Everything I Know About Business, I Learned from Bowling

Yes, it's true, playing a sport is not just about the enjoyment, it's about learning something: learning the rules, learning the techniques, learning how to play well with others. These are important lessons; lessons that are easily translated into the business environment.

As a bowler, I've learned a lot about the sport. And what I've realized is that bowling is a lot like the world of business.

Read the Lanes and Make Adjustments Quickly

Conditions change quickly in the sport of bowling because your bowling ball pushes the oil down the lane leaving dry spots or spreading the oil to different areas. So while slowing your ball speed and putting it down early might work on freshly oiled lanes, when the conditions become drier you may find you have to increase the speed and push the ball further out on the lane.

Well, when it comes to business you need that same flexibility. Whether you are a business owner or an employee, it is important to be able to read people and situations, understand market and labor trends, and make the necessary adjustments. Things change quickly in the world of business - from the decline in the economy to the advent of new technology and the introduction of new ideas.

The best bowlers read the lane conditions and make adjustments quickly. The best business people read the market conditions and do the same thing.

You've Got to Have the Right Equipment to Do Well

Bowling is one of those sports that you can take up whenever you want without making a big financial investment. Just go to any bowling center, rent a pair of bowling shoes, choose your favorite bowling ball and hit the lanes.

However, if you want to do it right, getting the correct bowling shoes, having your own ball drilled specifically for your hand, and taking a few lessons goes a long way toward improving your game. And as new equipment becomes available- changes to ball design, new high performance footwear, and updated accessories -- bowlers can improve even more.

In business, the most successful companies realize the importance of the tools and equipment they use each day. They understand the need to have the right leadership and infrastructure as well as the proper technology, systems and procedures in place.

There's Always Something New to Learn

Challenges are a constant in bowling. From the first time you step up on the approach and throw your first bowling ball to your very first amateur bowling tournament, there is always something new to learn about the sport. Even the pros review their performance and make adjustments accordingly.

Businesses do the same thing. It's not enough to do well in your industry and then rest on your laurels. The old adage of not fixing what ain't broke can only take you so far. If you don't keep your eyes open, your competition can slip right past you and take over your market before you even know. That's why companies such as Google, General Electric and Wal-Mart have to focus on things that are important in today's market -- sustainability, technology and contribution - and be ahead of the curve on what might be coming down the pike tomorrow.

It's Important to Be a Team Player

Bowling on a team in a league you have the opportunity to enjoy great camaraderie. Someone always has your back. You win as a team and you lose as a team. The same is true when you work with a great group of coworkers.

If you know anything about business, you are aware of the concept that businesses are social organisms. They thrive when the people who operate within them thrive. And that's why it is important to create the type of workplace culture that encourages the humanism within an organization. It's important to never forget that a company only exists and is only as strong as the people who work there.

It's Fun to Do Well and Win

Just as in any sport, bowling is fun, and it's even more fun to win. When you work in the world of business, it's fun to win, too. Having a vision and seeing it become a successful business can be very satisfying. Ask any small business owner and she is likely to tell you how gratifying it is to do what she is most passionate about and be paid for it.

So whether you play baseball, football, basketball or even bowl like me, the lessons you learn on the playing field are important not only to your success in that sport, but can help you in your business life as well.