THE DREAM IN ACTION

This post is an enhanced version of a previous post.

Recently, on the Harvard Business Publishing site there was an article called, “What Surfing Can Teach Us About Managing the Unexpected”, it was all about responding to such tough economic times. The point was made, very well, that it’s not so important how we react to economic changes but more about how we prepare and position ourselves in a timely manor to take advantage of such turbulence. This point really hit home for me as a surfer…first I’ll share an excerpt from the article…

Instead of paddling around in circles as though we were in some calm lake, we need to learn to act like surfers — to place ourselves in the rising and falling swells, paddling forward while glancing occasionally backwards, so that we will be ready when the big wave comes. If we do that, we will stand up at the right moment, establish our balance, take a deep breath, and ride the exhilarating force of history all the way to shore.

Growing up surfing this analogy seems very appropriate and there are a few obvious lessons for entrepreneurs that I draw from this analogy.

The first lesson I’ll share that surfing can provide entrepreneurs is the lesson of preparation. Along with with catching waves, another extremely difficult task when learning to surf is just paddling into the line-up, past where the waves are breaking. This paddling session, can be tedious depending on the size of the waves, and is very similar to the preparation required for a successful start or change in business. Without putting in the preparation and training necessary you don’t have a chance at success.

I used to give surf lessons back home in San Diego and when teaching surfing I’d always tell people that “riding waves is actually pretty easy, however catching them is almost impossible”. This makes so much sense from a business standpoint because a great business idea could be ridden out by many people…these people are called employees…sure it still takes work, but not nearly as difficult. What is “practically” impossible is catching waves or starting and executing on the right business, in the right market, with the right product, and the right people. Timing and positioning.

I’m encouraged that as an entrepreneur I believe that my startup is actual timed well and positioned accordingly. On ReadWriteWeb.com, a top web technology blog, there was a post about how tech firms are hiring Developers and Community Managers. This is a strong affirmation that our target market of community developers is an important and emerging market, with a need. If we can develop software that meets the needs and solves the problems that community managers are having we will be successful. But, we must also build the right team and focus on the right targets.

How do we position ourselves? Well, there are two schools of thought. One, choose a competitor. Having competition can help a company define itself. The other school of thought is that you should differentiate yourself. By differentiating yourself you can separate yourself from “the norm” and give people something that was previously unavailable. Either way, paying attention to your positioning is critical to business growth. In the line-up as a surfer it’s all about the competition. Playing off the competitions mistakes and anticipating their moves can be very advantageous. I recommend this strategy in business as well.

As a life time surfer (excluding my stint in the mid-west) the lessons I learned were first, those of preparation. Once prepared, positioning and timing were next. I learned to paddle, position myself versus my competition, and then time the waves correctly for a successful ride. Now, as an entrepreneur, I’m utilizing those lessons every day. As we work to grow our businesses it is critical to keep these surfing lessons in mind.

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