Virgin on the Ridiculous?

Back in May, Richard Branson announced that the first of his Virgin Galactic spaceships would be built by December, ready to start test flights in 2010.  He’s been back in the media recently to confirm that all is going to plan.  Branson says he’s confident that commercial space travel will soon be much more than just a millionaire’s dream. 

This is heady stuff, and I couldn’t stop myself from buying this month’s Focus Magazine, which Branson has “guest-edited”.  (In other words, much of this month’s magazine is one big advert for Virgin Galactic.)

Branson’s an example and an inspiration to all business-owners.  In forty years he’s gone from a market stall with a mail-order sideline, to a group of 400 companies worth a total of £5billion.  Impressive by any standards.  And of course he’s helped his empire grow by staying in the public eye.  He’s an excellent self-publicist, always willing to trade dignity for attention.  Whether it’s long-distance balloon flights or beardy cross-dressing, our Dick’s there, giving it all he’s got.  Who could doubt his enthusiasm and his self-belief when he talks about “the dream of the world’s first commercial human space launch system becoming a reality…. I can see the end of the beginning of the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved in.  I’m looking forward to the spaceship being unveiled and flown for the first time next year.” (Focus Magazine, December 2009)

And yet… and yet…

It happened over ten years ago, but I find it hard to forget an interview Branson gave to Sky TV back in 1998.  He’d just bought London Broncos rugby league club, and Sky sought him out at half time during his first game as owner.

He was his usual enthusiastic, committed self, and he said how excited he was to have been able to buy such a wonderful team, which he’d been following for some time.  He finished by saying something like “I’ve really enjoyed the first 45 minutes, and I’m looking forward to the next 45.” 

Oooh dear, Richard old chap.  Every last TV viewer, and certainly everyone in the ground – except him – knew that rugby matches (of either code) take 80 minutes to complete, not 90.  90’s that other code, old fruit.  I couldn’t have been the only viewer who felt embarrassed for him.

We discuss Branson’s hugely successful sequence of strategic about-turns in both Module 2 (Strategic Management) and Module 9 (Management of Change) of the Mini-MBA.  Since 1969 he’s made a lot more right decisions than wrong ones, but let’s not forget the times when he’s let his enthusiasm get the better of him.  You can join the waiting list for his commercial space flights here.  I for one will be keeping my money in my pocket.

Meanwhile on the markets… Before he beat Valuev and picked up a heavyweight world championship, I’d been tipping David Haye for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on another blog.  The really long odds have gone of course, but I believe he’s still good value.  Joe Calzaghe won this award two years ago, so we know there’s a boxing constituency willing to pick up the phone and vote for the SPOTY.  The odds-on favourite is Jenson Button, but last year Lewis Hamilton could only manage second place, and I believe Haye at around 6/1 (or 7/1 at Betfair) is a much better value bet than the 8/13 generally available for Button.