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"Lessons on Business-Success from the World of Sports!"
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"The sports page records people’s accomplishments, the front page usually records nothing but man’s failures."
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Earl Warren
1891-1974, Former United States Supreme Court Chief Justice
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1. People Love an "Underdog!"
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Whether it was in the film "The Bad News Bears" or in real life such as in the finals of the 1985 NCAA Basketball Tournament when the smaller, seemingly-mismatched Villanova Wildcats knocked off the mighty Hoyas of Georgetown, adversity and odds can be overcome! Who can forget the "Miracle on Ice" during the 1980 Winter Olympics in which a rag-tag team of American hockey players defeated the unbeatable team from the Soviet Union? Yes, people have a tendency to want the little guy to win. It seems that many people simply take pleasure in seeing the underdog defy the odds and come out on top, in seeing David slay Goliath.
BUSINESS LESSON: No matter your profession, unless you have reached the pinnacle, you probably have competitors who are bigger, stronger and have far larger budgets with which to advertise and market. It is with great service, consistency and the "personal-touch" that we can draw clients to ourselves, create a name and reputation, and ultimately succeed! McDonalds might dream of having the "Golden Arches" on every block, but it won’t happen as long as diners and small eateries serve up delicious home-cooked meals at a great price. Many potential customers prefer the "small guy" where they know they will find personalized service, a quality product, understanding, an attentive ear, dependability, accountability and "service with a smile!"
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2. With Grit, Internal Desire, Persistence and Determination, It’s Possible to Climb the "Ladder of Success!"
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Sports history is replete with instances of teams rising from the basement to the championship in a very short time, sometimes in a single season. In the sports world, this phenomenon has been given the name, "Worst-to-First." Among many examples cited are the 1968 New York Mets, a team which lost more than half its games. In 1969, they became known as "The Miracle Mets," turning things around completely and ultimately becoming the World Series Champions!
BUSINESS LESSON: Don’t give up! When things look bleak, see it not as failure, turn it into a challenge. Put a stop to those "boos" you hear in your head. Be a fan of yourself, not a detractor. It is the time for introspection, re-assessment and a re-focusing of your energies. Ask yourself what it is that’s not working. Concentrate on those things that are working and focus on them. Engage in research: the Internet is a treasure-trove of tips and advice. Turn to someone who has succeeded in your profession: most people are more than happy to dispense advice to others who might be struggling. As the Mets did, take time to rebuild from the bottom up!
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3. Exceed the Limitations of Your Size and Budget!
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In the world of sports, there are "large-market" and "small-market" teams. In American football, for example, there are teams from
BUSINESS LESSON: In the world of business, perhaps no other example is more striking than that of "budget airlines" which have turned the industry on its proverbial head! The public has been more than happy to have peanuts and a Coke rather than a meal if it means saving hundreds of dollars. In business, they have learned that "no-frills" does not mean having to sacrifice quality! If you are a freelancer or the owner of a small-business, find cheap, or even free, advertising. Use a blog to find prospective clients and tell the entire world about you and what you have to offer. Find community forums to advertise for free. Use social-networking to…yes, network with others. We might not have the financial resources to take out full-page advertisements in newspapers or to fly clients around on our corporate jets, but with word-of mouth from satisfied clients, a well-constructed portfolio and nice testimonials, we can put ourselves on the map!
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Work hard…
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Stay focused…
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Give your customers and clients a quality product at a reasonable price…
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And make this your championship season!
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My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer who specializes in speeches and blogs, web-content and research, report-writing and marketing, and everything in between. I am currently on an un-scheduled hiatus until the third week in December, however, if you have any upcoming writing assignments which need to be done, I would appreciate if you would keep me in mind! By clicking the following link, you will be directed to my profile where you will find links to my website, portfolio and testimonials:
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Dear Reader,
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If you enjoyed this article, I cordially invite you to partake of another! My most recent article presents some advice I have found useful in turning business articles and blog postings into new clients and income! To read the article "4 Keys to Closing a Business Article and Getting the Client!" click the following link:
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