"Marginal Gains" (That Drive MASSIVE Long-Term Success) -- LESSONS for Entrepreneurs

Last week in San Francisco, I attended an event hosted by British broadcasting giant SKY -- an event that featured Sir Dave Brailsford, Manager of the "Team Sky" professional cycling team, as the speaker.  Why Brailsford and why Team Sky for this tech-driven/digital media event?

Here's why -- the concept (and results) of "marginal gains." (For those of you entrepreneurs who have ADD and want to get to the "lessons" learned from this philosophy, skip to the bottom).

THAT was the core theme of Brailsford's fascinating discussion.


Using British cycling as the backdrop, Brailsford laid out British cycling success (or massive lack thereof) before he joined as manager and implemented his "marginal gains" commitment and strategy -- a strategy that looks at every single detail related to cycling and seeks to improve upon each of them on the margin in order to make realistic and demonstrable steady, incremental gains which -- over time -- offer the real possibility of massive gains and success (rather than improbably shoot for such success in one or more giant leaps).  One example (just one) of the myriad he offered -- his supporting team would arrive in advance at hotels in which his riders would stay during riding events and "fit" each room with individually customized mattresses so that each cyclist would be slightly more rested than otherwise.  Brailsford also identified exciting new technologies that keep British cycling on the forefront of innovation (and ultimately performance).  That's why he was in SF at the time, in fact.

In all the years before Brailsford led British cycling, no British rider had won the Tour de France (and only 1 Olympic medal had been won in scores of Olympic years).  But, after Brailsford joined and implemented his "marginal gains" philosophy and strategy -- and recruited riders who internalized this strategy and shared his absolute commitment to it -- Britain achieved success after success in the international arena.  Case in point -- Brailsford-led British riders won both the 2012 and 2013 Tour de France.

Lessons for all entrepreneurs?

(1) Aim high -- very!  Set audacious goals!
(2) Find team players who share that passion and absolute commitment to achieve those goals (and get rid of those who don't ... fast!)
(3) But, be realistic of how to get from here to there -- implement a strategy of incremental, measurable and continuous gains/"wins" (and communicate these tangible wins to boost morale)
(4) No detail is too small -- be relentless in your pursuit of greatness and challenge yourselves to do more than others are willing to do
(5) Drive innovation, don't follow it -- commit to being on the bleeding edge of new technology and be open-minded to experiment

Well said Dave Brailsford, well said ....