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What will happen if you aren't listed in the iStadia business directory?
Will you die a horrible death? No.
Will your business or professional practice go down the tubes? No.
But...
....you might miss out on potential leads, and therefore new business. Just because you didn't put a tick in the box......
Members, get listed on the business directory here (scroll down to the bottom of the page).
Non-members, sign up.
Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia
The psychology of the Premier League run-in: Some thoughts
This weekend Manchester United put themselves into pole position to retain their Premier League title after beating Liverpool 3-0. They are now five points ahead of Chelsea and six ahead of Arsenal, after Chelsea came back to defeat the Gunners.What can we expect of the run-in? What is the psychology involved? Well, as anyone credible will tell you, we're not in the business of mind reading, and the only way to know is to ask those involved, but here are my thoughts as an external observer.
Manchester United have players who have been there before, even among some of their younger players. Of course their manager, Alex Ferguson is also vastly experienced in handling these kind of situations, so it is hard to see them choking completely, particularly if they keep their minds firmly focused on the things that they need to do well to win their remaining games, and don't look too far ahead. The fact that they still have to play their two closest rivals is what keeps this race most interesting.
Mind you, I would be surprised if they didn't give their opponents even the smallest of opportunities to close the gap in the coming weeks. If they do, Chelsea should have confidence from great run of form and a squad that is back to full strength. It is often easier to chase than to be chased, and Chelsea might just relish being in this position. This weekend's game, should put questions over the ability of Avram Grant to one side, even if temporarily. Chelsea don't slip up much, and in this kind of tight situation, they will be well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities presented. Sometimes Chelsea seem to lack creativity and flair, but their solidity and strength wil count for a lot.
Arsenal looked well on course for the title just a couple of months ago, and (even if this is unfair on Man United) probably had the support of the football purists. However, a run of draws and defeat at Chelsea mean that they are now outside bets. Having arguably choked over recent weeks, Arsenal are back in a situation where the pressure is off. They are now the underdogs and might prefer it that way. It might just help them to remove the shackles and play as they did in the first half of the season - irresistably. Arsenal certainly shouldn't be written of yet.Of course, there's so many variables still at play. All three teams are still involved in the Champions League. All still have to play against teams that are fighting for their own suvival, and that can create unpredictable results. And key players could stil pick up injuries.
Would I bet against Manchester United? Probably not, but I still think the season's end could be a real cracker.
Rob Robson
Chartered Sport & Exercise PsychologistCo-founder of iStadia
Tiger Woods and Sport Psychology. One for all students and professionals, from the NY Daily Times
This is a cracking article on sport psychology, specifically on golf and Tiger Woods.
I came across this article thanks to Al Kornspan, who regularly posts "Sport Psychology in the News" on the sportpsy listserv, and the original source is from the New York Daily Times (author Hank Gola).
The full article is here:
Tiger Woods entering zone where few athletes have ever travelled.
What's really interesting to me is the that the basic tenet of the article is mental toughness but, as the sport psychologists will know, mental toughness still has many different definitions, although research is giving it more coherence.
Splattered with references and quotes from sport psychologists and golfers, it also talks about his sport psychologist (yes he uses one), has some reference to research intot he traits of pro golfers (personally, I like John Kenworthy's playing styles better :). It talks about his focus, playing in the moment, balance and versatility (which I think is key to mental toughness), emotional control, confidence and even Buddhist principles and Zen.
What this demonstrates to me is just how much interpretation there is in sport psychology. We can't just mechanically process "evidence" and all come out with the same conclusions (as anyone who has studied the philosophy of science will know - and if you haven't at all, shame on you!).Anyway, this should be a good resource for anyone running a course or module on sport psychology, trainining professionals, or simply to start a debate with yourself!
I'll end with a great Tiger quote from the article:
"It's something you have to find from within. You have to keep pushing yourself from within. It's not about what other people think and what other people say. It's about what you want to accomplish and do you want to go out there and be prepared to beat everyone you play or face."
Please share your thoughts and opinions with comments.Rob Robson
Sport Psychologist and Sports Management ConsultantSharing some of my learning about using the web for marketing....
So you have something to sell.. In the words of Shania Twain, "That don't impress me much". Whether you make things or sell services, you've get out there and create a "buzz" around your product or service. Unlike the corner shop, people aren't just going to walk up and buy from you. You need to get known. Clearly the web can really help with this.What do you do to make sure that people know about you?
You can set up your own website. That's great. But in the great ocean of other websites out there, how do you get found?
There are a number of things that you can do to get found on the web. People that create content will tell you that iStadia helps them to get noticed, but of course you should be trying to get your name, your business or your product on as many 'channels' or platforms as you can. So here are some ideas.
1) Add your business to online directories. There are many that are free. For example:
http://kyotee.co.uk/
http://www.uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk/
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/
Sometimes these will allow you to list your website for free, sometimes not. Sometimes you have to have a reciprocal link, sometimes not. Sometimes they generate traffic, sometimes not.
I'm not sure about them, but one directory you should really get listed on is dmoz.org, and another that is really useful (if you also put content up) is BT Tradespace.
(You'll notice that iStadia gives you a free link (in fact as many as you can be bothered to add, if you include your profile, blogs, articles, news, clubs, events and even forums).
2. Blog (and News)
Whether you blog here or elsewhere, blogging creates traffic. Put clear links to where you want potential customers to go, and some of them will. If there's nothing there, there's nothing to follow. Likewise, Google will pick it up as a link and it will help you to rank better (especially if you are using keywords).
3. Articles
Articles work like blogs, but have greater permanence. Blogs tend to be 'of a moment'. Sometimes you want to show that you have a lot of knowledge, which makes you more credible - either as a professional service provider, or as a the maker of a product, it's better that people think you knwo what you're talking about, right?
4. Press Releases
There are a number of free and cheap onine press release sites around now. For example:
http://www.free-press-release.com/
http://www.freepressreleases.co.uk/
http://www.prlog.org/
Online press releases can be great because a) you can reach journalists looking for a story and b) your press release gets listed on places like Google News, and can create more valuable backlinks to your site.
5. Create a 'lens' about your product or area of interest on Squidoo.
6. Create a page on Facebook. No, not your own profile, but a page. Tell all of your friends about it and invite them to become 'fans'. Of course, embed links to your site.
7. Go onto other popular blogs and forums, and leave comments - of course making sure that you can link back.
8. Whenever you can, add any of your content to social networking sites such as
Digg
Delicious
Stumbleupon
Most of them have toolbar wdigets to make life easier. On iStadia, you can bookmark any blog or article by choosing 'Add This' at the bottom of the article or blog.
There are many other things to do (feel free to add more as comments), but the most important thing is that you are out there, using the web actively to promote yourself. Otherwise, it's like opening a shop in the middle of knowhere then expecting walk-in trade.
Oh, and finally, don't be shy about duplicating content in many sources. It isn't like school, where you'd be told off. Google don't like it when you duplciate whole sites, but articles and blogs - no problem, it can only help.
If you find this helpful, please think about creating a links to your iStadia profile or content, as well as to your own site.
Rob Robson
Sport and Business Psychologist, WarwickshireMichael Vaughan: The cricket captain who only needs two short phrases
After another post-collapse radio interview, I'm convinced that Michael Vaughan, the England cricket captain, only ever has to say two things (at least after a first test, or most one-day matches):1) "It's unacceptable"
2) "we have to bounce back"
After that, it's only variations on a theme.
What is wrong with the England cricket team that they just don't learn?
Rob Robson
Sport and Business Psychologist, WarwickshireWho supports the head coach?
I write this after meeting my second head sports coach or team manager this week, and hearing about the pressure that they are under, the responsibility that they take on to deliver results and to support a team of paid or volunteer coaches, and having to deal with committees, governing bodies and parents.Head coaches of sports teams of all shapes and sizes will recognise many of these. They'll also recognised the unsociable nature of the job - often working when peers are not, and not when their peers are (or just working all of the time). It can be quite isolating, as it can being in charge of any organisation.
Not surprisingly, being a sports coach can be something of a love/hate affair. Most are in it because they are passionate about the sport, but that passion can be hard to maintain when work is stressful.
In sport, the athletes get the most attention, and rightly so. But coaches often lack opportunities to refresh or develop their knowledge and skills, and the head coach arguably gets the least. They are expected to be the ones that know what to do. But we all need to learn and improve.
Many senior managers in the business world have an executive coach, because they don't have the support of colleagues or a line manager that lower level employees do. This tells us that no matter how good we are, most of us need help sometimes.
A sport psychologist with the right kind of experience, or perhaps a peer - a head coach from another sport, or other senior practitioner can provide that kind of support. Someone that can listen, support and, importantly challenge your ideas, perceptions, beliefs and actions. Someone that will call it like it is, hold a mirror up to you, however you want to express it.
All high performance clubs or programmes should incorporate some form of support for their head coach or performance manager/director. Nationally funded programmes can offer this, but what about the rest?
Don't try and do everything on your own. Whether you seek an external professional, or simply develop mutually supportive relationships outside of your own sport is up to you. Just do it...
