Playing Golf or Closing Deals?

As the cold weather sets in for an extended stay, I can’t help but daydream a bit about warm sunny climates and the green oasis of the golf course – doing business of course!

What is it about the sport of Golf that attracts the CEO’s, executives, and society elites?

Yeah, in case your doubting me, 90% of Fortune 500 CEO’s play golf!

“Golf provides a unique opportunity to bond with individuals for a significant amount of time in a peaceful serene surrounding,” says Accounting professor Bill Walsh. “If you have lunch with someone, that might be for an hour or so. In golf, you get to know the person much better since you’re battling the course together. In an age of teleconferencing, golf may be one of the last venues where you can maintain that personal contact.”

Playing golf together can also give a better insight into your partners business methods. In a survey of business professionals, 50% agree that the way a person plays, is very similar to how he or she conducts business.

Some CEO’s however do get too caught up in the game. Research consistently link CEO’s who play a lot of golf and those who run companies that underperform.

As with everything in life… moderation is key.

Happy Tuesday & Happy Selling!

Kevin