fantastic!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:53:56 +0000

Interesting point Brett. I guess I took his word as truth without investigating. Perhaps his company has become so big he didn’t even know that had happened? (Unlikely I know, but such is the power of Branson’s brand that I’ll do my best to defend him).

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:43:54 +0000

I can’t believe he can lie so blantantly and get away with it. He says and I quote: “We would never enter the US market because they already have low-cost Mobile Phone and Credit Card companies.”

OMG this is an outright lie, Virgin Mobile launched there a few years ago?! http://www.virginmobileusa.com/.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:53:05 +0000

my mate got the card, but couldn’t use it at the toll booth the other day. Pretty disapointing.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:09:56 +0000

I can never remember which way round the saying goes – do people get bad service in South Africa, or bad service in the UK?
Perhaps Branson’s team set up the marketing effort from the UK (eg zip-lining through Sandton) and expected the local service delivery arm to perform better than they have been.
Unless they fix things quickly, they’re going to lose the momentum.

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:04:16 +0000

I have been attempting to apply for the credit card. Three attempts on the online application, two phone calls and one email – and still nothing. Promises to get back to me…you know the usual stuff. They have been swamped with applications and they have admitted to being totally unprepared. Quite a thought – big spend on marketing campaign and very little on actual delivery. A common SA problem unfortunately.