Sunday, May 31, 2009

Can you predict future success?







Can you tell me who #33 in yellow is?


What if I told you it was Shaquille O’Neal during his LSU days, would you believe me? Trust me, it is.


It got me thinking how challenging it is to predict future success.


In sports, we play this game all the time, it’s called draft prognostication and Monday Morning Quarterbacking. We have all the answers come NFL draft time. We always know which players are going to be successful in the NFL and which will be a bust (ala Ryan Leaf).


We can easily predict which stocks will go up in the future and which ones will tank, we just choose not to cash in on all our knowledge. Heck, give me a magic eight ball and I’ll predict your future for decades to come.


Hindsight is always 20-20 but we do control our destiny based on effort and determination.


Do we REALLY know TODAY how well President Obama will do when his presidency ultimately ends?


Why do some people make the same mistake year after year in business. Sales are down trending worse each month yet no changes are on the horizon. Apparently time is going to be the magic elixir to solve all the companies financial woes.


Money aside, why don’t struggling companies consider bringing on proven turnaround specialists to assist in much needed rebranding, new go-to-market strategies, or help in hiring talent that generates more revenue ? Could it be ego? I’m just asking.


I’m asking all these questions because I want to initiate conversation. Look at the picture again, what stands out the most?


While Shaq was a highly touted collegiate player expected to do great things in the NBA, so was Sam Bowie and many others who never lived up to the hype. What do we measure to help predict future success?


Sports and Business go hand in hand. We can learn a lot from watching sports and apply it to the business world. There’s a reason some CEO’s can drive a business forward while others drive their company straight into the ground. The same holds true in sports, just look at the New England Patriots or the Detroit Red Wings. Winning organizations, CEO’s, and sales professionals find a way to succeed no matter what obstacles stand in their way.


Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t look that big compared to the rest of the players does he? Did you really know he would have the career that he’s had?


How do you decide where to invest your money, who to trust with your business or help make important decisions?


Do you have the right team in place both personally and professionally?


Saturday, May 30, 2009

Welcome to my world!

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoy your time spent here. My goal is to create an experience and a platform where content is shared in different formats for your entertainment and education.

I've written a few blogs; share a video I produced; and provided links to a Business Roundtable podcast I co-created with Larry Henry, highlighting some of Detroit's Best and Brightest.

I appreciate any feedback that you have. I truly care about creating a positive experience, one where you think to yourself after leaving..."I think I'll come back."