As you know I’m big on sports analogies as they relate to our business. So much of what we do is just like coaching a sports team. You may also know I have a background in coaching, having coached Football, Basketball and Baseball. I also refereed NCAA college basketball for 17 years.
Right now you may want to consider a change in your strategy to resemble a “full court press.”
A full-court press is a basketball term that refers to a defensive style in which the defense applies man-to-man or zone defense to pressure the offensive team the entire length of the court before and after the inbound pass. Some presses attempt to deny the initial inbound pass and trap ball handlers either in the backcourt or at midcourt. Defenses not employing a full-court press generally allow the offensive team to get halfway down the court (a half-court press) or near the basket before applying strong defensive pressure.
A full-court press takes a great deal of effort, but can be an effective tactic. Often when teams are behind late in a game, they will apply full-court pressure as a means of attempting to produce turnovers as well as tire opponents. Certain teams, such as those coached by Rick Pitino, are known for applying full-court pressure during most of the game. Presses are especially effective against teams with poor ball handlers, shallow benches (since players become more fatigued attacking a press), or teams with deliberate offenses (since taking the ball up the court can waste a substantial portion of the shot clock).
A team with less talent can beat a talented team by utilizing a full court press for the entire game. It doesn’t take talent, but it takes a lot of heart and desire to play an “in your face” defense for the entire length of the court for a full forty minutes. Teams that apply this strategy are constantly running fresh players into the game who eventually wear the opposing team down and cause them to make mistakes resulting in easy baskets for the pressing team.
If you’re in the car business today you need to go into a full court press. You’re behind in the game. As of today, you’ve got 44 days until the whistle sounds to end this game. For some of you it’s win or go home. There is no choice. It’s a full court press. Every minute of every day it needs to be an “in your face” approach; take the ball and shoot. Do you know what good shooters do when they are in a slump? They shoot and shoot some more.
I know you think you’re doing all you can, but you aren’t, there is always more. If you’ve played sports you know that is true. How can you do more? Start by writing it down. Make a list of all the basic things you know about this business. Things you now do, things you used to do and things you’ve heard that others do. Once you make the list, make a commitment to go into a full court press for a minimum of the next 21 days. Why 21 days? Research has proven it takes 21 days to create a new habit. The reality is if you will focus on this list for the next 21 days good things will happen. You have no control over the past. You have total control over what you do today. Can you control the economy? Of course not, but you can control your efforts and your full court press. You have to take Jim Valvano’s (Former basketball coach at NC State) attitude of “never, ever give up.”
That’s all I’m gonna say,
Tommy Gibbs