A Golf Tip About Mixing Business and Golf.
It’s well known that a very good place to conduct business is on the golf course. Executives world wide know that business people are happy to share their common frustration over their golf game, which sets up the right environment for business talk. More deals and business transactions have taken place on the golf course than you might think.
When conducting business on the golf course, players are out on the course to share a common goal – to win. But remember that when you are playing with business partners or prospects on the golf course, you should take steps to practice certain polite behaviors when playing golf with a potential business partner.
What’s the best way to balance competition in golf with business on the golf course? There just is not an easy answer to this. As you would do in any business situation, you will have to weigh the outcome you seek with common sense. Try to pay attention to what is happening, as if you want to land a big client, you likely will refrain from ridiculing your potential client’s missed chip shot.
Don’t leave the game being thought of as a suck-up though. When your client makes a 3 on a par 4 hole, don’t overdo your congratulations so that you don’t appear just to be stroking his (or her) ego. Handling business while on the golf course can be a very diplomatic proposition, so be sure to have a goal and plan when you go.
NEVER – and we stress emphatically – NEVER start out the golf match by declaring out loud to everyone what you are expecting to accomplish by the end of the round. To make sure you are going to get the big account, don’t get off on the wrong foot by stating your intention. Instead start off casually and get friendly before moving on to the business.
As you play, try to play your best game as much as you can. Even if you are playing against someone who is a far better player than you, NEVER let them win just to try to get them to give you their business. The idea is to play to win their respect.
Every day across the world, there is business being conducted on golf courses. It’s a great place to work on your business deals. Just make sure you use tact, decorum and diplomacy to make your business goals successful. Golf course business transactions could help your career in a big way.
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