10 reasons why businesses should hire former athletes

Determined to make a memorable return to the tennis court at the next Necker Cup, I have enlisted the help of former top doubles player James Cluskey. We have been hitting it out at 6am each morning to strengthen the areas of my game that need work. I have been really enjoying our sessions together. I’m not just improving; we’ve also been having some great chats about business and sports.

Having recently retired, James is in the process of starting his own business – however it hasn’t been easy. Like many other retired athletes, he has experienced some testing emotions and challenges.
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard was famously quoted to say, “Nothing could satisfy me outside the ring… there is nothing in life that can compare to becoming a world champion, having your hand raised in that moment of glory, with thousands, millions of people cheering you on.” James explained to me that this feeling isn’t uncommon, and sadly many ex-athletes develop a loss of identity and tunnel vision, which often leads to depression.

 

But this is something that could be combatted if these athletes were given a sense of purpose outside of sport – and I, like James, think that the perfect place to find this purpose is in business. I believe that athletes often make great business people; which is good because in elite-level sport, the time period for success is short, and retirement is long.
Here are 10 reasons why I think athletes make great business people, and why companies should employ them…

They:

1)            are goal driven and achievement orientated

2)            learn from failure, quickly

3)            are always developing new skills

4)            take direction well

5)            work well with partners

6)            are resilient

7)            are strong communicators

8)            manage their time well

9)            have grit

10)          know what it’s like to be part of a team

Richard Branson and the Virgin Sport team in New York

Life after sport can be a challenging time, but it needn’t be. It’s a wonderful opportunity for reinvention. The discipline and determination it takes to compete as a professional sportsperson is not unlike what it takes to be an entrepreneur. A lot of things learned through sport are transferable into other aspects of life. I certainly found that the skills I’ve acquired playing tennis, kitesurfing and other sports have been beneficial to my business career. It’s no surprise Virgin has created so many sporting businesses too, from Virgin Active to Virgin Sport.

I believe that athletes have a wonderful advantage to succeed in the professional world after retirement, so long as they treat business like sport – follow their passions, keep an open mind to new opportunities, and refuse to take no for an answer. I was interested to hear of a new online community called LAPS set up to help sportspersons build careers after their first career ends.
If you’re an athlete wondering what move you should make next, you may just find a business opportunity is just as rewarding as your sporting career.

For more info go to :  https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/10-reasons-why-businesses-should-hire-former-athletes

Why a Strong Character Is Built on Failure

Why a Strong Character Is Built on Failure

If you aren't held accountable for the decisions you make, there's no learning moment.

Scott Bedgood

 

 

Fighter pilot. Super Bowl champion. Motivator. Author.

These are all titles that Chad Hennings has worked hard to earn over the years, first in the Air Force, then as a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, and later as a professional speaker and writer. But Hennings says there is another, more important, title that he works for every day: Man of Character.

Hennings’ new book, Forces of Character: Conversations About Building A Life Of Impact, features interviews with noted individuals whom Hennings has come across, including San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl winner Roger Staubach, Holocaust survivor and psychologist Edith Eva Eger, and retired space shuttle commander Tom Henricks.

“The No. 1 reason I wanted to write the book was to start a conversation within my community and the country on the importance of character,” Hennings says. “The media is constantly talking about individuals who compromised themselves and made poor decisions. So I wanted to pass something on to my kids about the importance of character and the decisions we make.”

Hennings and his interview subjects discuss the importance of making good decisions early in life. He opens the book by recounting a time he stole football cards as a youngster and how his actions resulted in punishment. Proper discipline and learning the importance of making smart decisions, Hennings says, was a key to his development. Character is kinetic, Hennings says, and decisions early in life start you on the proper trajectory toward success.

“If you aren’t held accountable for the decisions you make, there’s no learning moment. I’ve learned more through my mistakes and the trials in life than I have through any of the victories.”

- See more at: http://www.success.com/article/why-a-strong-character-is-built-on-failure#sthash.JWsUWcPK.dpuf

Why a Strong Character Is Built on Failure

"Copy this Idea" book now for FREE - every internet entrepreneur must read!

There are a few reasons why I really like “Copy this Idea” book and why I think it’s a must read  – first of all – its not a “how to book” but simply a little book laying out a way of doing business from home or any place in the world using only laptop and internet connection. The book is NOT- a business book full of complicated five year forecast, business buzzwords and phrases and you don’t need MBA to be able to read and understand it.

Second reason I love it so much is that it does explain  the  basics of an online business that can be set up and run from home or any other place – at the time that best suit us. The book is showing a business model we can copy and the good news is we do the work ONCE.

It shows us a totally different lifestyle where you are not trapped by the bills, every day commute, working hours of the dry cleaners and the supermarket. A life where we can enjoy walks on the beach with mum and dad, school plays of the kids, that house extension we are planning  and the long weekend in Barcelona!

Third reason I kept reading till the end – its been said and proven that  85% of homebased business SUCCEED – and a lot of that success has to do with keeping costs low& doing everything on a shoestring. Low start up costs – low overheads.

And finally - here is what the book is about – a business system where we can buy something for 5 pounds and sell for 50 as many times and we want! How brilliant is this!

This is the system you can copy – starting NOW!. 

The really good news about the book  – it’s yours for FREE( including few very nice bonuses for only 1 pound against the postage)

Grab your copy NOW! – http://tiny.cc/gee 

Photos below are showing my copy( including bonuses) and also shaking hands with the author of the book - very nice and down to earth person!

5 Attributes of “A Player” Entrepreneurs

No one becomes an entrepreneur hoping to be mediocre. So what makes an entrepreneur, an A Player?
Over the last few years I’ve studied and interviewed hundreds of “A Player” entrepreneurs at the top of their field. “I noticed that the dynamic range between what an average person could accomplish and what the best person could accomplish was 50 or 100 to 1.Given that, you’re well advised to go after the cream of the cream … A small team of A+ players can run circles around a giant team of B and C players.” – Jay Elliott author of Leading Apple With Steve Jobs.

From selling hot dogs to owning a boutique hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, all of the entrepreneurs I talked to had these 5 traits in common:

1. “A Players” take MASSIVE action

Most people don’t take action at all and if they do, they try one or two things, fail and then give up entirely. “A players” are different, they know that if they keep putting in the work, they’ll inevitably become successful, so they keep going.

“I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work” – Thomas Edison

2. “A Players” know their strengths

B and C level entrepreneurs micro-manage and waste time and energy on tasks that are not their core competency. “A Players” know exactly what it is they do that creates value for their business and they free up as much of their time to focus on that activity as possible.

3. “A Players” communicate the right way

A big hurdle for a lot of entrepreneurs is being able to communicate the right way. A lot of the time entrepreneurs steamroll others or are not able to explain things correctly to others which leads to them having to take on even more work themselves. “A Player” entrepreneurs know that they need to balance out their strong authoritative work communication with warm, compassionate caring about their employees, vendors and most importantly customers.

4. “A Players” course correct

When B or C level entrepreneurs run into obstacles, like their marketing not working as well as it once did or a problem with their product, they continue to do the same things. “A Player” entrepreneurs know when they run into problems, it’s time to tweak and test.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” – Albert Einstein

5. “A Players” practice self care

B and C level entrepreneurs let their business consume their lives.  “A Player” entrepreneurs take care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. “A Players” know that it’s energy, not time, which is our most important resource as an entrepreneur. So they make sure that they take care of themselves every day to prevent burnout and build healthy habits to support the tremendous amount of energy necessary for running your own business.

“A Players” are the entrepreneurs who succeed, not only in creating amazing businesses but amazing lives as well.

If you’re serious about becoming an “A Player” entrepreneur, adopt these 5 attributes and success will follow!

 More at: http://addicted2success.com/entrepreneur-profile/5-attributes-of-a-player-entrepreneurs/

How To Make $25 Million By The Age of 27 – Jack Delosa

 

Australian Entrepreneur, Investor & Author,  Jack Delosa has amassed a net worth of $25 Million at the age of 27.
Jack has rubbed shoulders with Richard Branson, coached 10’s of 1000’s of business owners and startups around the world and launched a best selling book called “Unprofessional” that shows business owners how to succeed in the ever changing landscape of investment, startups and marketing in this day and age.
Jacks company The Entourage has led more than 60,000 business owners in the right direction for producing results and increasing revenue within their new or struggling startups.
Jack will be featured in The Top 100 Australians Under 40 “Young Rich List” in the Business Review Weekly this year, representing one of the fastest growing sectors, “Education”.

Jack Delosa’s 3 Keys To Standout From The Crowd

1. Educate yourself – Don’t rely on Uni or School
2. Find your strengths and do what you love
3. Make mistakes and pursue failure

More at:http://addicted2success.com/podcasts/how-to-make-25-million-by-the-age-of-27-jack-delosa/