metro bank(24 09-15)seven ways sme owners can learn from the world of rugby full text v1

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Seven Ways SME Owners can Learn from the World of Rugby

Norman Jackson - JFP Strategic PlanningThursday, 24th September 2015

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TIP 1: Networking

Sir Ronald Cohen, Apax FounderSeptember 2015

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.

7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

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Simon Amor

TIP 2:Perseverance versus First Rule of Holes

September 2015

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!” 7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

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TIP 3:The Five Core Values of Rugby Union

Teamwork Respect

Enjoyment Discipline

SportsmanshipSeptember 2015

It is more than likely that well run SMEs are already adopting these values.


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TIP 4: Drop the Ego

September 2015New 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 2015

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 2015

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.


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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 20157 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

9 September 2015

John Fairley (based Camberley) [email protected]: 07786 013035

JFP Strategic PlanningPartners

Norman Jackson (based Richmond)[email protected]: 07710 348197

Peter Tory(based Marlowe)[email protected] mobile: 07908 204057

Website: www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk


mailto:[email protected]



http://www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk/