Ling's Theory of Balls 
Rule 9: "Score With The Ball"

Ideas might be the cornerstone of innovation but getting projects completed is what ultimately turns chit chat into reality. Successful people Score with the Ball even if they only play a small part in a bigger project.  In December 1999, I was appointed eBusiness Leader at a business unit of US giant General Electric.  I had already contracted with GE for a some time and since I was always talking about how the Internet was changing everything, I was pleased to accept my new role. A lot of people thought that this was a retrograde move for me until the great Jack Welch sent his now famous 'we're all in on this Internet thingie' email to all GE employees that same month.  With that sort of backing in GE, things get done.  The following period up to the dotcom 'crash' was one of he most exciting times I have witnessed in commerce. Powered by their Six Sigma pholosophy, what GE managed to achieve in eCommerce, particularly in their business-to-business units,  was spectacular from pretty much a standing start.  The buzz about the place was fantastic and although I only played a small part, managing the team to launch the first online retail store card in the UK for example, it was the first time I realised that I truly was a 'completer-finisher' - a man who gets things done.  At the end of the day in western societies, we are all judged, in almost all aspects of our lives by how we Score with the Ball  - from the cradle to grave.  To see the TOB in full visit:  www.GarysBalls.com

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