It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Thirty-three years ago Heinz Ketchup lost their firm with their biggest account, McDonalds. Since then they have been working to win it back. They lost McDonalds' firm back in 1973 because there was a small tomato crop and, instead of shorting the contribute of bottled ketchup, Heinz shipped less to the "Golden Arches." In the past few years they had some success when they won McDonald's firm in parts of Europe and Asia, but they have yet to crack North America. Michael Hasco, the Heinz executive with the accountability of capturing this critical firm was quoted as saying, "I'm not giving up, it's a marathon, not a sprint."

I took that statement, "It's a marathon, not a sprint" as a lesson for myself and also for every businessperson.

Sprint

In my convention I see firm owners and executives that make one, two, three attempts at breaking into a new account, retrieving a lost list (like the Heinz / McDonalds story above), bringing out a successful new product, or creating a new process. They commonly quit if the first few attempts don't bring the desired results. I hear all sorts of excuses, but I rarely see a long-term sustained effort. every person wants instant success, but if the target is big enough and the payoff worth the effort, think of firm success in terms of a marathon event and, when that payoff comes it will have been worth the effort.

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Sprints are fascinating but ephemeral. They represent a astronomical number of energy expended quickly. Marathons need a sustained effort over time so adrenaline needs to be budgeted so one can reach the conclude line. Maybe we're all adrenaline junkies and go from sprint to sprint, chasing every opportunity, never seeing at the long-term goal.

In firm it is prominent to always keep one eye on the long-term goal to keep from being distracted by a short-lived opportunity. Every time an opening arises, as they inevitably will, always ask either it will help attain your goal. If it doesn't, then don't go down that path towards an fascinating sprint. Stay in the marathon.

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint