Richard Branson: Talking Technology

At Virgin, we’re all about streamlining things to make our customers’ experiences easy, hassle-free, and most importantly enjoyable. In our opinion, simple is best.

This is an attitude that I have held since I was a boy. Suffering from the learning disability dyslexia, I found I couldn't always follow what was going on in class. Instead of feeling hopeless, I learned to turn my disadvantage into an advantage. My dyslexia taught me the importance of simplicity – a value that became the cornerstone of the way we operate within the Virgin Group.

From our jargon-free communications to our easy-to-use products and services, we always put great emphasis on simplicity and clarity. And as the world has become more and more driven by technology, we have carried this emphasis over into the design of websites, apps and systems.

Take for example the new Virgin Australia app – launched this week, the app brings all things Virgin Australia and Velocity into one convenient experience. You can make a booking, check your booking or flight status, and check in for your flight all with the tap of a finger. The app also allows you to join Velocity, check your Velocity account, and store a digital version of your Velocity card on your phone.

I may be an experienced hand at social media and blogging, but when it comes to apps, I find if it isn’t simple, it won’t be useful. Most importantly, it needs to allows you to do business on the move, from wherever you may be. As we move further into the digital age, it is so important that technology keeps up with our busy lives, but in a way that is easily understandable, digestible and most importantly usable. 

Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to make something simple. But well worth it.

Virgin Australia app

From managing your bookings and travel benefits, to exclusive features for Velocity Frequent Flyers, it’s the app that puts everything you need to travel in the palm of your hand. Download the Virgin Australia app today.

Flight Specials app

Get the right fare, for the right price, at the right time, while on the go.

Experience the convenience of Virgin Australia Flight Specials. Download the iPhone application from the iTunes Store, Android application on Google Play™, Blackberry application from BlackBerry World, Windows Phone or Windows 8 from the Windows Store.

Richard Branson loves to blog, and does so every weekday on Virgin.com. Read more, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.