QUALIFIED @ IRONMAN TAIWAN 2016 (M30-34)

RACE PREPARATION BLOG 

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VIDEO WEEK 3 LINK




WEEK 3

Preparation took a slight deviation via the porcelain bus on Friday afternoon which had me in the fetal position on Saturday.  That said, I think at one stage on Saturday I put my runners on for a light jog, but dizziness at the front gate had me back in the horizontal position pretty quickly.  Hard to make back a Saturday session, as age groupers we typically 'load up' on weekends to get some mileage in, so a lost Saturday is like losing 2 weekdays, but alas that's gone now.  Nonetheless a solid week of training, with a light Sunday has me ready to go for another week.  

I mentioned briefly in the week 3 video and last week about partnerships with brands.  For me, there are some fundamental aspects for these relationships to succeed.  

1. How long have you been using the product or service, and if the partnership ended on good terms, would you continue to use the product or service?  

BMC - Rode BMC for 4 years prior to partnership
International Protein - Used their supplements for 3 years prior to partnership
2XU - Used for over 6 years prior to partnership
TrainingPeaks - Used for 2 years prior to partnership
SportsMyo - Been seeing Toby exclusively for treatment for over 2 years prior to partnership.

Every single one of these partners would still have my support if the commercial relationship was to cease tomorrow on good terms.  I'd still ride a BMC, consume International Protein, wear 2XU, use TrainingPeaks and see Toby.  Why?  Cause they're the best at what they do.  Hands down.  

2.  Expect nothing when asking the question.  What can you do for them?  Any good operator understands the nature of a successful relationship, let them, when ready, if ever, extend the olive branch.  Cracking the door is the hardest part.

3.  Once in partnership, keep the dialogue open and flowing.  Whomever you're dealing with within the company are busy (aren't we all), don't expect them to send you an email to see how you're going or touch base. The onus is on you. Send a brief email once a month or 6 weeks with a little update or where you are at.  Not a "brag fest", just a "we're all good".  

4.  Runs on the Board.  Talk is cheap, if you promise the world, you will not deliver and both sides of the partnership will be very disappointed.  Brand Managers, Business Owners and Marketing Managers have heard it all before, been let down or been occasionally surprised. Most of the decision makers in partnerships have a sales background, and having worked in sales and marketing myself there's an old saying about 'bullsh$%ing a bullsh*&ter'.   

5. Credibility.  Alarm bells ring to me when on someones insta in one week there saying 'these are the best knicks I've ever worn', then 6 months later 'these are the best knicks I've ever worn', or one year someone is riding the best TT bike they've ever ridden, but then a better offer comes along.  No doubt, sometimes something better does come along, but if you're changing your stripes every year, then it just becomes a 'cash for comment'.

There are probably a dozen points to make here, so these are just a few.  Don't do the scatter gun approach, go with brands you truly believe in.  

It's so cliche, but whats the worst that could happen, they say no?  


TOTAL FORECAST TSS 2396
ACTUAL TSS 2083
NET TSS (313)

@ 86%