Spring 2002 - Marketing Dimensions from Traymore Marketing

	Spring 2002

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The Business Olympics 2002!

by Jeff Tobe, Primary Colorer, Coloring Outside the Lines
It's just natural to work a little harder when there is competition. This was reinforced for me during a recent trip to Park City, Utah. While taken on a tour, I was reminded that the Salt Lake City area will be home to the winter Olympics in 2002. This was shared with us as our group approached a mountain that was the official practice site for the American Alpine Ski Team, the Arial Jumping team, and the Bobsled and Luge teams. Since it was summer time, the team practiced their runs without snow.

This day, members of our tour were invited to try the bottom 1/2 of the luge run. From looking the course over, this was a scary prospect, with winding twists and turns and quite a few steep portions even along this part of the mountain. However, I and thirty-nine other people who were a part of this large group took the American team up on their offer to try the course. Team members helped people into the sleds (which had wheels for the summer runs) and pushed them off on their run. The prospect of whizzing down the course on my back in a luge was daunting but I knew too that the outcome might be incredibly exhilarating. ("Agony of defeat" and all that!)

Gathering information, I discovered from Scott, one of the American Olympic hopefuls, that winning was mostly in the initial push-off. How riders distribute their weight and lean on the sled during the run matters too of course, but the key difference between winners and losers at this sport is in the push.

I gave my wife a slightly longer-than-usual goodbye and then headed up the mountain to join the other insane thrill-seekers who wanted to try the course as well. I had decided that I didn't have to be a hero. I just wanted to try the run, even if I went down it at a nice and easy pace.

The first person proceeded down the course. Before she began, her name was announced over a loud speaker, "American… Lisa Johnson". Her pursuant screams as she descended were enough to scare me - #33 in line! When she got to the bottom of the course, someone declared "Lisa Johnson, 1 minute and 12 and 5/8 seconds." Every person thereafter got their country, name and run time announced and from the cheers at the bottom of the course, I gathered that there were loud speakers below as well. This meant that supportive family and friends could know who was making the run and how quickly they accomplished this task. I know I had gone into this merely wanting to try luging, but as each person in front of me had their stats announced, I got more and more excited about hearing my country, name and run time being announced over the loud speakers. And since my run time would be announced with my name as I crossed the finish line, how could I let it merely be average or worse yet, at the bottom of the pack? No! As each person's name and time was announced, I became more and more determined not only to do well, but by the time I got to the front of the line… I wanted to win! I absolutely needed to have the fastest time out of everyone who was there that day.

I remembered what Scott had told me before we all headed up the mountain. The secret to winning was in the push. I approached the sled with new conviction and as I was being strapped in, I simply said, with a steely gaze as I caught Scott's eye, "I want to win". He, and his teammates no doubt could tell how serious I was. Giving me an incredibly forceful push-off, they exerted themselves vigorously, grunting more loudly than they had yet that entire afternoon.

I hung on for dear life and during the first few seconds I remember thinking that my life insurance was up to date! Then I composed myself and remembered to shift my weight as I rounded the turns. Once I started to pay attention and focus, I realized that this was one of the best, most exciting experience I have ever had! As I went through the finish line, blaring for all to hear was "Tobe, 1 minute and 2 and 4/5 seconds, has reached the top speed so far today of 42 miles per hour!"

Excited either by the fact that I had the top score, or relieved that I had made it in one piece, my wife hugged me. She knows me all too well and knew that I had to stick around for the last 7 sledders. I nonchalantly stuck around making sure that no one defeated my gold medal placing. I stood alone and bit my nails as I watched the last few runs. As the last person came down, I relaxed immediately after seeing the gentle push-off the person was given. I reigned! I ruled!

I am always trying to apply my experiences to running my business.

The first thing that hit me was that there was only 1/8 of a second difference between first and second place. We need to decide that we are going to win and then do everything in our power to make it happen. Nobody remembers #2.

It begins with the "push". Whether you are starting a business or have been around forever, every new initiative needs the entire team pushing and backing it. Your results are based on the initial push.

Sometimes we feel like we are sledding out of control. If we can stop once and awhile and focus, we can take control and win.

Remember my favorite mantra…"Failure is not an option - it's just a nagging possibility that should keep us motivated!!"

Certified Speaking Professional, Jeff Tobe is the Primary Colorer at Coloring Outside the Lines in Pittsburgh, PA, and teaches organizations how to color outside the lines without falling off the page! His new book, "Coloring Outside The Lines" Business Thoughts on Creativity, Marketing and Sales was just released this past fall. To order or for more information on his presentations, visit www.jefftobe.com or call 1-800-875-7106.

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