Here’s why Freo have missed the boat again….

I find so many parallels between AFL and business, it’s wonderful. In the past, the AFL could learn so much and did from business in their efforts to improve. In recent years, it has been business that could learn from the AFL about strategy, tactics, training, recruiting, retaining and improving team members…

Today however the Freo Dockers and most the teams in the AFL for that matter can learn a trick from us capitalists!

Trying to keep up with trends is important but where you want to be is in front of those trends or taking advantage of the trends and the benefits they bring.

In the AFL over the last 3 years, teams have been trying to learn Hawthorn’s style of play, that specialises in penetrating the oppositions defence with either a patient ‘chip and run’ or ‘hand ball and run’ combination. Then when a passage has been found through the defence of the opposition, a blitz like run from the Hawks happens to take advantage of the now outnumbered and overrun defence.

One thing most teams in the AFL this year have not factored into their game plan, is the change to the rule in the area around the player taking a kick (previously 5 meters, now 10). The change to this rule has meant that teams have more space to dispose of the ball left, right and backwards. When shooting for goal, from the forward pockets, running around on the mark and improving the angle is a much more viable choice when taking a set shot on goals.

The teams that have benefited most from this particular rule change are Sydney and the Western Bulldogs. I would say both teams game style has suited this rule change better than most because of the way they over lap and play on, take the game on and open up the play.

Ross Lyon was the master of shutting the game down and controlling it from a defensive perspective in year’s gone bye, but with most teams now learning the “Hawks game plan” coupled with the 10 meters around the player taking the kick rule, that style of play is obsolete.

 It is no longer good enough to shut the game down and imitate Hawthorn, it is important to take advantage of the 10 meters around the player taking the kick rule to really stand out in the competition.

The Freo Dockers now face an uphill struggle to learn, change, execute and master the change that has been introduced away from what has served them 4 years and Ross Lyon for the last 7 years.

The same can be said in business…

Not only do we need to do our best to survive in a changing market place, but we have to identify opportunities and take advantages of those opportunities when they come along.

A favourite saying of mine is “where things aren’t working, don’t sit back and hope they improve, fix them now while you can. Where things are going well, how can do more of it and take greater advantage of these opportunities?”

And just do it!

It’s the ebs and flows and the many small decisions you make in business along the way, that you make them consistently, they add up to make a significant contribution to the success of your business.

The momentum you create when you regularly;

• plan
• implement
• review
• re do
• review

This process ensures the organisation is in a constant state of growth, evolution and change. It is better to make regular small changes to your business game plan than have to overhaul it and find that the team members cant adjust, understand or learn the changes quick enough, just like what the Freo Dockers are going through now.

If you know your business isn’t keeping up with the competition, you need to make some changes to your strategy, marketing and business model but you are unsure of where to start, we can help!

At ABC Business Improvement we have or are assisting builders, tradesmen, retailers, restaurants, wholesalers, manufacturers, mechanics, professional service providers like accountants, lawyers, pharmacists, dentists, importers/ exporters and we can assist you too!

At ABC Business Improvement we will organise a meeting where you will;

–         Uncover the challenges you are facing

–         Define a path to overcome them

 –        Create a first step plan to move forward

 –        Gain a sense of excitement and relief, knowing where you are going

Be one of the first 5 to contact me this week to organise a strategy session to take you business from being in the dark ages to leading edge of your industry.

Life rewards those who take action!