In football as in every sports discipline, the start of a new season heralds a start of a long race. A race characterized by an ambition to succeed and attain better results than last season for some, for others to evade relegation, and most to perform better than their rivals.
Our partners, Manchester City have been preparing for the upcoming season after an exciting and hugely successful previous season retaining the EFL, winning the English Premier League, and being runners-up in the UEFA Champions League. However, what does it take to prepare to defend a title? The Manchester City pre-season preparation has also been full of lessons that we can apply to direct selling and our QNET journey.
How do you prepare for a new season?
Here are a few ways our Partners are preparing for the new season:
- Transfers
This is basically acquiring and bringing in new players to bolster the squad. As part of the season’s preparations, Manchester City has been heavily linked to Tottenham’s talisman Harry Kane and Bayern Munich’s striker Robert Lewandowski.
Manchester City has acquired the services of Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish on a six-year deal on the back of a successful season 2019/2020. Pep Guardiola has been a long-time admirer of Grealish with the player leaving Villa having made 213 appearances throughout eight seasons, scoring 32 goals. Man City also confirmed Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by the departure of QNET’s beloved Sergio Aguero.
In direct selling just like in football, preparation is important. Doing your homework, market research, legwork, and getting your know-how are important aspects of every professional endeavour, but getting started in direct sales requires copious amounts of homework on your part to achieve any form of success.
- Pre-season Matches and Training
Its importance cannot be emphasized enough, this allows players to build on their fitness levels mostly after some time off after the end of a season. The benefits range from improved player fitness, enough time for newly signed players to gel with teammates, building fan excitement for the new season, accessing players back from injury, etc.
Manchester City ended pre-season with a 100% record after a convincing 4-1 victory over Blackpool at the Academy Stadium. Pre-season provides adequate time for goal setting building towards a 40 week season of a tough season.
In direct selling goal setting provides for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. If goals are not time-bound, then the whole process is rendered useless. Direct sellers have daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly targets for a reason – to foster the growth and development of both the individual and the company. Goals achieved in the right timeframe can become the stepping stone for bigger and long-term goals.
- Renewals and Contract Extensions
It is important to ensure your star players’ contracts are up to date and those whose contracts are about to lapse, reaffirm their commitment to the club. Man City centre midfielder, Fernandinho agreed to a contract extension at the Etihad Stadium. The Brazilian committed his future to Manchester City for another 12 months, as confirmed by the club. Other notable players that City will look to renew their contracts are Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson.
Contract renewals and extensions require closing, selling the long or short-term visions of the club to the player afresh, and showing them their contribution and importance in achieving that goal.
An important rule of direct selling is ABC: Always Be Closing. Never forget your primary goal – selling products. So, when you meet someone or socialise amongst your network, don’t forget to mention your business. Every place can be a place of business if you play your cards right. By checking the crowd’s pulse and finding the right environment, you can convert many leads into potential buyers.
QNET has supported different types of sports through the years, not just because it helps us share our brand with a wider audience, but also because we recognize the similarities between sports and entrepreneurship. Hard work, commitment, teamwork, and focus — these are traits that one needs to succeed, both in business and in sports. Join us in wishing Manchester City all possible success in the new season by writing your words of encouragement in the comment section below!
