Unbelievable as it may sound, the new season for Major League Baseball begins this coming Sunday night. It is one of the undeniable rites of Spring - and if you have endured this year's Winter in the Midwest or East, I have no doubt you're ready for the change of Seasons!
Yet, baseball also provides a highly instructive metaphor for something every business - and individual - should be examining. And . . .while I try to avoid the over-use of sports analogies . . . consider these statistics from last year's season: In the Toronto Blue Jays infield, the shortstop position was often filled by John McDonald. Named in a 2007 poll as "Most Popular Blue Jay" - defeating their pitching ace, Roy Halladay, in the voting - this past year's season, McDonald had a batting average of .258.
(If you're not a baseball fan, a batting average of .250 would mean, on average, you got 2.5 hits for every 10 times to bat to that point in the season. A .300 average would, naturally, mean that you safely hit the ball 3 times per 10 times to the plate.)
Over at third base for the Blue Jays, for much of the 2009 season was a fellow Hoosier, Scott Rolen. During his stint with the Jays, (Rolen was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on July 31st.), Rolen's batting average was .305 - about 50 points higher than McDonald's.
How did that small difference translate into compensation? What does one-half of one hit more -- every TEN times at bat -- mean in terms of pay for performance?
McDonald makes a lot of money - his contract is about $1.5 million per season.
But, Rolen's modestly better production means a LOT bigger paycheck. His contract was for $11 MILLION per year!
Here's the point: When you play the game at a high level, being a "little bit" better means exponential improvements in returns!
You do not have to be twice as good as your competition to earn double the results.
Finding small points of distinction will make an enormous difference for you and your organization. Remember - Enterprise Rent-A-Car is renting the IDENTICAL vehicles as their competitor. Doing what could be viewed as a "little thing" - picking up the customer, rather than requiring them come to the rental location - created the nation's largest rental car company.
What small action could you take that could make you the "little bit" better to earn huge rewards?
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Top Floor Tips
by the McKain Team
If you have ideas to share, drop us a note. We always look forward to connecting with you!
You can email us at: topfloor (at) scottmckain.com.
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We've had recent requests for copies of 2 different articles that appeared in past UCEzine issues. The article below appeared in February 2008 (thanks for remembering Kelly T. from CA and Tom R. from MI), and we figure newer subscribers shouldn't miss out on something that others remember from so long ago.
The Power of Story - Walk Your Talk
We think it’s pretty important to ‘walk your talk’. (We think we have the best teacher on the planet in that regard in Scott McKain!) Keeping that in mind -- our team often brainstorms by putting our feet in the shoes of those with whom we do business – and simply thinking about what WE would REALLY want. We know that we want to feel special; and we want insight into those with whom we choose to do business. We want to know specifically that they walk their talk.
As you brainstorm with colleagues insofar as upcoming projects – or even if you’re simply thinking about distinction on a personal level, don’t forget nostalgia or how important it is when you tell your story or the story of your organization. We aren’t talking history – we are instead referencing emotions. Your past experiences have paved the road where you walk your talk. Why would you not consider sharing them?
Think about this. We don’t take photos because we want to know what we are seeing right now. We already know that. We take photos because we know that years from now, we are going to FEEL the moment we captured. Don’t be afraid to share nostalgic moments when conveying your powerful story.
It’s another way for you to create an emotional bond with your customers. After all, emotion precedes economics.
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Stumbling towards irrelevancy. . .
As posted on March 27, 2010 on BLOG, McKain Viewpoint. Read more of Scott McKain's insights at: http://mckainviewpoint.com.
If I were to start a "National Talk-Show Hosts Association," how high would the standards have to be to attract individuals already successful in the business to join? How compelling would the information and experience need to be so everyone from Rush Limbaugh to Jim Rome would feel they were missing out if they weren't a part of it. . .
Read the rest of this story >>
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