Tips for Enhancing the Earning Potential of ATP and WTA Tennis Professionals
Posted in on January 22, 2010
Professional tennis players could meaningfully enhance their public image, thereby increasing their perceived value to tournament promoters and corporate sponsors, by adding just a little flavor to their post-match speeches and interviews. So, for all the ATP and WTA professionals battling it out in the summer heat of Melbourne at the 2010 Australian Open right now, here are a few concepts to incorporate into your next interview or courtside speech:
1. Self-deprecating humor (not to be confused with self-defecating humor). The ability to playfully poke fun at oneself is a universally crowd-pleasing tactic.
2. Light-hearted trash talking or challenge to the competition. Creating and promoting rivalries generates human interest not only in your own career, but the pro tour and the sport in general. Don't rely on the mainstream media to manufacture rivalries for your sport. Take charge of your own career.
3. Product Placements. What are your favorite brand name goods? Creatively incorporate references to them in interviews and public appearances. Not only will you spice up your interviews, but you might just open the door to new sponsorship opportunities for yourself.
In short, by incorporating some basic concepts of character development and human interest (similar to the way that WWE develops characters and storylines for its talent), a professional tennis player can go a long way toward enhancing his or her own earning potential off the court, and what's more, the confidence gained through such off-court activities could very well translate to greater confidence on the tennis court.
Mixed Reviews for SBA ARC Loan Program
Posted in Closely Held Businesses and Business Start-Ups on January 14, 2010
A little over six months after its June 2009 debut, the SBA America’s Recovery Capital (“ARC”) Loan program continues to get mixed reviews. On a positive note, over 45% ($142 million) of available funds have been distributed by over 1,000 lenders to nearly 4,400 borrowers. On the downside, many other borrowers have found it difficult to qualify for these loans and to find participating lenders. Further, the future of the program has been cast in doubt after Senator Olympia Snowe, an original architect of the ARC Loan program, introduced a bill late in 2009 that would repeal the program.
Regardless, the program remains open until either the remaining funds are exhausted (over $100 million remains available under the program) or September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.