Never Wrestle with a PIG

The business books at the library and book stores fill many shelves. Some authors tend to run a little long at the keyboard. There is one voice that stands out from the crowd, Mark McCormack.

Mark McCormack is the founder of the International Management Group (IMG) and was the guy who became Arnold Palmer's agent in 1959. At the time, although enormously successful and popular, Palmer had only one endorsement deal - with Heinz for $500 a year (and as much ketchup as he wanted).

Mark and Arnie's simple handshake agreement changed the world of sports forever. Stick with me, this is NOT about sports.

It wasn't long before McCormack had signed two other rising stars Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. McCormack didn't limit himself to golf. In 1968, he signed his first tennis player, Australia's Rod Laver as well as representing athletes from football, rugby, cricket, motor racing and a host of other sports.

McCormack's company, International Management Group or IMG, became the biggest name in corporate sport and moved beyond sports, managing former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Pope John Paul II and even represented the Nobel Peace Prize.

There is more to the sports business than knowing how to swing a golf club or how tight to string a tennis racket. Mark McCormack began sharing his common sense approach to business in 1984, when he wrote "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School" a book that spent twenty-one weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

He followed it with "What They STILL Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School" and recorded both of them on audio cassette.

These are not sports books but essential, down to earth, common sense, get-a-grip business advice books. Reading them is great, but listening to them on audio cassette, read by Mark himself is an even bigger treat. McCormack is one of the most plain-speaking and credible business teachers we have, and he comes across especially well in this relaxed studio recording.

Though Mark's principles are powerful, he's a humble teacher for someone at his level. His delivery is so understated you will discover the value of his ideas naturally rather than having to work around an overzealous sales pitch. Listening to Mark's unassuming voice, with no airs, is like having an understanding business partner in the seat next to you as you drive down the road.

Mark died in May of 2003 but his words and ideas will help generations to come. You can find his stuff in almost any library and many libraries have the audio books, too. A quick look at Half.com will find most of his audios in like new condition for a fraction of the cost.

Many times you will be given a choice of Mark's audio books, abridged or unabridged. For years I didn't much care one way or another until I listened to Stephen King on CD telling me why I should only choose unabridged. Sure it takes longer, but you get the drift of the author's thoughts entirely, not just some of them chosen by an unseen editor. Chose unabridged and go the extra mile is possible.

Here is a partial list of audio books and CD's by Mark McCormack that I highly recommend

What They Don't Tech You at the Harvard Business School

What They STILL Don't Tech You at the Harvard Business School

On Selling
On Communicating
On Managing
On Getting Organized
On Negotiating

The 110% Solution

The Terrible Truth About Lawyers: How Lawyers Really Work and How to Deal With Them Successfully

Hit the Ground Running: The Insider's Guide to Executive Travel

Staying Street Smart in the Internet Age

Never Wrestle with a Pig: And Ninety Other Ideas to Build Your Business

For more BIG ideas on business get my article "Voice Mail Can Be Your Buddy" Send a blank eMail to the MailTo:VoiceMail@BigIdeasGroup.com

If you take my advice and listen to Mark McCormack for the first time, I would like to hear your opinion and reaction. MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com

©2005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights Reserved Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com BIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and Small Business Consultant with over 30 years experience, http://BIGIdeasGroup.com

Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

---

Communication Mix-Up

My friend Delia is the owner of a small private... Read More

Re-Discovery Procedures for Building Effective Management Systems: Phase V

Now we turn the corner to our final phase: Re-Discovery.Last... Read More

Inspirational Power ( Part 1 )

The Fundamentals of Strategic Marketing, Some Key Traits for Greater... Read More

3 Ingredients of Highly Profitable Organizational Change

As waves of organizational change sweep across the business landscape,... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Conduct Successful Training Activities

Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

Muggers in Our Midst - When Rumour and Gossip Pay You a Visit

'I heard it on the grapevine' the old song goes.... Read More

Sarbanes Oxley 404 Compliance - How Nov. 15, 2004 Deadline Affects You

Fast Relief for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 ComplianceSection 404 of... Read More

Is It Worth To Outsource? How One Can Outsource Wisely

Recent trends in software development market show that it is... Read More

Corporate Governance for Business Owners

It is clear that good Corporate Governance is in the... Read More

Business Innovation ? Value versus Quality

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Loyalty, Motivation And Work-Life Balance

Managers who aren't loyal to their people can't expect loyalty... Read More

Why Free Agent Thinking Is Good For Your Company

It's no secret! Day after day the news is riddled... Read More

Critical Success Factors - Next

The Critical Success Factors Focusing on the... Read More

Five Ways to Influence Change in Others

Because of my work as a consultant, trainer and coach... Read More

6 Ways to Keep Things Simple

Six Ways to Keep Things Simple We can have greater... Read More

Performance Management - By Assuming Nothing

Unhappy as Jenny undoubtedly was, she held on very tightly... Read More

Problem-Solving Success Tip: Measure

Measure.The first key question to answer in starting a problem-solving... Read More

People Are Our Most Important Asset!

How many times have you heard or uttered this phrase... Read More

Time for Change - Clearing the First Hurdle

"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump... Read More

Popular Business Misconceptions Cost You Money!

Faulty information costs you money! Which of these popular business... Read More

Creating Your Own Business Upturn - Powering Business Development

We all see it . . . business markets are... Read More

Dont Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Credit Policy

Do you know how many customers you have that are... Read More

The Red Phone - Management Consulting in 30 Seconds or Less

Modern business faces complex problems; management often calls upon highly-specialized... Read More

Success in Business Means Managing Negative Emotions

You may have the MBA but if an internal critic... Read More

When Change Is In the Wind...Heads Up!

In these days of takeovers and mergers, of downsizings and... Read More

Invite Self-Managed Staff

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to... Read More

Coaching Can Get The Boss In Shape

Who tells the boss that they can improve their management... Read More

Managing Meetings

Plan/prepare - lack of purpose causes aimless meetings. Know why... Read More

The Truth?

The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never... Read More

Think it Over

You can't solve a problem with the... Read More

Retaining An Expert -- What Every Business Owner Needs To Know

As an entrepreneur, hiring an expert can be one of... Read More

Procrastination and JDI!

In a management role procrastination can seriously hold back progress... Read More

Employee Motivation: It?s More Than A Paycheck

Managers often ask, usually with exasperation, "How can I keep... Read More