Strategies: Small businesses can learn from a Giant

• First, success takes teamwork. The stars of the show don't do it alone; acknowledge that
• Next, keep learning. The Giants' pitching staff has batting practice every day during the season
• Finally, have fun. This rag-tag, crazy team enjoys what it does and that helps it win

Woohoo! My San Francisco Giants have just won the World Series for the second time in three years, and as a long-time Giants fan, I'm thrilled.

After following this team for more than 20 years, I can see that this is a team — and an organization — that has finally learned how to win, year after year. As small-business owners, we can learn lots from the Giants.

America can learn some lessons as well, especially as we prepare to vote.

First, success takes teamwork. You can't build a sports team, a business, or a country just depending on and rewarding stars.

Yes, I know star baseball players often receive salaries substantially higher than other teammates. But they do not, alone, win games — not game after game.

The San Francisco Giants showed that again this year. Manager Bruce Bochy continually called on and pointed out the many contributions of lesser-known players: the well-caught ball, the good defensive play, the guy who got a single at an important time.

Moreover, Giants management made sure to recognize everyone.

In the San Francisco victory parade, the million-plus crowd not only cheered the players and coaches but also showered confetti on ushers and ticket takers for the Giants. They were riding on the floats, too.

It's a wise and winning company that recognizes and rewards even those at the bottom rungs of the organization.

It's easy to talk about teamwork, but most small businesses depend on one or two stars for success.

A hairdresser opens a salon but thinks he's the only one who can give a great haircut. A designer thinks she's the only one who understands her clients. But that means the stars don't attract, retain or develop others who can help their business succeed over time.

I understand. I face this problem too.

It's my name on the cover of the books in my publishing company. I give the speeches, make public appearances and appear on the media.

But I've had to learn how to turn over responsibility, respect and rewards to my great team members. Many colleges that use our books know only Bryan, not me. Rosa and Deborah make most administrative decisions without me. Rebecca, Anne Marie and others produce terrific content. And on and on.

No matter how talented you are, you don't build substantial success alone.

I'm afraid that in America, we seem to have forgotten that lesson. We've become obsessed with individual achievement, in business as well as sports.

But even superstars in individual sports have coaches, parents, teachers who all contribute to their success just as superstar entrepreneurs and chief executives depend on their employees for their success.

Yet, today, an average corporate CEO makes 231 times his average worker — a gap 10 times greater than in 1965, a time of great American prosperity. We need to make sure everyone on Team America gets recognized and rewarded fairly.

Next, keep learning. The Giants have made a great commitment to training and learning.

Neither Giants management nor players take the attitude that just because someone has arrived in the major leagues, they know everything. Their pitching staff is the only one in the major leagues that takes batting practice every day during the season.

When I was working on my second book about what makes great companies great, I realized that the thing all the companies I studied had in common was a huge commitment to education and training for their staff.

Even the smallest companies set aside time for all staff members to expand their knowledge. The result was long-term growth and success.

Education is the key to long-term success for America as well. Yet our schools are underfinanced, our teachers are underappreciated, and our colleges are overenrolled and overstretched for dollars.

When we neglect our schools, we jeopardize our future. So if you want to keep your business and your country growing, invest in education.

Finally, have fun. The Giants are one of the most rag-tag, crazy teams in any professional sport.

People always work harder when they like the people they work with and have a smile on their face. So don't be afraid to have fun at work.

It's just good business.

Rhonda Abramsis president of The Planning Shop and publisher of books for entrepreneurs. Her most recent book isEntrepreneurship: A Real-World Approach. Register for Rhonda's free newsletter atPlanningShop.com.See an index of Abrams' columns here. Twitter:@RhondaAbrams. Facebook:facebook.com/RhondaAbramsSmallBusiness.Copyright Rhonda Abrams 2012.