Merge

Merge holds monthly internal lunch and learns that are run by a different employee each month. Erin Peckham headed up our February 2010 lunch and learn with "Becoming the Best: Lessons from 2010 Winter Olympic Athletes" where she looked at the qualities and traits of three Olympic champions.

What we learned was that each Olympian had their own story. They were normal like everybody else, and the three we looked at even had some pretty extraneous circumstances to overcome. But the three athletes had very similar qualities and traits to get to where they are:

• Focus
• Determination
• Dedication
• Discipline
• Sacrifice
• Vision
• Common Goal (with teammates)
• Perseverance
• Selflessness

To name a few. Then Erin flipped it on the Team: If we're striving to be the best Internet Marketing firm in Greenville, the Southeast or even the country--do we display these traits? It's not going to just happen. It's not going to happen between the hours of 8 - 5. To be the best, you have to be working with the best--those who portray those characteristics.

Think about your company. Are you an Olympian in your position, whatever that may be? Think about your organization's website. Would it win a Gold if it were judged today?

Merge now has a new internal tag line--"Is that Olympic?" Saying you want to be the best and actually carrying it out--in light of the traits listed above, are two completely different things, no?

Bottom Line: Being the best doesn't happen by accident--it's a very deliberate, hardworking, stand-out performance--every day. Are you an Olympian in what you do?

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