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Never Wrestle with a PIG
The business books at the library and bookstores fill many shelves. Some authors tendto run a little long at the keyboard. Thereis one voice that stands out from the crowd,Mark McCormack. Mark McCormack is the founder of theInternational Management Group (IMG) and wasthe guy who became Arnold Palmer's agent in1959. At the time, although enormouslysuccessful and popular, Palmer had only oneendorsement deal - with Heinz for $500 a year(and as much ketchup as he wanted). Mark and Arnie's simple handshake agreementchanged the world of sports forever. Stickwith me, this is NOT about sports. It wasn't long before McCormack had signedtwo other rising stars Gary Player and JackNicklaus. McCormack didn't limit himself togolf. In 1968, he signed his first tennisplayer, Australia's Rod Laver as well asrepresenting athletes from football, rugby,cricket, motor racing and a host of othersports. McCormack's company, International ManagementGroup or IMG, became the biggest name incorporate sport and moved beyond sports,managing former Presidents and PrimeMinisters, Pope John Paul II and evenrepresented the Nobel Peace Prize. There is more to the sports business thanknowing how to swing a golf club or how tightto string a tennis racket. Mark McCormackbegan sharing his common sense approach tobusiness in 1984, when he wrote "What TheyDon't Teach You at Harvard Business School" abook that spent twenty-one weeks at the topof the New York Times bestseller list. He followed it with "What They STILL Don'tTeach You at Harvard Business School" andrecorded both of them on audio cassette. These are not sports books but essential,down to earth, common sense, get-a-gripbusiness advice books. Reading them is great,but listening to them on audio cassette, readby Mark himself is an even bigger treat.McCormack is one of the most plain-speakingand credible business teachers we have, andhe comes across especially well in thisrelaxed studio recording. Though Mark's principles are powerful, he's ahumble teacher for someone at his level. Hisdelivery is so understated you will discoverthe value of his ideas naturally rather thanhaving to work around an overzealous salespitch. Listening to Mark's unassuming voice,with no airs, is like having an understandingbusiness partner in the seat next to you asyou drive down the road. Mark died in May of 2003 but his words andideas will help generations to come. You canfind his stuff in almost any library and manylibraries have the audio books, too. A quicklook at Half.com will find most of his audiosin like new condition for a fraction of thecost. Many times you will be given a choice ofMark's audio books, abridged or unabridged.For years I didn't much care one way oranother until I listened to Stephen King onCD telling me why I should only chooseunabridged. Sure it takes longer, but you getthe drift of the author's thoughts entirely,not just some of them chosen by an unseeneditor. Chose unabridged and go the extramile is possible. Here is a partial list of audio books andCD's by Mark McCormack that I highlyrecommend What They Don't Tech You at the HarvardBusiness School What They STILL Don't Tech You at the HarvardBusiness School On Selling The 110% Solution The Terrible Truth About Lawyers:How Lawyers Really Work and How to Deal WithThem Successfully Hit the Ground Running: The Insider's Guideto Executive Travel Staying Street Smart in the Internet Age Never Wrestle with a Pig: And Ninety OtherIdeas to Build Your Business For more BIG ideas on business get my article"Voice Mail Can Be Your Buddy"Send a blank eMail to theMailTo:VoiceMail@BigIdeasGroup.com If you take my advice and listen to MarkMcCormack for the first time, I would like tohear your opinion and reaction.MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com ©2005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights ReservedMike@BIGIdeasGroup.comBIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and SmallBusiness Consultant with over 30 years experience,http://BIGIdeasGroup.com Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" NewsletterMailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net
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