It's Research, Not Relaxation

The best part of maintaining this "Business is like Golf" Blog is that I get to go golfing during office hours and call it research!

So what did I learn from yesterday's "research"?  Let's sum it up as a lesson in humility.

My previous round, first of the season (late start, I know, neglecting my research), was an exceptionally good one. Breaking 90 is a rare event for me and it was a day when almost every shot did exactly  what I wanted.  So I was feeling pretty good.  Confident that I had finally mastered the game.  Ha!

Yesterday the old Del was back.  Breaking 100 was a struggle without a single par all day.  (Still a good day in the sunshine and much better than an afternoon at the office on the computer.)

So like in business, take the time to celebrate your successes, but don't get too cocky.  You still have to focus, keep your eye on the ball, and avoid costly mistakes in your next challenge.

Keep swinging smoothly.

Lessons of life and business

Great weekend of hockey & golf for lessons of life & business.

Success = talent + dedication + hard work.

The dream is not enough.

"Keep your head down"

"The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing"

Phyllis Diller (Quote of the Day, Montreal Gazette)

Why Business is like Golf

DirectTech Solutions understands that business is like golf - easy to get into trouble and hard to get the results you want. So don't putter around. Get creative, practical solutions for your corporate strategy, business plans, and performance improvement needs. More than a mulligan, we deliver solutions.

Like successful golfers, we believe entrepreneurs need to be constantly improving their performance.

This Blog is an extension of the theme that we can apply the lessons from golf to improve our business performance .

It fits with my online efforts to help entrepreneurs as Uncle Ralph, with "Enrepreneurs Only" and DIYBusinessPlan.com  (http://www.diybusinessplan.com/), where I write, teach, advise, consult and comment on management, leadership and other issues of entrepreneurship. The golf analogy keeps coming back.

So let`s test the analogy a little further.

Here is my list of "Why Business is Like Golf" :

1. It's important to have a plan. Of course nothing goes exactly according to plan, but if you have one, you will at least recognize where you should be now and can adjust to get where you want to be.  (Like Oops! I'm in the bunker and need to get out of the sand and back on the fairway in front of the green.)
2. Even the good shots can end up badly. And vice versa. So take your best shot and hope for the best. That great drive (or proposal) may have gone too far and ended up in the rough. And sometimes a terrible slice (or bad sales call) can actually bounce off a tree and end up right where you wanted to be.
3. Every problem is just another challenge. It was not supposed to end up in the rough and behind a tree, but now you have a chance to work on your "recovery" shot.
4. Work on the fundamentals. You cannot get better if you don't understand and master the basic principles, techniques and foundation of a good swing (or business).  As Arnie Palmer apparently advised one angry amateur, "you're not good enough to get that upset about poor results." 
5. Choose and use the right tools and equipment. Technology keeps making the game easier, but make sure it is the right equipment for you and your plan. And don't try to use an 8-iron for a long, low fade, when a 4-iron is the right tool.  Same for a home office $129 accounting package when your business is doing plus $2 million a year.
6. Know the rules and play fair. Even if nobody catches you cheating, you know you don't deserve the credit you're getting for a good game.  Kidding yourself about your score doesn't work in business either.
7. Continuous learning and determined practice are the disciplines of champions. If the Number One golfer in the world is still adjusting his swing with a new coach, what are you doing to be better and do better?
8. It's easier if you lower your expectations and have good excuses. But you want more, right?
9. Learn from your mistakes. You will inevitably have an occasional bad shot, a bad hole or a bad day. It may just be bad luck, a bad idea, or a bad swing, but continuously analyse what you did wrong so that you can avoid the mistake next time.

That's the first nine holes, I have for you. 
Hopefully some memorable ideas that will improve both your golf and your business.
I'll work on another nine for another day.

Until then, keep hitting them down the middle!

Del

Oops, caught me.

The Dreaded Call My boss phoned me today. He said, "Is everything okay at the office?" I said, "Yes, it's all under control. It's been a very busy day, I haven't stopped." "Can you do me a favor?" he asked. I said, "Of course, what is it?" Speed it up a little, I'm in the foursome behind you."