Go On, Be A Tiger

From the moment he putted with Bob Hope on the Mike Douglas Show at age two, Tiger Woods appeared destined for fame. After an unprecedented junior and amateur career, his entry into the professional ranks in 1996 received tremendous publicity ? and one of the largest sponsorship contracts in history. At age 28, having claimed 40 PGA Tour titles and with eight majors in his trophy case including the Tiger Slam, he has exceeded the loftiest expectations. Even more impressive, he is one of the most recognizable faces on the planet and is bringing thousands of new fans and players to the game.

Those of us who have regular jobs often feel pressure to perform. Imagine for a moment what it would be like to work with 50,000 people standing nearby and a worldwide television audience watching your every move, and you will briefly experience what it feels like to be Tiger. His disciplined approach to becoming the world's dominant player is well documented. From his father teaching him concentration by employing distracting tricks, to learning a new swing despite winning The Masters by a record 12 strokes in 1997, Tiger dedicated himself to perfecting his "A" game.

Success Handler Action: With your team, discuss your "A" game. Talk about the things you do best in your small business. Here are some questions to help you get started:

~ What are the strongest areas in your company?

~ Where do you consistently beat your competition?

~ In what ways are you improving every day?

~ How do you maintain playing at the highest level?

~ Which things can you change to make you and your team even better?

In 2000-2001, when Tiger became the first player to hold all four modern majors simultaneously, he took the game to an unimaginable level. Drives boomed 310 yards dead solid perfect. Long irons nestled close to the hole. Twenty-foot putts disappeared center cut. Playing in the final group on Sunday with Tiger became an unbearable burden for otherwise great players.

More than anything during his incredible run, it was Tiger's attitude that allowed him to devour fellow competitors. He believed no one could beat him, and proved it on golf's biggest stages. As a small business owner, it's essential to take the same approach. You and your employees must have a vision of greatness for your company ? your perfect swing ? and set about practicing every day whatever it takes to get you there.

Success Handler Action: Gather your team and talk about what it would look like if you were the number one operation in the world, the best of the best ? a Tiger. To set out on your path, follow these five steps:

1. Conduct a SWOT, identifying your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

2. Have each team member define which areas they most impact

3. Outline specific action steps for capitalizing on Strengths and Opportunities

4. Create a plan for changing Weaknesses and responding to Threats

5. Set specific timetables for completing initiatives, and hold individuals accountable

If Earl Woods had not imagined what Tiger could become, his career might have peaked at age two and he would simply be Eldrick to a small circle of friends and coworkers. Add Earl's vision to Tiger's incredible passion and you have a combination for greatness. Create vision and passion in your franchise business?and you will find yourself flashing bright smiles and pumping your fist in celebration on a regular basis.

Copyright © 2004 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders, franchisees and franchisors find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there ? as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.

---

Staying Informed Key For Your Team

We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More

High Performing Teams: 10 Things You Want To Know About Building A High Performing Team

"Conflict becomes politics, commitment becomes 'Only if it's in my... Read More

Virtual Team Work

At a time when many companies are scaling down their... Read More

Team Building Part 2: Honesty is the Key!

The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More

What Every Manager, Parent, and Teacher Should Know About How to Unify Employees, Families, & Youth

Project Head Start has been successful not only for the... Read More

The Stages Of Team Development

One of the greatest challenges a coaching manager has is... Read More

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of... Read More

Motivating Teams

Introduction:Working with teams, whether as leader of a single team... Read More

Marche, or How Teams Work.

On the trail in Northern Canada "Marche" was the word... Read More

Putting Your Expert Team Together

As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it... Read More

The Top 7 Things Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Employees

As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More

Effective Team Building for Stronger Teams

TEAM LEADERS WORKSHOPAlice asked Cheshire cat "which road should I... Read More

Team Building requires one great dynamic for true Success - Mateship

A Successful Team is built around mateship, around respect for... Read More

How to Align Your Team through Change

Eight Principles for Purposeful AlignmentEffective teamwork requires individual members of... Read More

Team Development and Learning

A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More

Always In Motion Is The Future

It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More

Business Team Building Strategy In The Jungle

"Tak kenak! Tak kenak!" "Adak Orang sanak!????"The quiet jungle has... Read More

The 5 Bes of Motivation

It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More

Safety First - Five Reasons to Hold a Routine Safety Meeting

Workplace safety is important to all businesses for ethical, legal... Read More

3 Steps To Successfully Build A Team In Any Program

Any x by y matrix plan has one big risk...... Read More

4 Tips for Keeping a Team Motivated

Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More

Mastermind Team: Do You Have One?

The key to life is to be around the people... Read More

Station Teams: Assembly Required

Too often teams aren't assembled. They just happen. A project... Read More

Team Member Feedback: A Priceless Communication Tool

Feedback is such an important communication tool. Openness, honesty, candor,... Read More

Company Picnic Ideas and Planning Tips

The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms.It's... Read More

Nine Ways to Contribute to Project Team Success

The world of work has changed. It used to be... Read More

Franchisor Award Programs; Ideas and Innovation

Franchisors should also be heavy on the award side of... Read More

Having Trouble Motivating Others? Try WIIFM

Recently my fourteen-year old son Matt dressed up as Santa... Read More

Functioning in a Dysfunctional Workplace

Sometimes the greatest challenges lay not within the actions of... Read More

Consensus: The Right Team Decision Strategy?

Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More

Team Building Celebration Plan -- Perfect For Any Time of Year

When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More

Listening Between the Lines

Have you seen the tee-shirt with the slogan, "Talk to... Read More

Downsizing Your Team

Team Building Question:Our office has recently learned that about 20... Read More