The boxer and the business person share many parallels. Hard work, focus, drive, dedication, astute attention to detail and many more attributes. One does not become a world-class boxer or a high earner in the business world without an abundance of crossover qualities.
In his hit TV series The Profit, Marcus Lemonis used his business savvy and expertise to help advise and turn around small businesses, while making a capital investment of his own. Episode three of the second season saw Lemonis engaging in some classic boxing training as he worked the pads in Michael Sena’s Pro Fit Gym. Lemonis ended up investing more heavily in Sena’s wife’s nutrition bar sideline rather than Sena’s old school gym setup.
During the episode Lemonis revealed that he is a regular gym user, and clearly knows the standard boxing moves. Staying fit and in shape is a key part of daily life for many successful entrepreneurs. Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World and boasts assets in the multi-millions.
“Performance is the best way to shut people up” - Marcus Lemonis
Speaking of high profile entrepreneurs and investors, Gary Vaynerchuk is another who has brushed shoulders with the adrenaline-fuelled world of pugilism. The head of VaynerX media and communications company and original founder of Wine Library is held in high esteem by many aspiring entrepreneurs and as of 2017 was reported to be worth close to $200million.
Vaynerchuk’s 2013 book, “Jab, jab, jab, right hook” is the ultimate boxing title. Many top boxing coaches will teach their targets to double and triple the jab (a single jab can often provide an easier target to counter punch) and follow with a right hook, or in many cases a straight right hand or overhand right cross.
For Vaynerchuk the use of a boxing combination is a business analogy for providing value, value, value to a prospective customer before hitting them with the final right hook. In this case, the offer. The hope is that in turn this will lead to a sale as the prospect has been softened up sufficiently and ready to purchase. There’s little value in going in straight with a pitch or a hand out in business expecting a sale or transaction as customers often need to know, like and trust those they are handing money to. Parallel this approach to boxing where the combinations have to set up the big shots, as there is little value in going into a fight all guns blazing, throwing haymakers and hoping to get lucky by knocking your opponent out cold. The blurb for Vaynerchuk’s book further explains the boxing analogy.
“When managers and marketers outline their social media strategies, they plan for the “right hook”—their next sale or campaign that’s going to knock out the competition. Even companies committed to jabbing—patiently engaging with customers to build the relationships crucial to successful social media campaigns—want to land the punch that will take down their opponent or their customer’s resistance in one blow. Right hooks convert traffic to sales and easily show results. Except when they don’t.”
Once again this exemplifies the links between boxing and business.
Comments