What Tom Brady and Buddy Rich Can Teach Us About Sales Efficiency
As I said in my previous article, Maximizing Sales Efficiency, efficiency is more than performing a task quickly while minimizing waste. It’s getting the best result in the shortest time using the least resources. Efficiency separates those who are good at something from the all-time greats. It’s a mindset, a way of analyzing and approaching an action or activity to get the best result. We’re all familiar with efficiency in the workplace. Using efficiency metrics as KPIs for measuring performance is commonplace for many organizations. It’s not a new concept, but what we can learn from looking at efficiency in other activities can be surprising. Efficiency of Motion Efficiency of Motion is a basic principle - use the smallest movement to achieve the desired result. The goal is to limit wasted energy. We can see this in many forms. Athletic Prowess Have you ever watched a pro athlete perform? Think about a quarterback scrambling from a blitzing linebacker. This is a high-pressure situation, and the quarterback will analyze every step. Each movement is planned in anticipation of what opposing players might do. One misstep, a wasted motion, will be impossible to recover from, and the quarterback is sacked. If they remain efficient with each movement, the chances of saving the play amplify. Turning the scramble into a completed pass can be the difference between winning and losing. Efficient motion is fundamental to this accomplishment. We can witness this in any sport: Tennis, baseball, golf, and even curling. Optimal results occur by not wasting motion. Virtuoso Mastery An awe-inspiring guitar solo can send chills down your spine. The musician behind the solo isn't only a master of the instrument but a master of efficiency as well. An exceptional guitarist plans all their hand movements to minimize required motion to move from one note to the next. A great drummer knows how to maximize the impact of each movement. Efficiency is the only way to move around the drum kit quickly. Understanding stick control, rebound, and how to redirect energy with small gestures is essential. A wrist or finger movement is exponentially more efficient than moving the arm from the shoulder or elbow.
