On this episode Joe, Mikey D & Drew discuss with great experience and humor, the flaw of the Annual Membership and what to do if you want your course not just survive but thrive…

First of all, we are not referring to a Private Club. The Not So Silent Business Killer, The Annual Membership is the failed business model that many public golf courses create and offer due to a lack of marketing expertise or trying to mimic the failing or barely solvent course down the street. The problem with this membership product and/or business model is that it entitles the golfer (member) primetime inventory, unlimited access to other profit centers (range, f and b etc..) and access to share or even demand the way the course should be managed and marketed, AT A ROCK BOTTOM PRICE!!! In addition, when calling them “members” it empowers them to dominate the time and energy of the entire management and front-line service team. Hence, no one is focusing on acquiring new customers or providing memorable service to the other customers playing their course. The problem is not the “member” it is the product and/or business model. The sure way to fail is to give all your prime inventory, attention, and energy to a group that pays the least. One consistent challenge with all the courses we have helped that had an Annual Membership product is that their average green fee was at least 50% lower than their daily fee guest. If you are going to do an Annual Membership at a low price, make it only valid in your off-peak times and use the creative strategies we share to fill the prime time with new high paying customers…

Enjoy the episode and Hope We Make You Smile

One of the reasons that so many golf courses (and other businesses) never maximize their success, or even fail, is the lack of what we call Operational Leadership. On this episode, Joe, Mikey and Drew discuss Operational Leadership and why it is so important to have your property not just survive, but thrive. Operational Leadership is different than Management, and most operators don’t understand the difference. You manage budgets, schedules, inventory, systems, and processes, but who “Leads” the team and guest experience???

In the golf business, the more you move up or get promoted, typically you become less and less engaged or even aware of the daily operation and the more you manage the things shared above. This combined with a complete lack of training, prioritizing, and accountaability with your front-line team will leave our guest experience, team morale, and property's success left to chance.

When implementing Operational Leadership, your property will have a designated team member that has been trained, inspired, and even rewarded to take full responsibility for the guest experience (first tee pairing, presentation, spacing), pace of play (directing and communication with LOD) service, smiles and sales along with team morale and efficiency.

Management is important, but without Operational Leadership, you won’t have anything to manage. Enjoy the episode and please share you thoughts on our FB or IG pages. Hope We Make You Smile… "

This episode is much different than previous ones. On this episode, Joe, Mikey D, Drew along with special guests Janai Porman and Ryan Barmore share their stories on how their parents sacrifice and commitment led them to not only a career in golf but many amazing memories. Although all their stories and path to the golf business are a little different, they all share the loss and loving memory of a father or mother that led them to the game.

This episode is a tribute to their parents along with the many other parents and people that made the commitment and sacrifice to introduce the game of golf to someone that needed some hope, joy and opportunity.

Knowing how big of an impact the game of golf has had in their lives, The Golf Biz team along with Dobson Ranch Golf Course and Action Golf Cars have launched the Pops & Jr. Youth Golf Program. The program is going to introduce golf, bring smiles and create opportunity for kids that may not have the opportunity or resources. Enjoy and please share your story how the game of golf has had a positive impact in your life or a loved on that made it possible.

On this episode Joe, Mike D. & Drew discuss the Golf Business’s most overused and misunderstood buzz words along with its dumbest policies. Full disclosure, we are guilty of using some buzz words to sound smarter. However, we feel that the golf business as a whole takes buzz words from other industries and preach the words/strategies but really have no idea on how to implement or even understand. Also, we go on a rant on how historical dumb policies in the golf business are going to hurt more than ever if they don’t shift to a customer-focused business model and culture. Stay tuned and I promise you will enjoy, or at least have a laugh.

First, the term Operational Influencer is a Paradigm “OG”. In this episode Joe, Mikey D and Drew discuss the difference between an Operational Influencer and a “Celebrity” Influencer Along with how an Operational Influencer can get your property the edge it needs to get customers' attention, make smiles, gain market share and crush your competition. Traditional golf course managers and marketers try to separate their course or experience by showcasing the signature hole or that their service is really good, blah, blah, blah. Although we agree good course conditions and service are really important, you need to make your team leader the face of the property and the voice of your brand. Someone that can make your customers (celebrities) smile, get your followers to take action and grow your profit centers through creative influence. It’s more about the quality than the quantity of your followers..

Let’s be real, the golf business has always been way behind when it comes to marketing, innovation, and creativity. On this episode, Joe, Mikey D, Drew along with special guest Josh Hill breakdown the good, the bad and the really ugly of golf course marketing. Josh Hill is currently VP of Brandlync, a very successful and innovative Ad Agency that has been a huge help to our company and properties. Earlier in his career, Josh was a marketing executive for Walters Golf for 15 years and will share the evolution of golf course marketing strategies and technology along with the way to stay ahead of your competition and build a strong brand. And of course, we discuss the zany, out of the box and crazy strategies we have used over the years to acquire customers, gain market share, and separate our courses and team form our competition. Stay tuned and hear how partnering with the right marketing company can not only help you survive but thrive.

On this episode Joe, Mikey D & Drew will discuss the very controversial topic of whether golf course managers and operators should use Golf Now. The unfortunate truth is that there are a lot of misconceptions about the Golf Now platform. We will discuss in detail the why and how we use the platform along with why we feel strongly that industry leaders and golf course managers that have small picture perspectives about Golf Now are having a negative impact on golf courses that subscribe to their misguided beliefs. Buckle up and enjoy.

In Part One we interviewed aspiring PGA Tour Player Brendan Jelley. He shared his journey from winning a national championship at Oklahoma State to now trying to make the PGA Tour. On this episode we speak with Chris Kielp. Chris is the Head Golf Professional at Dobson Ranch Golf Course and part of the Paradigm family. Chris took an unconventional path in becoming a Golf Professional, he had a long and successful career in the business and accounting world. But his passion for the game pushed him to make a career change and become a Golf Professional. Chris along with Joe, Mikey D and Drew will share in detail the life of running high volume golf courses all over America. There is great insight, some debate and a lot of laughs… ENJOY

The Golf Business attracts a lot of team members that are Generation Y (Millennial) and if you are struggling to connect, or if you are looking for a unique perspective, this episode if for you.

Joe, Mikey D & Drew will discuss the shift in thinking and what adjustments YOU need to make as a business leader to build a great team and flourish in these ever-changing times. Although there will be plenty of laughs and engaging dialogue, this will not be a clichéd hit peace against younger people from the ages of 20 to 35. For we feel strongly that this shift is more Relational vs Generational…

Hope We Make You Smile

On this episode Joe, Mikey D, Drew and Paradigm Co-Founder Mike Abee discuss the How, When & Why to buy a golf course. Mike Abee has been considered the golf industries due diligence expert and top golf course transactional consultant for decades and will share the various strategies and secrets on the best practices in purchasing a golf course. In addition to some intriguing and expert knowledge, there will be some great laughs as we share over 30 years of buying and selling golf courses all over the country.

Stay Tuned & Hope We Make You Smile..