Quick Hits or Big Hits

Baseball season has started. It's a good time to consider business to baseball analogies. Hall of Famer Ty Cobb was famous for scratching out base hits, then terrorizing opposing pitchers and catchers on the base paths. Cobb was the most feared hitter in baseball until a young pitcher from Boston entered the league. Babe Ruth reinvented the game by introducing the previously ultra rare homerun into the offensive strategy.

Babe Ruth went on to win 7 World Series championships (3 with Boston and 4 with the Yankees), while Cobb failed to earn the ultimate team award despite a long and prolific career. It is important to note that Babe was a member of some of the greatest teams in the history of the game, and was also a great hitter.

In business, it is important to deal with immediate day to day aspects of business operations. However, the best companies will also have an eye to the future. These companies are able to succeed in everyday business functions such as customer service, order processing, logistics, and employee training, while still investing in areas such as product development, marketing, and engineering.

Businesses with expertise in fire fightering can get caught up in the excitement of their daily battles. It is important to get some perspective and determine how to analyze the reason for all the fires, and develop some preventative measures. As well, business leaders need to architect an action plan to utilize technology innovations, R&D breakthroughs and other strategic business tools to drive their business rather than having their business drive them. Introducing the "big hit" into game plan creates excitement and energy for the team. As well, these "big hits" can provide separation from competitors and accelerate business growth. The inherent challenge with the "big hits" are that they are riskier and more difficult to achieve. Each business should practice situational hitting. The ability to hit for average and also to swing for the fences will improve the overall game of the enterprise.