We’ve heard about how poorly the motorcycle manufacturers are doing these days. Sales and profits are down, some plants are in danger of closing and now dealers with multiple dealerships in one city are being asked to consolidate into one location. They say it’s because ‘discretionary spending’ is down.

When did owning a motorcycle become discretionary??

As American as entrepreneurship, I argue that owning a motorcycle is vital to an entrepreneur’s long -term business success. I learned many years ago that the skills and techniques necessary to be a successful biker directly transfer into my daily business life.  Here’s my List of 5 reasons why:

1.  Running a business is one long road trip – The first thing bikers learn is how to get from here to there safely and successfully.  We know how to select the right destination, plot out the right course to get there and prepare for the unexpected.  We know how to overcome adversity along the way whether it’s bad weather (the economy), poor road conditions (market fluctuations), or crazy cagers (competitors). 

After all, both biking and business are nothing more than vehicles designed to take us where we want to go…one physically – the other economically. 

2.  Sharpens your focus – Biking and business both require that we assume reasonable and controllable risk.  And that if not ridden properly…can cause severe damage to you. Therefore, staying upright requires awareness, timing, and a keen ability to sift through the background noise and BS that surrounds you. 

So the lesson here is not about overcoming fear, but instead understanding and embracing it. Because riding scared is a fast ticket to the hospital and you darned sure can’t run a company scared and be successful.

3.  You get to hang out with real people – Bikers and entrepreneurs are a similar and bold lot – we’re independent, adventurous, strong-willed, and utterly intolerant of fences. Go to any biker hangout and you’ll see business leaders and professionals sitting next to mechanics, carpenters and real life bikers.

We come together to celebrate the culture of riding…we come to exercise our passion. And we come together to have the type of real-life, no BS conversations that can only happen between two people with nothing to gain but an honest point of view.  When’s the last time that’s happened at some flipping Chamber of Commerce meeting? 

4.  It re-charges your passions – Passion is the fuel of desire.  When that desire is properly channeled you achieve excellence. For an entrepreneur, this passion is fired up by the jazz you can only get when putting yourself ‘out there. On a bike, it’s about feeling the crisp air while navigating the winding roads…in business it’s the winding roads of the marketplace.  

At the end of the day, happiness comes when we turn our passion into performance.

5.  It’s a total attitude adjustment – Ask any entrepreneur who rides and we’ll all say the same thing – we ride to get away from it all for a while.  We do some of our best thinking in the saddle because our synapses are popping right along with that V-twin.  Riding an open road seems to charge our brain impulses with an even hotter spark as the sights, sounds and smells combine to rev up all the senses.  

That’s why I’d rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about my business instead of sitting in an office thinking about my motorcycle!

That’s my list…what do you think?  Let me know if you have any other reasons.

D

Dwain – The BusinessBiker

As always – This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you.  WWW.BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com

Stumble it!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS