adminWhat has business and sport in common? They have one thing in common and that is Winning.
Why are we using sport as an analogy for business? Mainly for two reasons, both are games, and both are about winning. The question to business owners is- “On what level do you want to play your game?”
In sport, you’re either on the field or you’re in the stand. It is similar for business, the problem however, is that in business we’re running day to day, work extremely long hours. It feels like you’re running at 160 km/h every day in the business. You are putting out fires, doing operational work to get more business in but we do not take the time out to really take stock to see where the business is and asking the question: “If business is a game, how does winning look like?”
By not taking the time out to define “Winning” bad things are happening, the business starts to stagnate, sliding backwards, you are getting tired and demotivated because the business do not make the money you desire. As a result of daily grinding, and not taking the time out, opportunities that are there are not seen and capitalised on.
In this blog I want to share three ideas about the difference between being:
“On the field” and “In the stand”.
The first point is to actually take the time out and ask yourself, “In what area of the business am I perhaps, in the stand?”. I talk about it, I talk about action, but it doesn’t make any difference. It could be in any area of the business ie in the Marketing, or Sales, perhaps the Team etcetera. That area that you really feel the game is not being played at the highest level, it’s like being “in the stand.”
The second point is you write down what is the impact of that on the business? What does it cost you? How does it affect your life?
The third point is to actually then make a decision, am I choosing to get on the field? How would winning look like when I’m on the field? How will that be different from today? So, I’m playing the game, I take action. It makes a difference.
There is a risk, but there’s also the reward. Very important, how will you keep track of your progress? The best way is to design your scoreboard.
Write down the measurements that will be your scoreboard.
And you can follow this process with every team member, with a relationship, with your spouse. Where are you in the stand and not on the field with your children, with your grandchildren?
Your business should be actually giving you that life that you desire. The business is a vehicle to give you your desired life, wealth and freedom. When you play it as a game you have more Fun as well.
Enjoy your game.
Francois J Lubbe,
The Game Changer Coach
ActionCOACH Business Coach