7 Ways SME Owners can Learn from the World of Rugby

1. 1
Seven Ways SME Owners can
Learn from the World of Rugby
Norman Jackson - JFP Strategic Planning
Thursday, 24th September 2015

2. 22
TIP 1:
Networking
Sir Ronald Cohen, Apax Founder
September 2015
These thoughts are echoed by Sir Ronald
Cohen, (Founder of the Private Equity
Group Apax) who said: “Luck depends on
the size and appropriateness of one’s
network.”
Tony O’Reilly
Irish Rugby International
& President of Heinz
Tony O’Reilly once said: “Rugby is like a beneficial Freemasonry” If you are
passionate about rugby then you are friend of mine and I’ll help you if I can.
It takes a brave person to disagree.
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

3. 33
Simon Amor
TIP 2:
Perseverance versus First Rule of Holes
September 2015
In 2012, London Scottish were thrashed
54 - 9 by Nottingham.
As Director, Simon Amor knew that if they
went on with a team of semi-professional
players, they would continue to lose.
He went to the board with a proposal:
“We have to go fully professional”.
The Board found the extra money –
Simon’s winning ratio went from 33% to 55%.
The Rugby Football Union noticed and
appointed Simon England’s Sevens Coach, in
2013.
As Denis Healy, (former Labour MP) said: “ If you find yourself in a hole, - STOP
DIGGING!”
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

4. 44
TIP 3:
The Five Core Values of Rugby Union
Teamwork Respect
Enjoyment Discipline
Sportsmanship
September 2015
It is more than likely that well run SMEs are already adopting these values.
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

5. 5
TIP 4:
Drop the Ego
September 2015
New Zealand All Blacks
Members of their team do not have out-sized egos.
One of their mantras is: “No one player is bigger than the team”.
They place emphasis on individual character & personal leadership.
For them - “Better people make better All Blacks”
The All Blacks are one of the best (often the best) rugby teams in the world.
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

6. 6
TIP 5:
Set Explicit Standards
September 2015
Sir Clive Woodward
England’s Coach when they won
the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
Sir Clive expected everyone to
dress smartly, use mobile
phones only in their own rooms
and run on Lombardi Time
(inspired by Vince Lombardi -
Coach of the American Football
Team, the Green Bay Packers),
whereby everyone arrives at
meetings 10 minutes early.
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

7. 7
TIP 6:
“The Devil’s in the Detail”
September 2015
Bill McLaren
Scottish Rugby Commentator
The ‘Voice of Rugby’ made
commentating sound easy – but
don’t be fooled.
Like Mark Twain, who said it took
him three weeks to write an
impromptu speech, Bill’s numerous
coloured commentating notes are
legendary.
For him, it was all about the detail.
In business, it’s the same.
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

8. 8
Michael Lynagh
“Rugby …. brings together a group of
people from different backgrounds,
possessing different personalities all
with different ideas, varying degrees
of skills and capabilities trying to
achieve a common goal.
To have done this at the highest
level, with friends, in wonderful
countries, playing against the best, is
something that will never leave me.”
Being passionate about the world of business
can bring similar pleasures
TIP 7:
The Pleasure of Playing Rugby & Being in Business
September 20157 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

9. 9 September 2015
John Fairley
(based Camberley)
sp@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07786 013035
JFP Strategic Planning
Partners
Norman Jackson
(based Richmond)
nj@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07710 348197
Peter Tory
(based Marlowe)
pt@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07908 204057
Website: www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP

10. 9 September 2015
John Fairley
(based Camberley)
sp@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07786 013035
JFP Strategic Planning
Partners
Norman Jackson
(based Richmond)
nj@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07710 348197
Peter Tory
(based Marlowe)
pt@jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
mobile: 07908 204057
Website: www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk
7 Ways SME owners can learn from the world of rugby - Norman Jackson - JFP