Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs for erasing a 108-year drought of winning the World Series! Since 1908, generations of Cubs fans had to endure the depressed moniker of “Lovable Losers.” But, all of that frustration turned to joy after an incredible Game 7 that the Cubs won in extra innings, including an emotional rain delay at midnight.
During the Cubs championship parade in Chicago last Friday, one of the players made an interesting comment about their mindset during the pressure-filled playoffs. He said, “We didn’t worry about the outcome. Even when we got behind three games to one against the Cleveland Indians, we just kept believing in ourselves, our skills, and the type of good baseball we know we can play.”
That confident focus kept the Cubs players hopeful and poised even when their backs were against the wall. There’s marketing lesson here that we can learn, which is:
The way you process a defeat will directly affect your next attempt.
For example, if you try a marketing campaign and it flops, does it make you doubt your product or service? Do you begin to question your skills as a marketer?
Top management consultant, Alan Weiss, says, “The first sale is always to yourself.” In other words, you will find it hard to convince others to believe in your skills or buy your products if you’re not first convinced yourself.
The bottom line is that experiencing defeat is more than just acknowledging a loss. It is a critical moment when you determine the direction of your next step. If you believe in your marketing skills and the products your promote, then you can accept defeat, learn from the mistake, and say, “This lesson will make me wiser and more successful next time.”
I’m reminded of an axiom by Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, who said:
“Experience doesn’t make you wiser. Evaluated experience makes you wiser.”
When the Cleveland Indians hit an eight-inning home run to tie the World Series, the Cubs could have easily thought, “Oh no, here we go again. We’re about to lose another championship.” Instead, the team got together, reminded each other of their belief in their skills, and won the game in the 10th inning.
By the way, the Cleveland Indians who lost the World Series now own the longest running drought in baseball – 68 years without a championship. Their response to this defeat will directly affect the quality of next season.
Not all marketing ideas will work. Not all promotional campaigns will produce exciting results. Successful marketers aren’t perfect. But, when defeat occurs, they know their response will directly affect their next attempt.
So, how do you typically respond when a marketing activity doesn’t turn out as planned? Don’t label yourself a “lovable loser.” Instead, make the first sale to yourself, evaluate your experience, and position your next attempt to succeed.
