Frequently, …nearly everytime someone asks me if I play golf…, I’m asked questions like, Don’t you have to be a scratch golfer to be a business golfer? or…If my boss asks me to play golf with him, do I let him win?
It is good business people are asking these type of questions. It means they are searching for the answers to the same questions I was asking before I wrote the book, How to Play Business Golf. When I started playing golf many years ago I, like millions of other recreational golfers, struggled with finding time to play. The only way I was going to be able to play more golf was to figure out how to get playing golf into what I did for professionally.
At that time, I was consulting business people on the importance of developing a sound business operation and coaching them on how to manage their operations effectively. I was using the traditional method of marketing my services of booking myself solid with one-on-one meetings with business leaders.
My close rate using this method was way below 1%. Why? I am still searching for that answer. Could be buyers fatigue 0r fear of being sold something they do not feel they need.
But, one day, I was at the country club and one of my fellow golf partners asked if I had time to talk to him after our round about how to solve some issues he was having with his business. It was then when I realized how playing golf before a business meeting opened more doors than just sipping coffee with someone you did not know.
After that, 90% of my marketing meeting where held after a round of business golf. My close rate went up to 40%, however, my contact list increased 85%.
So, playing golf does really matter if you are playing business golf. Even when you are playing golf recreationally, it matters since sometimes a round of recreational golf will turn into a round of business golf later.
Let more about how to play business golf in my book, How to Play Business Golf.
