When I first browsed through the bookstore at Stetson Law School, I picked up soft cover books with titles similar to Gilbert Law Summaries: Criminal Law and Emanuel Law Outlines: Property. As I reviewed these books, I discovered that they were basically checklists of the legal issues, the rules of law, and the legal analysis that I would have to master to do well on the final examinations in my criminal law and real property courses.
Question: What have you been working on the past few months leading up to the season opener?
Jay: Working in baseball I have been asked many times, what do you do in the off season? The off season really dictates what kind of year you are going to have. We are pounding the pavement selling season tickets, sponsorships, radio, and promotional nights. Off-season is really in-season for selling.
In Texas, we’re known for our “bigger is better” philosophy. The Lone Star state features the largest of all state capital buildings, DFW Airport has the world’s largest parking lot, and three of the nation’s ten largest cities (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio) are proud to call Texas home.
Sir Winston Churchill emboldened the will of a nation-at-war with these words:
“Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in.”
His words brought courage and a depth of commitment, not only to Britain, but all of the Allied Forces...and there was victory. But, honestly, I was shocked when I discovered his actual quote was, “never give in.” What about you? I ALWAYS thought it was “Never QUIT.”
Admittedly, I, and possibly many of you, have misquoted Churchill. And, there is a BIG difference between never giving in and never quitting. We must never ‘give in’ to the evils of this world. Yet, I believe, no wait, I KNOW, quitting is essential for victory in our personal lives and our businesses.
This research report is courtesy of Stacy Wood, Melayne Morgan McInnes, and David A. Norton and The Journal of Consumer Research.
Closely contested major sporting events are followed by a significant increase in traffic fatalities for fans of the winning team, according to new research from North Carolina State University. It turns out there may be more on the line than many sports fans bargained for.
In today's world of immediate messaging from every source possible, it is critical that sales people deliver a consistent message to all customers both internally and externally. Our world changes so frequently and information travels so fast that an inconsistent message can alter business practices and can cause more work for the organization.
Coming from a small town in Kansas, my seasons turned with the beginning of Fall Football Practice, then Late Night at Allen Fieldhouse, and the Final Four. I literally grew up with my heroes: Chip Hilleary, Chris Piper, and “Downtown” Terry Brown. In those days, I was living and dying with each play. I looked forward to taking trips to Lawrence to watch games on the University of Kansas campus against traditional rivals.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been getting hit over the head with the importance of humility as it relates to leadership. Whether it be the books or articles I have been reading, speakers I have listened to, or the conversations I have had with multiple executives, the topic continues to surface. It is interesting to me, and probably to you, because clearly we can all improve at practicing humility. Of course, if we don’t think we need to, then we most certainly can.
My first reaction to the word “transition” is resistance, as far too often the words transition and change scare people for no apparent reason. When it comes to working in professional sports, change and transition are one in the same. Being able to cope with this is an inevitable part of our job. To some extent the change and transition actually excites us, as one day we could be a sub-.500 team, while tomorrow our team could acquire a superstar player that could impact our team and direction dramatically.
“In this fall — this is very tough — in this fall I am taking my talents to South Beach and play with the Miami Heat.” Last June, the words spoken by LeBron James reverberated throughout the sports community, sending a shiver through coaches and general managers across the NBA. LeBron James and Chris Bosh chose to join their new teammate, Dwayne Wade, as members of the Miami Heat. All in the prime of their careers; all committed to honing their individual talents; all in search of an NBA Championship. It was, perhaps, the greatest collection of All-Stars in NBA history. It was certain to lead to an NBA championship, probably many…it was just a matter of putting these individual players together. How could a team with this type of individual talent possibly fail?
