Mike J. Williams, the Managing Partner of Mourant Ozannes BVI gave a stirring motivational speech to the young and upcoming basketball players of the territory, speaking to them about the important principles needed to be successful – whether in business or on the basketball court. Photo: VINO

Mike J. Williams seated next to Paul A. Hewlett, acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and former Miss World BVI Kirtis Kassandra Malone. Photo: VINO

Some of the young players listening attentively to the address by Mike J. Williams. Photo: VINO

A player from Ballers drives down the middle in the 16-18 years Division final of the K&J 3 on 3 tournament. The 16-18 Division was won by Who’s Next. Photo: VINO

Action in the championship game in the 13-15 Division between Arrow Gang (white top) and Future. Photo: VINO

Bayside Blazers 1 (red) and Kings go head to head in a thrilling contest, which was eventually won by Kings. Photo: VINO

Bayside Blazers 1 and Bayside Blazers 2 (white) clashed in an elimination game, which was won by Bayside Blazers 1. Photo: VINO

It was at the opening ceremony of the K&J 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town on Saturday March 28, 2015. Mourant Ozannes was one of the main sponsors of the tournament.

The pillars of team success

“I would now like to speak briefly about some of the important principles you need to follow to run a successful business and to achieve success on the basketball court. The pillars of team success. There are countless pages dedicated to this subject in books. And I haven't read any of them!” he said.

Williams broke it down to five principles he believed are the key things one needs to do to achieve success as a team.

Set a goal

He said, “To work out whether or not you are successful at any point in time, you need to be able to measure where you started, where you want to end up and where you are now. If you don't do this, you are merely drifting through life. Importantly, you have to truly believe that you can achieve your goal. If you don't, you won't! It's that simple.”

Have a plan to achieve your goal

He said one must periodically test his or her plan to make sure it’s working and fine tune or change it if necessary.

“Learn from both your successes and your mistakes. Quickly let go of your mistakes. Let your mistakes live in the past while you live in the now.”

Be determined

“Determination means you never ever give up no matter what the odds or how hopeless the situation might seem; determination means you always find a way to overcome any problem; determination means you focus on achieving your goals and ignore distractions and doubters; determination means you are prepared to make sacrifices and work incredibly hard to achieve your goals; determination means you accept sole responsibility for achieving your goals; determination means you don't blame others or circumstances when you fail,” he explained.

Work together

Williams said that there is nothing more powerful in sport or business than a team working together. “It creates synergy – the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. A champion team will always beat a team of champions,” he said.

“You must trust and respect the members of your team. Each person in your team should make a positive contribution and have a skill that you need to achieve your goal. If someone doesn't, then you need to get rid of them,” said Williams.

He pointed out the importance of communication in a team. “If someone does something well, tell them; if someone is making mistakes, tell them; if something is working well or not working well, say so; and if you have any ideas on how to improve team performance, speak up,” he said.

Don't be afraid to take risks

Williams also advised that if one wants to be successful, one must take risks. “Don't be afraid to take risks, but only take measured risks. Never take blind risks,” he said. According to Williams, one must consider the downside if the risk doesn't pay off; and whether the reward is worth taking the risk.

“So, in summary, to succeed as a team, you need to set a goal, you need to have a plan to achieve it, you need to be determined, you need to work together as a team and you need to take risks,” he said.