“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” Vince Lombardi
Welcome to the first edition of Business in the Heart of Florida. Here, I’ll share my story of what it took to build Gator Domino’s into the most dominate pizza brand in Gainesville and recognized as a premier franchise nationally and globally. With nine stores and more than 200 team members, we dominate a market that is generally accepted in the pizza industry as one of the most – if not the most – competitive pizza markets in the country.
Last week – and each and almost every week – about 28,000 people in Gainesville ate Domino’s Pizza. Statistically, that is one in five people. I’m very proud of this fact, not because of the obvious financial impact this has on our business, but because I know it did not happen by accident.
I’d like to share some of the principles and attributes I’ve learned along the way—principles that have helped me build a successful business. Some of the lessons come from the ultra successful businessmen and women I’ve been lucky enough to meet over the years. Others come from the many books and white papers I read. What I have distilled are the traits that separate the doers from the dreamers, the winners from the losers. Below are my favorite principles that have been tested in the trenches of my business. Most are stained with tomato sauce and soaked in sweat, but all are about winning.
- Winners have fire in their belly. They believe in their mission and trust their vision. They see far beyond the limits of the untrained eye. They pursue their goals with a contagious ferocity that attracts disparate energies, bridling them into a single unified force. I call this the “MAKE IT HAPPEN fuel.” They are totally focused, undaunted, confident and so purposeful that it is contagious.
- Winners are not afraid of the unknown, they embrace it. They are willing to follow the less-worn path—the path strewn with obstacles that must be overcome, if for no other reason but to simply get to the next obstacle. This is the simple fact that must not only be accepted, but also embraced. Booker T. Washington once said that, “Success is to be measured, not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” Winners look at roadblocks as learning tools and are able to overcome them because they are mentally strong.
- Winners are proactive, never reactive. They are always a step ahead. I have yet to meet a successful person who was “reactive.” NOT ONE! Winners know what they want out of life and understand the only way to accomplish their goals is through a type of strategic planning that creates continuous forward momentum. Continuous forward momentum never happens by accident; it must be carefully and strategically planned.
- Winners are positive and optimistic. They believe life is an attitude, and the better their attitude, the better their life. They understand that attitude is like any other skill; it must be creatively developed, methodically practiced and continually nurtured. They know how to “weed their garden,” by gently removing the negative people from their circle of friends and acquaintances.
- Winners never quit. They persevere and never give up. Defeat is not in their DNA, nor is it in their vocabulary, because they understand the power of words. They know setbacks are the fertilizer of future success. Lincoln, Princess Diana, Einstein, Spurrier, Mary Wise, Lombardi, Donovan and Urban Meyer all knew this.
Another great example is the leader of the Gator Nation, Jeremy Foley. As the athletic director for the Florida Gators Division I sports program at UF, his selection of great coaches has led to numerous national championships. Recently at the 2012 London Olympics, Gator athletes won 18 medals. As a matter of fact, if the Gator Nation was a country, it would have ranked 14th in the overall country standings. This is an amazing achievement, and it all comes down to the selection of great coaches who are accountable for winning. Yes, credit should go to the coaches and athletes but it all starts at the top, and when the leader selects the right coach or manager, amazing things happen—winning happens.
- Winners prepare more than you think—a lot more. Anticipation and preparation lead to better execution. Better execution leads to better outcomes. Winning takes preparation—thoughtful, careful preparation.
- Winners MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. They make their lives happen. They are quick to spot opportunities because their minds have been trained to look for them. Winners are not afraid to act, because they have trained themselves to overcome the fear that stops the average person. The legendary baseball personality Tommy Lasorda said, “There are three types of players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.”
- Winners acquire leadership skills because they understand that great leaders are made, not born. The truth is that leadership can be learned and is, in essence, the respect of others through the leader’s actions. Leaders and aspiring leaders intuitively understand the wisdom of the Drucker rule: “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results and actions.” They also believe that management is doing things right while leadership is doing the right thing.
- Winners love what they do and do what they love. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” goes the saying. Believe me, it’s true.
- Winners celebrate victories. Yes, they CELEBRATE their victories, and the victories of their team. They freely give credit to others. They know how to experience the joy of their success, as well as other’s. They believe in teamwork and incentives. They know that the carrot is mightier than the stick, and they work to make greatness achievable by all. Harry Truman said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
- Winners always give back to their communities. Time, talent, feedback, advice, treasure—a portion must always go back. The community will always support the businesses that support the community. Believe me I am blessed to know this firsthand.
- Winners believe in surrounding themselves with GREAT people. They look for the best and get rid of the rest. They read books, blogs and newspapers. They watch documentaries and study history. They listen, interview and brainstorm. They listen some more. They study every bright mind they come across, because they know it will improve every aspect of their life.
- Winners have the courage to act against an expert’s advice. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but think of how often the pundits are wrong—you only have to watch any football pregame show or a college preseason poll to know you should always take advice with a pinch of salt.
Winning is more than a mindset, it is a way of organizing your mind. Winners dream, plan and organize. They write their goals on paper and make themselves accountable. They know when to say NO, and they listen more than they talk. They adapt and innovate; they plan and execute. They communicate clearly. They do what they say they are going to do. They hate excuses and choose not to procrastinate. They welcome criticism, and above all, they cherish integrity. And lastly, they WIN.
Freddie Wehbe is the local owner of Gator Dominos; a nine-store franchise serving the greater Gainesville area. Freddie is married to Daurine and has two children, Ronnie and Dany. To learn more, visit www.gatordominos.com