Jun 14, 2019
It may come as a surprise that Jiu-Jitsu has been my teacher in learning the best business practices. The things I learned in martial arts have translated into business. Listen to these detailed steps outlined in this episode. When you follow them, you will significantly increase your business.
It’s all about beating the competition and becoming the best you can be for your customers. Just like in Jiu-Jitsu, you must find the leverage points that work best for you. Do you want to propel your business forward? Take some lessons from Jiu-Jitsu with me and learn how.
Lesson number one: To beat big you have to go small
The temptation in business is to try to act like a big business. You may think it makes you more legitimate and gains you respect. But when you do that, you lose leverage. The big brands don’t have the ability to connect with customers on a personal level. As a small business, this becomes your unique competitive advantage.
In Jiu-Jitsu, if you’re facing an opponent who is stronger, you won’t be able to outmuscle them. You have to use leverage and technique. In the same way, use your connection with customers and make their experience with you really stand out. You will build your following, your brand, and ultimately, your business.
Lesson number two: Pay for mentorship
As you begin to build your business, you must then identify someone who has knowledge of your business. Be willing to pay for their guidance and diligently put into practice what they teach. It’s all about learning how to fulfill your greatest potential. A good mentor knows that success in business is not just about the numbers, but also how to become a better version of yourself. That will translate into better focus and productivity.
Lesson number three: There are no shortcuts - getting good at anything takes hard work and time
In Jiu-Jitsu, the average person does not have the ability to get a black belt. It takes years of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work. To succeed in business, the same is true. As you focus on mentorship and get the proper guidance to move further ahead in the race, you must continue to run to get to the finish line. You must run hard and put in the necessary work because there’s always someone right behind you. The competition is fierce. As you work hard and build a successful business, it makes you stand out from the rest. There are no shortcuts in building the kind of business you can be proud of. Take the time to build it well.
Lesson number four: Technique - adhere to the best business practices - it’s all about the fundamentals
The difference between good and great comes down to details and efficiency. This is true not only in Jiu-Jitsu but also in business. This lesson has been the most impactful in my business. To succeed, be mindful of habits you are building every day. Don’t get caught up in all the new tools and software. Focus on the vital few things that will propel your business above the rest. It always comes down to these four elements:
- Are you building your audience?
- Are you converting that audience into customers?
- Are you working to increase the average order value?
- Have you established systems to increase the frequency of customer purchases?
Everything you do in your business should be judged against those vital few. This is how to drive your business forward. Stick with the solid fundamentals and master them.
Lesson number five: Showing up is the hardest part
Showing up and consistently putting in the work - that’s the hardest part. Success is a habit. Be mindful of what you spend time on and where your attention is every day. Keep track of this so you can see what habits you’re forming. In order to become consistent in Jiu-Jitsu, I had to create the habit of showing up routinely to train. I made this happen by keeping my uniform and everything needed in a bag, ready to go. Whatever it took to create the habit of going a reality, I did it.
It’s the same in business. Once you sit down at your desk, you can focus on the work ahead of you. It’s easy to do emails and respond to comments, but be ready to do the hard work - the work no one wants to do. With each habit you are forming in your everyday business, ask if it’s moving you toward your target. If not, eliminate it or, at the least, be mindful and monitor it.
Outline of This Episode
- [0:30] Learn the five things Jiu-Jitsu can teach you about business
- [1:47] Number one: To beat big you have to go small - learn what this means
- [5:00] Number two: Pay for mentorship AND be diligent to apply what you learn
- [8:14] Number three: There are no shortcuts - getting good at anything takes hard work
- [10:00] Number four: It’s all about technique - learn why it matters so much
- [12:13] Number five: Showing up is the hardest part
Connect With Bryan Bowman
- Bryan’s website: https://www.ecomunderground.com/
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