Tony Knopp’s Post

What life lesson did I learn from reading an article about Travis Kelce in The Wall Street Journal?? I learned a better way to articulate a life view that I have had forever... that there are two types of people in the world...people that bring energy to a room when they enter it and people that suck the energy out of that same room. In the article, it was articulated much better..."Everybody you will meet in the world is either a fountain or a drain." If you are a "fountain"...you will add energy, happiness and goodness to a situation. If you are a "drain,"...you will make all of that go down the drain at any given moment. Now, we are not only one or the other all of the time and I have definitely been a drain before - you can never be happy and positive all of the time - but I have learned that you can definitely choose sometimes to be one or the other. So, try and be a fountain as much as you can, surround yourselves with as many fountains as possible and choose to be a fountain when it is a choice. Fill up the cups of all of the people that mean something to you in life, don't be the hole at the bottom of that cup that makes it leak. Fill up those fountains as much as you can as we all have to deal with drains - there is no way around it! Happy Friday! #sponsorship #sportsbiz #marketing #sportsbusiness #partnership #sports #activation #linkedinsports #sportsmarketing #marketing #business #sportssponsorship #fandom #motivation #advice #businessadvice #business101 #businessandmanagement #management #traviskelce

Post No 6 in the series: RenuMattoo@Random ETIQUETTE AND FOUL PLAY ON THE GOLF COURSE I happened to meet a CEO, an avid golfer. I said I believe that golf is a good walk ruined by a small white ball! He laughed and said, “Actually, what ruins this sport of gentlemen and gentleladies, is poor etiquette and foul play on the green!“ I asked for some examples. 1. Golf is a game of concentration. But some golfers allow their cell phones to ring shrilly and have loud, lengthy conversations on it. This disturbs others teeing off.   2. Some players behave as if they are at a football match! They cheer good shots, and laugh raucously! They forget to keep noise levels down.  3. They behave offensively and curse loudly if they lose a ball or it falls into a water or sand hazard. Some even throw their club out of frustration. 4. Worse, they take long to hunt for lost balls, delaying players behind them. Ideally, they should signal the players following them to go through, so that the game proceeds at a fair pace. Instead of walking briskly, some saunter through.  5. They forget to shout `Fore’ to warn others that a long shot is likely to come their way. This is vital to ensure the safety of other golfers. 6. Some actually borrow clubs, balls and tees from other players. This hassles others and delays the game. 7. It is bad manners to reserve a tee-off time, and then reach late. As a rule, I arrive with at least 30 minutes to spare. 8. It is sad to see how some golfers ruin the course. They can’t help it if the hob nails of their shoes create small depressions in the green, but they can surely replace the turf that is torn up by the club when hitting a ball. They do not bother to rake the sand smooth in the bunker after their shot. They litter the course. I have actually seen players run their golf carts on the grass rather than on the cart paths. 9. They do not bother to tip their caddies, nor the waiters who serve them. 10. Most golf clubs have fairly strict dress codes. Yet, instead of collared shirts, and knee-length shorts or full pants, players wear sleeveless or collarless T-shirts, and mid-thigh shorts. Women are expected to dress in knee-length skirts, and full trousers. Ideally one is expected to wear golf shoes with soft spikes, and hats to keep the sun out of their eyes. I said, “These indeed show poor golf etiquette, but how can anyone cheat at golf?” He said, “You would be surprised!” 1. Players make false entries in their score cards to show improvement in their game or handicap.  2. Some do not adhere to the rules for penalty drops. They furtively drop the ball closer to the hole than allowed. 3. While a mulligan is a permitted extra shot after a bad play, players take extra shots, but do not count them. 4. They stealthily kick or nudge the ball closer to the hole. He ended with: Such behaviour destroys what could be a pleasant and positive experience on the golf course.  Request golfers to add their experience to this piece.

Despite my best efforts, I've never caught the golf bug. Nonetheless, I have immense respect for the game—arguably, it is the most challenging sports in the world to master. I admire Tiger's relentless ambition and his mindset of continual improvement, even at the height of his career. From Tiger's approach, we can extract valuable business lessons, notably the importance of being willing to "change your swing" even at the top of your profession. I explore this comparison in the latest issue of The Sports Life. -Alan Arlt https://lnkd.in/g6PFa7pZ #tigerwoods #sports #mindset

In addition to being Father's Day (and the US Open), it was my 12-year-old's first PGA Jr. League golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and my only disappointment was that my husband was stuck in NJ and couldn't be with us today. Watching my kid grapple with the new feelings of what it's like to play under pressure (with a bit of an audience) reminded me of the similar feelings we encounter in the business world – pitching new clients, delivering presentations, or proposing bold ideas. It can be nerve-wracking! But the beauty of golf, just like a strong marketing strategy, is the chance to course-correct and try again. Some days, your shot finds the perfect fairway lie. Other times, well, things get a little rough (literally). Keeping composed and having a positive attitude enables you to let go of the last shot and set up your next with a fresh perspective for a chance to try again. This is also what I love about coming in to help a client with their marketing strategy. Sometimes, we inherit a winning strategy and need to maintain momentum. Other times, we face challenges and need to strategize, adapt, and execute flawlessly. Here's where experience and discipline come into play, guiding our decisions while considering the competition, the environment, and all the micro-factors that shape success. The marketing game, like golf, is all about resilience and adaptation. If you're ready to tee off on your next marketing challenge, reach out. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and hope you got a round in, if golf is your game. #marketingstrategy #fathersday #golfandbusiness

I just saw a sticker on a car that said: Less Is More When We Share. It took one second to read that sticker but the impact will last a lifetime as I thought about collaboration over competition. For some reason we tend to believe that there is scarcity everywhere we look and that we have to get ours before 'they' get it. I don't think this is true and I think that this hinders more than helps a company be successful. I interviewed Jonathan Levitt for a feature on the Run Tri Bike site despite the fact that he has the For The Long Run podcast and we are both trying to secure sponsorships with brands. Guess what happened when we shared his story? The number of followers on our social platforms jumped which allows us to present those numbers to brands. He has a story from another publication to showcase to the sponsors he is trying to secure. That's a win for both of us. Competition is all around us, but so is collaboration. You can go further and do more when you work with others which is why I will always take the time to chat with people in our space. They will teach me lessons I had not considered which can propel my company forward. The next time you have an opportunity to collaborate with somebody.....take it or at least consider it. Think about the successes before turning it down right away. Here is the article that came from my conversation with Jonathan: https://lnkd.in/gg7tjFcj

The Hidden Battle in Professional Golf 🏌️♂️⛳️ We often think of professional athletes as having it all - fame, fortune, and a charmed life. But what if I told you that even the pros face their fair share of mental health struggles? 💔 In a thought-provoking article, Golf Digest dives into the growing conversation around mental health in the world of golf. One golfer that has been in the spotlight recently is Matthew Wolff, who courageously shared his own experiences. 🏆 The article sheds light on the immense pressure that tour pros like Wolff face, constantly being evaluated and seeking external rewards. This relentless pursuit of success can take a toll on their mental well-being, leading to decreased enjoyment of the sport and even self-medication to cope with anxiety. It's a stark reminder that being rich and famous doesn't shield anyone from the challenges of mental health. But there is hope! The PGA Tour recognizes the importance of mental well-being and offers valuable resources to support players in their journey. 🙌 We also hear from other athletes who have found ways to maintain balance and improve their mental well-being. From tackling the stigma around psychotropic medication to creating safe spaces for open dialogue, these athletes are leading the way in taking care of their mental health. And let's not forget Matthew Wolff, who is making strides in prioritizing his happiness and well-being. His journey serves as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us that mental health is just as important as physical health. So, let's keep the conversation going and support athletes in their battle against mental health challenges. Together, we can create a healthier, more compassionate sporting world. #MentalHealthMatters #AthletesSpeakUp #GolfersUnite #WellbeingInSports https://lnkd.in/eiJ6EJxE

For the last 2 weeks, Olympic fever has gripped our house. We are a sporty household anyway but to see the best in the world completing at a vast range of sports has been fantastic. But what do all those sports have in common and what to do you need to comply with to take part? Rules. Rules about how to take part. Rules about what you can consume, drink or take as an athlete. Rules about what times, distance or capabilities you must have to even be selected to represent your country at the Olympics. Without all these rules, the Olympics would not be the phenomenal world class event that they are. Without these rules there would not be any fairness or consistency in how people prepare or take part. Without these rules, winning medals would not have the status or stature that they should (and may not mean the best in the world want to compete in them). So the same applies to rules in your firm, whether they be from HR, Senior Leadership or Compliance. They are there to provide a framework, create a culture, create consistency in behaviours and ultimately make your firm one that people want to work for, work with and support. If you want to win in business (and avoid hefty fines). You need to follow the rules. P.S. I have decided that if I want to be in the Olympics now, I am off to learn how to fire a air pistol 10m, if a guy with no equipment bar a gun and some rubber ear plugs, with his hand his pocket can win silver, there is hope for us all….(though fear there is a massive amount of skill in it, which definitely at this moment I do not have!).

It is summer. There is no question about it. We have the heat, festivals, golf outings, and summer storms to prove it. It is easy this time of year to go from meeting to event, seemingly ad infinitum. Read more on this blog here:

Hi... I'm not someone who tends to share much and definitely not irrelevant "commercial" witterings, but....as a typical UK rugby fan, I have always perceived American Football to be the lesser of the two sports with all their armour and helmets. I have to say the two recent documentary series, Quarterback and Receiver have really caught my eye (pardon the pun) and spirit and changed my perception. Yeah, these guys get paid massive (ridiculous) figures, but, when you think these are people 30 years and younger, where life can be taken away at a blink of an eye, either through injury or simply because they don't "cut it" then one has to admire them, especially their levels of enthusiasm, focus, and comradeship. What really struck me was the "emotion" within the two series and the insight into Team: "Spirit", "Determination", "Tenacity", "Dedication", "Vulnerability", "Support" and the overarching value to "Family". If these things interest you then I suggest you try to find the time to watch them. Hey, as a Brit, the crazy high-five routines, accompanied by what I class as Dad-dances, I find amusing with maybe a touch of jealousy 🤷🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤙, but the energy, the belief, the commitment and the drive is something we could / should all take note of... I'm not suggest we all dance around when we finish building an event, or try and continue even when our elbow is jutting out of our t-shirt, but if that level of energy from the area of support through to the task of final delivery could be translated across industries then I think it would be amazing. admittedly, I still haven't got a clue how American Football works, and I'm definitely not going to sign up to NFC or AFC subscription, but it's definitely not "The Lesser Sport" anymore. Apologies if you find this post irrelevant, but sometimes things which you felt had no meaning, suddenly shine a light...so I think it's worth sharing... Have a great day 🤩

Switching Off By Carlo Ancelotti Part 1 I have to admit to being a little obsessive , but this is true of most successful people - especially professional athletes. How else can you explain the hours and hours of repetitive practice needed to be of the required technical standard , and that's before the hours needed to understand the game , to manage the game. I am obsessive about order. Everything for me is tidy and organized. Even things like my clothes - I know exactly where my white shirts are , my blue shirts. The little details - they are all in order. I get this from being with the priests , when i lived at the college at Parma. I had a tiny room , so I had to be organized. I am still obsessive and it is still all about the game. For me , money is not so important as long as I have enough not to worry. Zlatan and I would often sit and talk about how we got to where we are. We are both from poor backgrounds and find it difficult to believe we are wealthy enough not to worry. When I read that some managers insist on being the highest paid at the club - higher even than all the players - I am surprised. I’ve never insisted on that. I’ve accepted that as a manager you can always find a player who earns more than you , because .... let’s face it , the players are more important than you. 😂😂😂😂😂 Which person in football thinks that the manager is more important than the players ? There is not one. The supporters think that the players are the most important , the president thinks the same , and the players - they certainly know that they are the most important. The only time the manager is the most important for everyone is when the team is losing. The manager is only important when there needs to be someone to blame. People have said to me , ‘Why would you pay a player more than you earn ?’ For me , money is not the key driver ; success drives me. So it’s simple. If I am to be successful then I need the best players , and if the best players cost more than I do , I want them playing for me. I’m actually being selfish , really , not nice. The president of Roma back when I was playing , Dino Viola said to me , ‘It’s not important what you earn , it’s important what you save ; but remember , the more you earn , the more you will be respected.’ This last bit he added only after he’d negotiated my first contract with me , of course. With all the demands on my time - to deal with the players , the game , the people at the club , the media , the latest developments and the opposition - and the pressures in the game - to get results , play attractive football and keep my job - there is a lot , you might imagine , to keep me up at night. Earlier in my career it was true: I would stay awake agonizing over decisions- that’s my obsessive nature again. But now I’m able to switch off well.