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Judy
Anderson "Business Coach" will
be here exclusively every month to share with you
on "How to use Golf to gain a
Competitive Edge in Business".
"IMPROVE YOUR
GAME & YOUR BUSINESS!"
OCTOBER, 2000
Costly
Business Golf Mistakes
The billions
of dollars and thousands of hours spent by
corporate America on business golf can be an
excellent investment because golf is such a
powerful tool for building relationships and
developing business. But when companies don't
look carefully at how they're using business
golf, the cost is even higher. Not only are they
wasting money, they're also probably losing
business and missing opportunities. The cost
becomes more than any company can afford. Are you
or your company making any of these expensive
business golf mistakes?
Using a
strategy that's not cost effective.
Years ago companies could afford to support
various not-for-profit outings, maintain several
private club corporate memberships, and let their
employees play business golf with the hope that
business would somehow develop. Today it's
critical for a company to tie its business golf
strategy to the corporate goals and track the
efforts and results. Accountability is just as
important in business golf as it is in any other
area of business.
Choosing the
wrong wood or iron can cost you a stroke when you
play. Choosing the wrong type of outing
(corporate vs charity events) or making the wrong
sponsorship decisions can cost a lot more.
Inviting
the wrong people.
Anyone who's ever played golf knows that it's the
members of the foursome who can either make or
break the round. This is true whether the
objective is just a fun day out, playing some
serious golf, or doing business. So the blend of
people you bring together for business golf is a
critical factor in how successful your efforts
will be.
The tricky
part of this is defining what you mean by the
"right" people. Do you define it by the
dollar amount of business the individual
represents? Or do you invite people based on
their golf skill level, how well they'll get
along, or whether they'll be able to do business
with each other as well as with you? With all
these factors to consider, it's little wonder the
"right" people don't always end up
together.
Spending
too little or too much.
This is another tricky issue. Of course, the
ideal is to spend just enough to accomplish your
objective and no more. But that's not always
possible. The more business golf options
(foursomes, outings, pro ams, tickets to pro
events, golf-related gifts, etc.) you have, the
easier it is to select what's appropriate for a
particular business associate. For example,
sometimes it might be enough to invite someone to
an outing at their own expense just because you
share a mutual interest in golf. Other times it's
more appropriate to invite them as your guest.
Be aware of
the fact that you're setting a precedent with any
business golf activity and a "can you top
this?" mindset may develop. The first time,
business associates really appreciate it and it
serves as an incentive and motivator. The second
time, it's expected. The third time it's
perceived more as an entitlement.
Talking
business too soon or too late.
Are your employees savvy enough to know when
and if to talk business? Do they read people on
the golf course as well as they read the greens?
Picking up on the cues isn't as easy as it is in
an office setting because the focus is constantly
shifting between golf and conversation.
Lack of
follow through.
If you don't follow through with your golf
swing, you won't hit your target. If you don't
follow through with your business golf efforts,
you won't maximize your bottom line. I'm
constantly amazed at how many people say they
play golf to network and still don't carry
business cards with them to exchange at the end
of the round or during the cocktail hour at an
outing. They also don't plan a "20th
hole" strategy, whether it's a phone call,
office visit, or some type of golf activity.
Many
companies send employees to play in foursomes and
outings and to network for business. But because
there is no strategy or accountability for
following through, their results are limited. The
individuals and companies who are most successful
with business golf, know that follow through is
essential.
Now is the
time to look at your business golf strategy so
you can make this your best year ever. Chi Chi
Rodriguez once said, "Golf is a thinking
man's game. You can have all the shots in the
bag, but if you don't know what to do with them,
you've got troubles." Business golf is a
thinking person's game. Strategize your
"shots" and you'll avoid a lot of
costly mistakes.
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Do you want to Improve your
Golf & Business?
Ask Judy for FREE advice and she will e-mail you
an answer.
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Judy
Anderson is the founder of Business Golf
Unlimited and the author of "Teeing
Off to the Green" & "Using
Golf as a Business Tool". Through
her speaking and coaching, she has helped
countless executives improve their golf
game and gain a competitive edge in business.
Her programs have been featured at
the Greater New York Golf Show, the Northville
Long Island Classic and First of America Classic
Senior PGA Tour events, and at the PGA's Quad
City Classic. Clients have included, Merrill
Lynch, the National Alliance of Sales and
Marketing Executives, United Cerebral Palsy, the
National Association of Female Executives, and
the World Sponsors Forum.
Judy and Business Golf Unlimited
have been featured in the New York Times,
National Business Employment Weekly, Selling
Power, Executive Female and Golf Digest
magazines. She has been a guest on numerous tv
and radio shows, including CNBC Money Talk, The
Business News Network, and Smart Money with the
Dolans.
Her 20 years experience in post
secondary education, human resources, sales and
consulting, plus undergraduate degree in
business, graduate degrees in counseling
psychology and certification in GolfPsych ® give
her the saavy to use golf to help you identify
and address the challenges facing you in today's
workplace.
Business
Golf Unlimited is a
company dedicated to developing individuals and
organizations through golf. We offer a variety of
speaking and coaching
services. Judy Anderson and Brian
McMahon are committed to helping you
reach your true potential, in golf and, through
golf, in business.
How
to contact:
Business Golf
Unlimited
42253 Parkside Circle Suite 105
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Phone 810-739-8506
Fax 810-739-9012
e-mail:Judy@BizGolf.com
Visit
Business Golf Unlimited
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