I’ve been asked this question many times having played sport my whole life (tennis in fact) and now being at the helm of AzVOX Media and Communications. The undying need to know and question raised to me every single time I meet someone is the difference or similarities in between sport and enterprise. Just how are these two inter-related and just where do they meet, if ever at all?

Now, i’m no Kiyosaki or guru and all I can share is my two cents worth in this matter which is essentially the same conversation I have with all my counterparts, colleagues and associates.

First of all, the question is not just how similar or different sport and enterprise are. Instead, the question should be how do we apply what we learn in either to the other.

    1. As an ex-athlete, we used to be coached and taught in the ways of being extremely fit and always keeping a clear mind when competing, very similar to enterprise where a clear mind is always needed in the case of crisis. Fitness, more in the sense of being mentally able to think out of the box and finding new ways to do old things always helps.
    2. Sports is about the bigger picture. Think about it this way, how many times has your coach told you to play without the fear of losing? More than just taking the pressure off your shoulders, always remember that even if you lose today, you most probably won’t lost tomorrow, or the day after etc. If you do, then maybe its really time for you to start doing something about your game and bringing up your own standards
    3. Patience is a virtue. How many businesses, VCs, investors and athletes at the same time fail to nurture a company or themselves? We live in a world where Returns On Investments (ROIs) are facing shorter curves as money is so fluid and the next big thing is always on the horizon. Think broad and be patient, it takes time to build a stable foundation for your business.
    4. Be a team player. I find myself most of the time listening and being part of the organisation instead of always barking out the solutions and instructions. Same for athletes, even if its an individual sport, you still have an entourage, your families etc and these important peopls are all part of your team that made it happen. You couldn’t have done it alone if they didn’t play for the team as well.
    5. Think long term. How many athletes will really go on to become professionals? Having done that, how many of them will go on and sustain a professional career? This isn’t about not staying committed but we all need an exit strategy. Its the same for enterprise, think long term and know where your exit point is AND STICK TO IT. Too many people I speak to are very reluctant to accept that their time is up and move on. Incumbency? Probably.

Everything is an investment. Remember those times you bought those killer basketball shoes or invested tons into tennis coaching? Its the same actually. Everything in life is an investment. While athletes invest time and energy to perfect that swing or stroke, businesses invest time and money to build a brand, conquer the market and establish a name for themselves. Spending money to make money is a concept that eludes many businesses who always think of their bottom line. Marketing dollar is spent to make money and does not result in immediate ROIs. Get that into your head.

  1. Don’t always gun for the big ones, start small and build from there and make sure people know what you are doing. If they don’t ask, drive it through and make your point heard. If they still don’t get it and don’t want to listen to the intention behind it, make it happen and state your demands thereafter. Too many athletes dream of grandeur without knowing that we all need to learn how to crawl before we walk, run and fly. The exact same thing exists for businesses where people always gun for the huge opportunities and neglect the small ones.
  2. Learn to negotiate. This exists everywhere, like it or not. Even with your investor if you get one. Understand that everyone is very caught up in their own issues and will need to be pulled down to be spoken to. When you get that chance, speak your mind and negotiate. Can’t tell you how, we’re all different. For athletes, its about know the opponent and negotiating with yourself on how to bring your best possible game to court.
  3. Always give time for something or don’t commit. If you ever find yourself in a position to invest in something, find time to keep up with it. To you, it might be money spent, to someone else, its a chance to break out of his current cycle and to achieve something greater. Trust me, if you give time to your investments and employees, they will never think of running off and doing something on their own. Same thing for athletes isn’t it? If your coach doesn’t pay any attention to you, why stay around?
  4. Don’t be blind. If something is not working out, fix it. Its not going to fix itself. Fight heaven and hell to get it done.

The one case study that is classic to me and is even more apparent now that amplifies this entire issue is the case of Arsenal Football Club. If you trace the roots of the club, a particular individual, David Dein had brought the club up from where they were before to the time they were great champions and undefeated throughout an entire season before his sad departure in 2006. On came Ivan Gazidis in his place and with the new chairman started a regime of low cost spending and refused to spend on players despite their claims of money in bank. Arsene Wenger, as astute as he is, obviously dropped the ball somewhere along these lines for reasons unknown and his over-prudence in spending has resulted in a possible calamitous result happening this year should they not qualify for the champions league.

Over prudence, myopia and the loss of the belief that once was has now resulted in Arsenal lying in 5th position at the league table. It is by no means a bad result but its AFC, not some other club. If you’re not fighting to win the competition, then you’ve already lost the war and this resonantes with all businesses. If you’re in it not to be the leader, then close up shop now and go get a job. It is ambition that keeps staff and players, it is overwhelming zeal to conquer something that makes people move mountains for you. Nike didn’t set out just to be another shoe shop did they?

I hope this article enlightens some of you and I would be more than happy to receive comments, some people say i’m too leftist or rightist in my views but we all have our opinions. Don’t we?

Article contributed by : Darren Ho (CEO, AzVOX Media and Communications)