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What SME owners can learn from the World of Rugby
Norman Jackson - JFP Strategic PlanningMonday 21st September 2015 – RBS 6
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TIP 1: Networking
Sir Ronald Cohen, Apax FounderSeptember 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
These thoughts are echoed by Sir Ronald Cohen, (Founder of the Private Equity Group Apax) who said: “Luck depends on the size and appropriateness of one’s network.”
Tony O’ReillyIrish Rugby International
& President of Heinz
Tony O’Reilly once said: “Rugby is like a beneficial Freemasonry” If you are passionate about rugby then you are friend of mine and I’ll help you if I can.
It takes a brave person to disagree.
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Simon Amor
TIP 2:Perseverance versus First Rule of Holes
September 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
In 2012, London Scottish were thrashed 54 - 9 by Nottingham.
As Director, Simon Amor knew that if they went on with a team of semi-professional players,they would continue to lose.
He went to the board with a proposal: “We have to go fully professional”.
The Board found the extra money –Simon’s winning ratio went from 33% to 55%. The Rugby Football Union noticed and appointed Simon England’s Sevens Coach, in 2013.
As Denis Healy, (former Labour MP) said: “ If you find yourself in a hole, - STOP DIGGING!”
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TIP 3:The Five Core Values of Rugby Union
Teamwork Respect
Enjoyment Discipline
SportsmanshipSeptember 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
It is more than likely that well run SMEs are already adopting these values.
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TIP 4: Drop the Ego
September 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
New Zealand All Blacks
Members of their team do not have out-sized egos. One of their mantras is: “No one player is bigger than the team”. They place emphasis on individual character & personal leadership. For them - “Better people make better All Blacks”
The All Blacks are one of the best (often the best) rugby teams in the world.
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TIP 5:Set Explicit Standards
September 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
Sir Clive Woodward
England’s Coach when they won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Sir Clive expected everyone to dress smartly, use mobile phones only in their own rooms and run on Lombardi Time (inspired by Vince Lombardi - Coach of the American Football Team, the Green Bay Packers), whereby everyone arrives at meetings 10 minutes early.
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TIP 6:“The Devil’s in the detail”
September 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
Bill McLarenScottish Rugby Commentator
The ‘Voice of Rugby’ made commentating sound easy – but don’t be fooled.
Like Mark Twain, who said it took him three weeks to write an impromptu speech, Bill’s numerous coloured commentating notes are legendary.
For him, it was all about the detail.In business, it’s the same.
8What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
Michael Lynagh
“Rugby …. brings together a group of people from different backgrounds, possessing different personalities all with different ideas, varying degrees of skills and capabilities trying to achieve a common goal.
To have done this at the highest level, with friends, in wonderful countries, playing against the best, is something that will never leave me.”
Being passionate about the world of business can bring similar pleasures
TIP 7:The Pleasure of Playing Rugby & Being in Business
September 2015
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Norman (Norrie) Jackson
September 2015What SME owners can learn from the world of Rugby – Norman Jackson JFP
• Partner - JFP Strategic Planning (http://www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk/)
• Director - Sunningdale Corporate Finance Limited (http://www.sunningdalecf.com/)
• Business Skills Speaker and Group Mentor - Richmond Chamber of Commerce
• Passionate about helping SMEs grow
• Email: [email protected]; Tel: 07710 348 197
• Twitter: @normanjackson7
• www.slideshare.net/normanjackson7