Welcome to the NEW YEAR!!!

Bring your game into the New Year: Michael Jordan knows his numbers

I just recently wrote an article about a baseball team using numbers to win. And in that same week, hearing a quote, I realised something about Michael Jordan’s career.

Michael Jordan would make a great businessman. Oh, I would actually say he is a great businessman, second to basketball.

Michael set goals

Michael set out to be the world’s greatest basketball player. He didn’t start out mucking around.

This would have been a huge target to him, but he set it. He kept it front of mind in every shot, every training session, every time he went on the court.

“I will be the best

Michael knew his numbers

In a recent television ad, Michael is quoted as saying:

I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

The man knew his numbers. Even though in the quote above, he’s brought the focus on the negative numbers, he would be able to tell you how many shots he made, how many games he won, and how many game winning shots he made.

What I also find interesting about this quote is it has no mention of:

Games won
Trophies collected
Championship rings won

These ones that he didn’t mention are all lag indicators, rather than lead indicators that are mentioned in the quote.

Michael achieved his success

The outcome of his focus, tracking and making adjustments based on these numbers ultimately lead to his success.

Touted regularly in the Top 10 lists of greatest basketball players, his success is very well known.

What has this got to do with business?

Well, the same principles apply:

1) Set targets

2) Know your numbers

3) Work hard