It is so very interesting that some of the best entrepreneurs have some sports in their background. It makes sense because business is a rather competitive game indeed. Just how much similar is a sporting event or sports to business? Well, pretty similar and many sports exist truly because there is commercial value. Professional Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Football and Golf all are both a business and a sport. Here are some similarities to both sports and business, which you might find intellectually stimulating and intriguing.

1.) In business you must first learn how to run a business; in sports you must train.

2.) In business you need the most efficient equipment, computers and systems; in sports you need the best bike, shoes, gear or bobsled.

3.) In business you must make sales goals; in sports you must score goals.

4.) In business you must strategize and have proper planning; in sports you must have a game plan and memorize the plays.

5.) In business you are competing against the competition for market share and sales; in sports you must compete against your opponent (s) to win.

6.) In business if you are the best you must defend your brand name; in sports if you win you must defend your title.

7.) In business your brand name is paramount and you must stay on top; in sports if you lose too many games you are forgotten.

Those are just some of the most obvious parallels to business and sports and there are others. I bring you this only to help you see a new perspective in the game of business and help you win market share and increase sales. Business is much about competition and winning. Perhaps you can come up with 3 more similarities between the two; consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?