This past Saturday, I was fighting off a sinus infection so I spent a very lazy afternoon recuperating and watching as many college football games as I could. As a fan, I love college sports in general. As a business coach, I love the college games because they are a microcosm of life and business ... competing, planning, practicing, coaching, attacking, defending, striving, adjusting, playing as a team, winning, losing, bouncing back, improving, and having fun. In sports and business, the score never lies. Based on your preparation and on-field performance, you see the results in the numbers.
With today's economic uncertainties, the game of football can teach us business owners and business coaches a thing or two. From this past weekend's games, here are a few business coaching revelations I had relevant to running a business, especially during a tough economic battle. The key is balance... a balanced attack and maintaining emotional balance.
The successful football teams I watched have a balanced attack...they play solid offense and defense. Not only do they put numbers up on the board, they work darn hard to prevent their opponents from doing the same. The teams that tend to lose, may do well at offense or defense, but generally not both. On one side of the ball, they have real weaknesses. Conversely, winners have a balanced attack with no gaping weaknesses on offense or defense.
So, as your business coach, let me ask you a few business coaching questions. As the head coach of your business team, are you playing both solid offense and defense? Is it a balanced attack? In the marketplace battle, are you focusing enough on offense ... running your sales and marketing plays? Are you and your company doing everything you can to put sales numbers up on the board? As head coach, are you holding your sales team accountable for results instead of excuses? Do you have enough of your team members specialized and focused on generating revenue for the company? Have you freed them up from too much paperwork and clutter to go out there and score? Are you continuing to invest in sales and marketing resources during this tough economic game? Now is not the time to simply play defense and try and cut your costs and losses. As your business coach, I urge you to do both.
In the marketplace arena today, I see too many business owners focused only on playing defense. They think they can wait out the competition or tough times. Instead of trying to win, they are playing not to lose -- big mistake! They act as if they simply want to survive by waiting out the game clock. They think they can simply cut expenses and achieve a victory. While it is smart to have a strong defense and seriously review your expenses, head count, budgets, cash flow situation and make wise adjustments, you can not simply cut your way to success. You need a balanced attack ... you can not afford to simply play defense during tough economic times. You must stay on the offensive attack and use every running, passing and trick play in your arsenal. Do not get too conservative with your play calls and stop trying to score. Yes, by all means cut expenses wherever necessary but do not cut back on your sales and marketing efforts. Bottom line, you must score to win.
As a business coach, another trait of the winning football teams I witnessed was that the head coach keeps his emotions in check, even during the heat of battle and even if they are behind on the scoreboard. The winning coaches seem to maintain an emotional balance and demand the same from their players. Again, a balanced attack and balance of emotions ... not getting too high or too low with the emotions no matter what is happening during the game.
As your business coach, here are some more business coaching questions for you. As the head coach, are you keeping your poise and head in the game? Are you setting the example of being focused and intense while remaining calm and collected? Do your employees see you sweating and full of doubts or do they see you positive and confident? Don't forget, you set the team mindset by your leadership behavior. Even if you are a bit nervous on the inside, do not show that on the outside. Even when you have a down day, do not bring your employees down. As the head coach, you must maintain your confidence and keep your faith. Remain optimistic that your team can win the game, even if you are behind on the scoreboard. As long as there is time on the clock, you can always come back strong.
No matter how tough the competition or economic circumstances, you and your team can win the game of business. Keep things in perspective and try to have fun. And, coming from you business coach, don't forget to maintain a balanced attack and your emotional balance. Onward to victory!!
Daniel M. Murphy
The Growth Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System