Play Ball!

Many of you know about my “MLM Minute” productions that I started at the beginning of this year. If you haven’t yet subscribed to these weekly training videos I invite you to do so today at http://www.TheMLMminute.com/.

To-date, my most watched and most commented on video has been the video about a Major League baseball player, Andy Green, who happens to be a great friend of one of my son-in-laws. I’m a huge baseball fan and Andy’s story is one I know that whether you’re a fan or not, it will inspire you to “compete”.

Andy’s video can be watched at:
http://themlmminute.com/Feb%2015.html

In the movie, the referenced Audio CD Set can be found at:
http://www.PureMotivation.com/

While we’re on the subject of baseball, I think you’ll find the tips below from Rhonda Abrams helpful to you and your team while you’re “competing” this season!

It’s a long season. Like baseball, business takes patience. Forget get-rich-quick schemes. It takes awhile for your concept, marketing, planning and operations to gel. One of Rhonda’s Rules is “The best way to become an overnight success is to work at it for years.”

Stick in there. In business, you’re going to have setbacks; you can’t let those throw you. Sooner or later, especially if you learn from your mistakes, things are likely to turn your way (unless, of course, you’re a Chicago Cubs fan).

You need management. You can’t just go out there and play the game; you need strategy. In business, this means having a plan, evaluating your decisions and keeping an eye on the big picture.

Don’t depend on one star for success. Just as the Yankees can’t depend on Alex Rodriquez to win every game for them, you can’t depend on one star customer (or one distributor) for your success. If you’re overly dependent on one or two customers, you need to strengthen your lineup.

It takes teamwork. Teams with big payrolls (for example the Yankees) sometimes lose, and teams with small payrolls (for example the Oakland A’s) sometimes win. That’s because baseball requires individuals to work together, to sacrifice for the common good. Even if yours is a one-person business, you need a good team supporting you  accountants, advisers, suppliers, your family and friends.

Swing for the fences. Occasionally, you’ve got to go for that “home run ” that big customer, new product or expensive advertising campaign. Once in a while, you’ve got to stretch.

Depend on “small ball.” Home runs get all the glory, but baseball games are typically won one base at a time. The same is true in business you build a business one customer, one sale, at a time. Never forget that it’s the day-to-day, bread-and-butter business that enables you to succeed in the long term.

Have faith. As the song from the baseball musical, “Damn Yankees,” says, “You’ve got to have heart.” As an entrepreneur, you have to believe in yourself over and over and over again.

Have fun. Ask any Cubs fan, and they’ll tell you winning isn’t everything. Sure, in business, you’ve got to make a profit, but you also want to enjoy going to work. So don’t forget have fun while you play ball!