Recently I received an email asking me…
“OK, Mr. Business Golf, I’m going to take your lead and go out and play a round of golf with a potential client. What am I expecting to happen during the round of business golf?” Signed: Drive4Show
This seems to be a theme going now that golf is starting to have a resurgence in the business class. Plus, these type of questions indicates even the younger generation is starting to mature in their attitude towards golf and the quality life golf will produce when golf is used as a business tool. However, there are still those who have problems processing logic thinking and keep negative thoughts in their heads about golf actually being a business tool.
However, there are still those who have problems processing logic thinking and keep negative thoughts in their heads about golf actually being a business tool.
Golf has been used for years…and maybe centuries…as a form of relationship building. Great friendships have been formed and thousands of big changes in the world were made after a round of golf. Notice I said, “after a round of golf”. That is due to the fact that very few deals are ever actually made during the round of golf or if they were they never went anywhere because the “deal” was mixed with the playing the game of golf. When the golf game is over so was the deal.
Business Golfers should not expect anything but Golf and small talk during the round of golf. It is after the round of golf that business golfers need to have expectations. Those expectations at the very most should be focused on relationship building and not be attempting to “Close the Deal”.
Have the End in Mine from the Beginning
It is very important the request that the client allows you to spend a minute with them after the round of golf visiting while enjoying an adult beverage. This lays out clearly your intentions. That is all that has to be said.
My answer to Drive4Show’s email was….
Well, Mr. Show, if you have taken the proper first step for playing business golf your expectations on what will happen should be laid out for you because you hinted to your client to what you were going to do after the round of golf. If this is NOT what you did, then your guess would be as good as mine on what your client is going to do when he senses the round of golf is going to be a 6-hour sales pitch. Regards, MrBusinessGolf
The very first step of playing business golf is taken way before your strap on your golf shoes. The invitation to play business golf is very important since it is the first touchpoint of your sales funnel. If the invitation is turned down then you have not wasted your time and you saved your reputation by not misleading your client.
Learning how to play business golf is not hard if you are open to being reputable. Attempting to use golf as a sales tool makes both the golf and business impossible to play.
Let me know how I can help.
