Richard Branson and Virgin, Inc.

Case Description: This case focuses primarily on entrepreneurship and the problems facing entrepreneurs in today's volatile economic environment. The case is appropriate for courses in entrepreneurship, small business management, and strategic management. The case examines the life of Richard Branson and Virgin, Inc. and has a difficulty level two. It is appropriate for freshmen and sophomores. It can be taught in a 75 minute course period and the case preparation time is approximately two hours. Case Synopsis: Richard Branson built a billion dollar company based on numerous entrepreneurial endeavors, however he was facing one of the most difficult times in his career. The global economic crisis had a significant negative impact on his companies' revenues and earnings. Virgin, Inc. was down 40%. The world was stuck in the worst economic crisis since the 1930's. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) had collapsed 55% from 2007 to 2009 and the banking system was on the verge of collapse. Yet, Branson was optimistic because he was thinking about what opportunities lay ahead. He had five billion dollars in cash and needed to determine what strategies he must utilize to manage and grow his firm through this chaos.