5 Marketing Strategies Basketball Taught Me

originally posted at http://marketingconversation.com/2010/11/19/5-marketing-strategies-basketball-taught-me/ "

I love playing and watching basketball and as I watch I observe the key points and factors affecting the outcome of the game. As I was analyzing the points of a particular game, I realized that some of it can be applied to marketing and business. It’s not that it’s like a game but the values needed are applicable to both.

Here are the marketing strategies that I have learned in a basketball game:

1. Have a game plan. You don’t want to go to a game without realizing your goals and strategies. Same with marketing, you don’t want to be lost or confused when you begin and in the middle of the industry. Having a game plan gives you something to focus on come game time and helps you feel somehow relax. Now you have something to work on and the next thing you need is…
2. Follow your game plan. What is the essence of the plan if you will not stick to it? By following the plan you drew you will be able to dictate the pace of the game itself.
3. Read the defense. You should learn how to read your opponents’ strategy too. You should have different “plays” prepared in your plan suitable for different defense formation.
   You have competitors in marketing as well. You should be paying attention to what they are doing and how they execute, legally of course, because you need to…

4. Avoid unnecessary fouls. Fouls can ruin your momentum and can give your opponents an upper hand in the game. Same as with marketing you seek to play by the rules and stay in the game, after all fouls can get you out of the game so be careful.
5. It’s a team game.You should always remember that you have your teammates to back you up or carry you through the game, so be a good support or know when to pass the ball.
   When the economy begin to be so demanding and you feel the pressure pressing on you, you have your coworkers and the whole company to help you through the adversities, so return the favor, be a good team player.
6. Go ahead and make the shot. If you know and you feel that you can shoot and make the ball go in, do not hesitate, go for it! It’s always safe to pick the high percentage shots. If there is a decision you have to make when it comes to marketing, go for it if you feel that it has a high rate of success, if you miss, it can always bounce back in or be ready for the rebound so get back and play again, don’t be afraid to take the risks, they may pay off.

These are some basketball lessons that can somehow be applied to marketing. If these are executed well together with passion and other components, they can surely help you win the game.

I believe that the most important thing in basketball should be placed in mind when you enter the marketing business. That is, HAVE A GOOD GAME. Whether you win or lose, if you had a superb game you won already in a way. You never know, a lot of fans and consumers often seek for quality.