The Olympic Games: What UK Small Businesses Can Learn From Athletes

William's Blog February 2012

‘Each year an athlete will have at least one major goal and that is to be able to perform to the best of their ability at a major Championships such as the Olympic Games.

An athlete's training schedule needs to be highly structured so that they can achieve the right balance of speed, strength and endurance. The athlete's team must consider all factors that may have an indirect effect on the three key performance parameters above, as well as developing each one in the correct ratio for the individual athlete in question.

Whereas there may be a particular template that an athlete and coach may work from, believing it brings about successful results, there always needs to be a degree of flexibility when administering it so that both can allow for unexpected complications, such as being forced to take time off training due to injury.

Both athlete and coach must be able to respond accordingly to their environment and adapt their template where necessary. Reasons for such necessary change can be response to training load; the movement of performance goals based on what the competition is doing and the athlete's end of year targets.

Often our training is based on looking at performances of the previous years and being aware of what has worked particularly well. We ask ourselves what brought about positive and measured improvements compared to efforts in avenues that were less productive. We then use this information to work on our strengths to make sure they stay that way, at the same time as eliminating our relative weaknesses to the point that they no longer become a limiting factor. The key is knowing how much time and effort to concentrate in a particular area.  

My view is that weaknesses need to be worked to the point that they no longer prevent an individual or business from developing.  Any further time spent in this area beyond that point tends to act a distraction from focussing on the programme template as an entire unit.

You'll notice the points I've made in bold above: structure, flexibility, adaptation, analysis of past performance, strengths and weaknesses.  All are extremely applicable aspects in terms of developing small businesses, growing turnover and profit and achieving, hopefully surpassing, your goals.  Whether you're an athlete honing your Olympic preparations or a small software company developing your product offering, there are a lot of similarities in approaches, hopefully with reaching the gold medal position on the podium the result of your hard work.'     

About the Author

William Sharman is Britain's top 110m hurdler, currently preparing for the Olympic Games. He maintains a keen perspective on key issues relating to business. William has a BA in Economics from Leicester University and an MSc in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University.

Terry Forsey Consulting: Supporting William Sharman in his Ambitions. 

Tel: 01536 771440             www.terryforsey.com