Quarterback Management

The inspiration for "Quarterback Management" came about as a result of seeing the need of small companies, like my own, to have a "game plan" for managing. The correlation between what it takes to succeed on the football field, and in the business world, are obvious to me as a former quarterback, football coach and company owner. The enthusiasm, the competitiveness, the discipline, and the need to practice to make perfect applies to the company organization as it does to the successful football team. There were many principles learned on the football field that led me to succeed in the business world. Football is a game designed to be fun for the participants. "Quarterback Management" is written to be a fun book, easy to read, with the emphasis on making managing fun. When you are having fun doing whatever it is you do, you are definitely being successful. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame achieved number one status in football during the 1988 season after years of mediocrity and disappointing play. This return of prominence was achieved under the leadership of a 150 pound, 5' 8" man by the name of Lou Holtz. Though small in stature, he is a giant among men. It took him three years to achieve this goal, and by his own admission, it was reached ahead of schedule. Lou Holtz was a leader with a plan. He operated with a short term plan, a long range plan, an annual plan, and a game plan that utilized his personnel to their best advantage. He left nothing to chance and reached his goals by exercising the best options available. “Quarterback Management" is not about one individual, but it is about having a plan. It is not just about football but the need to have a plan, whether on the football field, in business or on life's playing field. It is about scoring touchdowns and the execution of a plan to do that, and making a profit in the business world. It is not about recruiting, but it is about hiring the right people. It is about scout reports and competition in business. It is about football practice and employee training. It is about championships, and it is about management leadership. It is about pride and team records and it is about winning with a plan. The main purpose of "Quarterback Management" is to provide a general outline and guide for small business managers. It is directed to those individuals who find themselves in a management role, not because they are Harvard Business School graduates, but because they either inherited a management position in the family business, or they rose up from the ranks. It is also directed to the increasing number of energetic entrepreneurs who have started, or plan to start, a new business of their own. Managers often find themselves in situations they cannot solve. Too many times, a manager gets started with "seat of the pants" management and succeeds for a while in spite of himself. Managers experience growing pains, and therefore, continuously seek solutions and answers to their problems. The fact is, at some point in time, a business and/or company must come to grips with some sound management methods, or it will never achieve it's potential. Worse yet, it could be overtaken by a competitor. A business must have a plan. By incorporating sound management techniques into a plan, by following the plan, by monitoring it, and making necessary changes when needed, managers can lead a company with confidence and have fun while doing it. The intent in "Quarterback Management" is to pass on to small business managers some of the simple management ideas and techniques that worked so well in our organization. By implementing these unique strategies and following our overall "game plan" we were able to enjoy many years of success in the steel building industry. They are not new techniques and ideas. There is no deep, dark secret we uncovered in our company. Rather, they were ones we adopted as a result of attending sales meetings and management seminars, gleaning common sense solutions to complex and everyday problems. Our very best answers were brought forth within the organization born out of need. There are too many owners or managers who put in long hours, are overworked, overwhelmed, burned out and not having fun. They are so busy trying to manage chaos they cannot see the forest for the trees. These organizations amble along without direction. They operate on a day to day basis reacting instead of acting. They are totally content with mediocrity. They are boring and faceless companies in danger without realizing it. If your company even bears a slight resemblance to this description, "Quarterback Management" is for you. Let's do something about it. Begin by accepting the challenge. Take charge of your destiny. Be the new starting quarterback and lead your team. Include your employees; challenge them and encourage them to share your dream. DON’T GO TO BED TONIGHT WITHOUT A GAME PLAN FOR TOMORROW!