10 Things that Entrepreneurs

Can Learn from Kiteboarding

Nathan Manning Twitter: @nathanmanning

LinkedIn: bit.ly/nathanmanning

A lack of preparation will get you hurt

• Success in kiteboarding and in

business requires a respect for the

fundementals

• Take the time upfront to define your

strategy, plan for emergencies, and

check your equipment

• This is the only way that you can

enjoy the ride safely

But, don’t wait for perfect information to get started • Don’t wait for «Perfect conditions»

• Once you learn the fundamentals

and do your safety checks, get in the

water and start learning

• Success in both fields comes from

trying new things, getting feedback,

and applying learning to improving

Experience is more important than equipment • You don’t need the latest or most

expensive equipment to get started

• Do whatever it takes to get in the

water as soon as you can and let

your equipment grow with you

Don’t blame the wind, adjust to it • In business and in kiteboarding it is

easy to blame outside

cirsumstances for our failures

• Most of the time, poor planning is

to blame

• Learn to read the winds of your

market and you will find yourself

harnessing them rather than

fighting them

Overreactions cause crashes • Beginning kiteboarders often react

to a loss of control by pulling back

on the bar sharply, which only

makes the situation worse

• Learn to relax and observe when

unforseen circumstances threaten

your business

• A quiet dip in the water won’t ruin

your business... but overreacting at

the wrong time might

Harness the wind; don’t be blindly pulled by it • Immediate feedback and response

is key to controling your kite or your

business

• You can’t plan every movement in

advance, but, you can ensure that

you have systems in place to give

you ongoing information

• Follow your strategy, but, stay

flexible

Always have a backup plan (or 3) • Kiteboarders have a multi-stage

emergency response plan

• Make sure that you proactively

identify the biggest risks to your

business and determine how you

will respond if they occur

• Sort your risks into categories of

severity and have a response for

each

Make lots of small mistakes to avoid the big ones • Mistakes are critically important to

learning any new skill... including

entrepreneurship and kiteboarding

• But, that doesn’t mean that all

mistakes are created equal

• Know your limits and take a step-by-

step approach to your business

• Measure everything and build a

learning culture

Don’t go it alone

• Even the most advanced

kiteboarders are wise to ask a friend

to launch and land their kite

• Build a team of trusted partners and

advisors who can help you to

succeed

• Learn to delegate so that you can

focus on charting your company’s

course

Remember why you are doing this

• The road to mastery, in kiteboarding

and in business, is a long one

• Look for sources of inspiration

(friends and mentors) that keep you

motivated

• In business and in kiteboarding, if

you focus on your love of the sport,

the rest will take care of itself

Nathan Manning Twitter: @nathanmanning

LinkedIn: bit.ly/nathanmanning