CEO Blog

Football season 2010, a year of improvement and success for the Cleveland Browns (now, I know there are some of you out there that doubt a resurgence of the Browns…but just watch), a year of changes in College Football leagues, nervousness about the future of the NFL schedules (18 regular season games??   2011 Collective Bargaining agreement), expanded D1AA playoffs and growth in the use of instant replay (becoming personally available in new stadiums) and more lively “fanatasy football” leagues.   Being a football buff, I follow the news, but at the end of the day, have true admiration for the players and coaches.  It is kind of like our business.   When I look out into the field, there are many distractions that take away from the day to day need to practice good fundamentals.  Whether you are an inside employee focused on bringing the highest quality product to the field, or if you are in the trenches as a sales rep, gaining yardage every day, there is one key attribute that will sustain success and increase confidence.  That is; PRACTICE FUNDAMENTALS EVERY DAY!!!

In John Grisham’s book; “Playing for Pizza”, Rick Dockery is a NFL QB for the Browns, who was released and ended up playing for the Italian football league.   When he arrived in Parma Italy, he realized that his linemen were local businessmen and he didn’t have much hope for winning many games.   So, what did he do?   He focused on a few fundamentals and each week during the season, he added plays, as the rest of the team could handle.   Rick Dockery found creative new ways to win.  You know why?  He had desire!!!   That is what everyone of us do on a daily basis.  We focus on practicing the basic fundamentals until we reach a level of performance that out performs the competition.   Sales Representatives should never forget to keep looking for business opportunities and the “plays”, to gain yardage.  This includes practicing good selling skills, follow up, striving to gain a first down and discovering competitors weakness.   It is a step by step process.   Rick Dockery led the Parma Panthers to a championship.  He won because their team worked on fundamentals and built off their strength.

We have many examples of achievement at OrthoHelix and it is because our professional team is in sync and focused on gaining yardage every play.

Now, if you want to read about the business aspects of football; salary caps, union rules, revenue sharing, roster management, players agent involvement, game planning, and more, you can pick up Brian Billick’s book ; “More than a Game”.   The book goes into detail about the state of the NFL, which is not all that flattering.   When reading the book you will again see examples of changes and external distractions from team performance.   So, how do teams persevere through the politics and win?   Those teams that practice fundamentals, and game adjustments usually gain yardage and win championships.   

In our changing marketplace, it is easy to get distracted by pressures from our multiple customers.   Here is to the fine people associated with OrthoHelix who practice their fundamentals, and demonstrate consistent growth over time.