10 April 2008

Winning in business

By Jim Pinto

“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” That is the well-known quote that exemplifies unfettered competitiveness, attributed to American football coach Vince Lombardi. Business, too, is a game, against competitors on a global scale. Winning or losing can make a significant difference.

Defining “winning” is much like defining “success.” The simplistic definitions quickly generate misunderstandings. Clearly unfettered competitiveness does not imply that “anything goes,” as is sometimes demonstrated in business. Companies like Enron demonstrated crude competitiveness, which represented “winning at all costs.” Their “winning streak” was quickly exposed.

It is important to win, but not at the expenses of other values. Beyond just staying “within the law,” good business respects ethics and human values. There are five key elements that exemplify winning—attitude, performance, teamwork, competitiveness, and values.

Winning is important. Players get disappointed when they lose, and they are happy when they win. They see greater rewards and motivation when the company performs well, and success breeds success. The key is to make goals achievable and tied to effort, not just results. A focus on creating a positive and productive business environment will help players to flourish, and the wins will come.

Whatever the concept of winning, it needs to serve the well-being of your enterprise. It must include a process of continual self-improvement. It is about pride in the work people do, knowing they have pushed themselves to the best they do.

The company does not “win” when it has achieved the financial performance of its business plan alone. Businesses truly win when they have contributed to their shareholders, employees, families, the community, and to society at large.

There is more to performance than just winning. From an individual point of view, having genuine interest and excitement in doing what it takes to achieve those goals is as important as actually achieving them. To win, there must be an intense passion for performance.

Basketball coach Phil Jackson said, “Winning is important, but what brings real joy is being fully engaged.” Or, to quote Vince Lombardi again, “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you should be fired with enthusiasm.”

Related links:

• Vince Lombardi - The Habit of Winning
  http://www.geocities.com/thekickinggame/Habitofwinning.htm
• Book – Jack Welch on Winning
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060753943/jimpintocom/103-5313118-0362220
• Quotes for Winning
  http://www.motivatingquotes.com/winningq.htm
• Winning Workplaces
  http://www.winningworkplaces.org/

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points, at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.