Why did we loose the Ryder Cup? I think we sent a bunch of individuals instead of one team.

Just some random thoughts about being a part of a team.

##They don’t call it work for nothing

It’s hard to be part of a team. That’s why they call it work. The idea that
what’s good for me might be bad for the team but I should do it anyway is
tough to deal with. Try teaching it to a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds. I’m
currently coaching an under 8 soccer team of girls. It’s my second year
coaching and I’m loving every minute of it, but getting them to play like
a team has been a lot of work.

It’s taught me that it’s more natural for people to think of themselves
and not be a team player.

##Now I know why…

Now I know why my father made be get involved in team sports when I was
younger. At the time I really didn’t want to go and try out in front
of all those people. But he made me do it and by the end of the season I
was glad he did.

It taught me that sometimes painful things can be great in the long run.

##It’s even in the music

I’ve been playing the saxophone for years now. I’ve been in many bands
including the “Mike Sloan” Big Band. I’ve been in bad bands and I’ve been
in good bands. When the music comes together in that certain way, it’s magic.

It taught me that teamwork can be a beautiful thing.

##Why the US lost the Ryder Cup

They didn’t play like a team. Europe did and they won.

Maybe it’s because Europe is much more interested in the team than in the
stars. Have you ever watched a fütball game over there? The pride they show
for the team is amazing. Here the talk is about the stars on the team and
how they played in the last game. There they talk about how the team played.

Golf is a sport for individuals. In every other tournament during the years
its the golfer against the course. And the golfer that beats up the course
the most wins the tournament.

But not at the Ryder Cup. Here’s it’s only about how you play against your
opponent in each match. The team that wins the most matches wins the
overall match.

The Europeans dominated the 2 person matches of four-ball and foursomes.
It wasn’t until the third day of competition and the singles matches that
the US started to come back. They started to play like a team when they
could play like individuals again. Now there’s an apparent oxymoron.

##Can Apple be a team player?

I sure hope so, because they can’t stand alone anymore.
Why does Apple still make its own monitors, printers, etc.? There are
companies out there that do it for better and cheaper. They could just
OEM from and then just put their Apple logo on the side. Then instead of
them having to deal with the fiascoe of the 1710AV monitor (I think that
was the one with all the problems), someone who specializes in monitor
manufacturing could deal with it.

They shook hands with Mightysoft, but at the same time squashed the second
string (clone manufacturers). Any good team needs backups. That’s why
baseball has relief pitchers.

Their new ad campaign centers around individuals. “Think Different”.
Individuals think different, companies don’t. Corporate America doesn’t. I
think the campaign is wonderful, but I don’t think Apple should listen to
its own message right now.