Member Article

Breaking through 'the wall'

Athletics legend Steve Cram gave an inspiring talk to Birmingham professionals about breaking throught ‘the wall’ to succeed in business.

The BBC’s chief athletics commentator and former world record holder in the 1,500m, 2,000m and mile distances, spoke to 30 businessmen and women at Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks’ Business and Private Banking Centre in Temple Row, Birmingham, in an event run with city accountants Haines Watts.

Steve, who is an ambassador for Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks, said energy and motivation were needed when professionals felt they had hit ‘the wall’.

“The world of sport teaches us a great deal about when times are hard and what we fall back on when we are working towards long-term targets,” he said.

“Team GB had a great deal of success at the Olympic Games with some athletes who had been quite a way behind their competitors. Through ability and determination they came through when it mattered most.

“Considering everything that is happening in peoples’ lives at the moment due to the economy, it can be easy to think ‘how do I get out of this?’

“By focusing on the positives and taking small steps as well as considering other options it can provide you with the necessary will and determination to succeed in business.”

Mandeep Rajput, business development manager at Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks’ Business and Private Banking Centre in Birmingham, said: “We are proud to have Steve Cram as an ambassador for Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks. His talks are always inspiring and full of good advice which is pertinent to the business world.

“Steve encouraged everyone to think about how the lessons learned from the Olympics can be related to business.

“His passion for sport shines through and many of the examples he passed on from two glorious careers as an athlete and now working in the media can be applied to many careers.”

PICTURE CAPTION: Gareth Jones (Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks), Richard Wallace (Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks), Steve Cram, Andy Jones (Haines Watts), Mandeep Rajput (Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Michelle Wilson .