As a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan, it is painful to see how the franchise has slowly deteriorated into a helpless, bottom dwelling, shell of a team. They have gone from an elite franchise of the 70’s and 80’s down to a laughing stock.
There are some very important business lessons we can learn from the Dolphin’s failures.
You can’t sure cancer with a Band-Aid.
The last time the Dolphins won games, made the playoffs, and made some noise was when all-time great quarterback Dan Marino was effortlessly throwing 40 yard bombs own the field to great wide receivers. There was no question Marino was in command of that offense. Field general – and play maker. They won games, they won playoff games, and went to Superbowls.
Since Marino retired, the Dolphins have tried to fill the HUGE gap left with (at best) second rate quarterbacks. They have had 16 different starting quarterbacks in 12 years. They consistently keep trying to put a band-aid on a real problem. Until they make the all-out commitment to draft or trade for a top notch starting quarterback – they will keep getting the same results: Losses and fan (client) frustrations.
Running in Waste Deep Mud
I see business people do this all the time: There is a glaring problem that is never addressed. It is allowed to linger – band aids are applied – and yet the cancer still grows – hindering growth and causing undo frustration. The issue is not confronted and solved – maybe for lack of experience and knowledge. Or it could be not exactly knowing HOW to tackle the cancer. It’s okay – you are not alone….but you MUST do something about it! If not – it will be like running in waste deep mud; you might move forward, but it will take 100 times more energy.
The solution
Many business owners never actually have a true method of problem solving. They may look at an issue, take one guess an answer (apply a band aid) then move forward. The band aid eventually falls off – the issue grows – and the process is repeated. There are many processes for problem solving and for uncovering the true core reason for an issue. I use a system I created called CORE ISSUE RESOLTION. It unearths the issue, finds the REAL reason it is happening, and creates an action plan to crush it – and you move forward.
Not all problems are as evident a s the Miami Dolphins. GET HELP! Trying to solve all of the issues (or growth hurdles) alone is just plain business suicide. No longer do you need to build a business by yourself. Adapt a problem solving process – unearth what’s holding you back – and the LEAP FORWARD with new energy, greater ease - and much more speed!
What can we learn from Netflix?
Did you see it today? Another apology from Netflix for their decision to split their business lines and double their monthly fees. This is the SECOND apology sent out to their “beloved” customers in about 30 days.
Their decisions have cost them millions (their stock has dropped nearly 50% in a month) and millions of dollars in monthly fees from the nearly 1 million customers they figure to lose. Obviously this was a BAD decision for Netflix, but not the first for a huge brand - remember NEW Coke?
What can we learn from these two debacles?
You cannot win them all - but you can’t stop innovating!
Every new idea comes with risk. Will people understand it? Is there a need? Is it the next BIG THING - or the next flop? You cannot foresee the future - but you can do A LOT of market research (which is easier than ever now with Social media)
Even with the risk you cannot become stagnant and complacent. (Especially if you OWN your market). Your competition is constantly moving forward trying to find ways to take market share, creating the next BIG thing - and tapping your profits.
GET HELP!
The world is constantly evolving - as are the consumers’ needs. Fresh, new ideas (products and services) are consistently needed to move your company forward and make your competition irrelevant. It can be very scary and risky - but the rewards can be great.
As a Small Business you don’t have a million dollar research and development budget (or staff) You need to get helpcreating ideas, redefining markets - and making great ideas REALITY. Trying to handle all of this by yourself (along with your other 900 tasks / day) is just “business suicide”.
GET HELP!
All the best!
-Steven
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If you are ready to create some fresh, new ideas - make them reality then go to my site www.RockYourBusinessNow.com - and request a call with me.
We’ll brainstorm some opportunities - and see how to create massive momentum, more revenues and greater profits for YOUR business. Isn’t it time to Rock Your Business?
