Alan Johnson’s Post

In the competitive realm of road cycling, a key factor often separates the winners from the rest: the power to weight ratio. This ratio determines the overall strength and efficiency of a cyclist, reflecting how much power they can generate relative to their body weight. Similarly, in the cutthroat world of business, revenue can be likened to power, while costs can be equated to weight. Both, cycling and business, demand a delicate balance between these two elements to achieve optimal performance and success. To enhance their power to weight ratio, cyclists dedicate themselves to rigorous training regimes aimed at increasing their muscular strength. However, building muscle mass also adds to their overall weight. This dilemma mirrors the business scenario where boosting revenue often necessitates higher expenditures, hence increasing the "weight" on the company's balance sheet. Just as cyclists strategize to strike a balance between power and weight, businesses must also navigate the complex interplay between revenue and costs. Maximizing power in the corporate context involves optimizing revenue streams, strengthening market presence, and capitalizing on growth opportunities. Conversely, minimizing the "weight" entails prudent cost management, efficient resource allocation, and lean operational practices. Achieving a harmonious equilibrium between these two aspects is crucial for sustainable growth and competitiveness.

True strength lies in togetherness. It powers you to newer heights. When I began cycling a year and a half ago, I rode solo for a long time. I enjoyed my solo rides, but I wasn’t pushing hard enough. The true unlock of potential happened when I met my tribe. Today, I achieved a new personal milestone, clocking 6000 KM with 270 rides. More than 65% of it was achieved after I started riding alongside fellow riders and I took approximately 50% fewer rides to clock them. With more granular data to show the impact of riding with a good team, I’ve ridden 2587 KM in 78 rides in the current calendar year. What I have observed is, what my tribe shares in common are that we are all highly passionate about what we do (i.e. cycling), display zero egos, there’s an element of fun in every ride, and carry no baggage home post ride. Voilà! The perfect ingredients to make a winning team at work too. The point is that a good team helps achieve collective success and helps everyone in the team better their performance. P.S.1: Gratitude to my mates who have greatly supported my cycling journey Parichay Bagepalli, Abhinav K, Sandeep Belavadi, and many more. P.S.2: This is a weekly post based on personal introspection of my weekly cycling rides. I'm sure someone among you might find it useful to you. Also, I do hope this influences more people to take up cycling :)   #weeklywisdom #growthmindset #leadership #teambuilding #lifelessons #management #cycling

✨ My partner Andrew is a mad cycling fan, he's just finished watching the Giro d’Italia, he's already looking forward to the Vuelta in August & I won’t see him for most of July when the Tour de France is on! 🚀 The story I remember most of all his cycling ancedotes (Sean Kelly stories aside!) is the one about the British Cycling team. 😢 In 2003, British Cycling was stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. 🚲 Then along came new coach Dave Brailsford with a game-changing philosophy: the aggregation of marginal gains. This meant improving every tiny detail by just 1%. 🚀 Small changes, like tweaking bike seats, using heated overshorts & even learning the best way to wash hands led to monumental success. In just five years, British Cycling dominated the 2008 Olympics & the wins kept rolling in. They won 8 gold medals in the 2012 Olympics & multiple Tour de France victories. 🏅 ➡️ Here’s how the man himself explained it: “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, & then improve it by 1 percent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.’ 👀 So, why does this story of success matter to you? 🌱 If you can achieve tiny, marginal gains – just 1% at a time – it will lead to a significant, cumulative effect. 🌟 Small, consistent improvements in your business & your life can lead to extraordinary results. Whether it's refining your daily routine, enhancing productivity or improving your mindset, keep focusing on small, daily improvements. ⏳ Over time, these tiny gains compound into significant success. 🎉 Remember, success isn't about one massive leap; it's about the sum of all those 1% improvements. 🌟 ❓ Where can you make a 1% improvement today? ❓ What one thing you’d like to get better at, & how could you get started today? 💪 It all starts with those 1% baby steps! 🆘 And if you need help implementing these 1% improvements, try my new Business Power Hour session & let's get cracking! https://lnkd.in/etCHgGnF #smallsteps #businessgrowth #mindsetmatters #onyourbike #marginalgains #tinydetails #onepercent #businesspowerhour

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: How the Olympics Story in 'Atomic Habits' Inspires Growth In James Clear's "Atomic Habits," he delves into the remarkable story of the British cycling team's journey to Olympic triumph. Guided by coach Dave Brailsford, the team embarked on a revolutionary approach centered around the concept of "aggregation of marginal gains." Instead of pursuing major, singular breakthroughs, Brailsford advocated for making small, incremental improvements in every aspect of the team's performance. With meticulous attention to detail, Brailsford and his team analyzed the cyclists' training, equipment, nutrition, and recovery strategies, aiming for marginal improvements of just 1%. These seemingly small adjustments, when compounded over time, resulted in significant improvements in their performance. They optimized bike designs, experimented with different fabrics for racing suits, and even taught riders proper handwashing techniques to reduce the risk of illness. Every detail contributed to their success. The impact of this approach was profound. By the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the British cycling team had undergone a remarkable transformation, dominating the competition and winning a remarkable 60% of the gold medals available in track cycling events. This story illustrates the power of small habits and incremental progress in achieving extraordinary results. By focusing on continuous improvement and relentlessly pursuing marginal gains, the British cycling team was able to elevate their performance to unprecedented levels. Their success serves as a testament to the importance of attention to detail, persistence, perseverance and the transformative potential of habit formation. In essence, the story of the British cycling team exemplifies how consistent small changes, when compounded over time, can lead to remarkable results. It emphasizes the significance of cultivating habits that drive progress and success, not only in sports but in all aspects of life and work. #atomichabits #continuousimprovement #growth #perseverance #success

Why I Chose Cycling After 50 and How It Has Helped Me   Everyone warned me, “This is not the age; what if you hurt yourself?” I, too, had my fears of traffic, of falling down, but I did it anyway.   And yes, I have had falls and a few bruises, but cycling has changed my life. I cycle because I love the wind on my face. I get into a zone; it is a meditative experience. My cycle has taken me places, allowing me to explore the world.   Cycling has greatly contributed to keeping healthy habits. But most importantly, it has given me an attitude of taking risks. Every time I fell, I got back on the cycle. It has taught me to face my fears head-on and bounce back after every fall. I would suggest everyone should have a cycle, and here are a few tips to keep the habit: 1. Don’t compete with anyone; do it for the joy of cycling. 2. Start small. I started with a few kilometres and kept increasing the distance. 3. Invest in the best cycle money can buy. We buy phones; cycling is an investment in health. 4. Do it in style. I put on the best gear because it makes me want to get out in the morning. 5. Celebrate every cycling journey. After cycling, I land up at Starbucks and have my cup of coffee.   Remember, cycling is about the journey and not the destination. Enjoy your ride.   On World Cycling Day, my message to all is : Begin cycling; it will change your life. - Sanjay Mudnaney, CMO at C2L BIZ Vijay Chavan | Mangesh Vaitla | Vikas Keni | Bhavesh Lalan   #WorldCyclingDay #CyclingLife #HealthyHabits #Resilience #LifeAfter50

The article "Marginal Gains: The Power of Incremental Progress" by James Clear emphasizes the significance of small improvements in achieving success. It discusses how the concept of marginal gains, initially applied by Dave Brailsford to British Cycling, involves making tiny, continuous enhancements in various aspects to accumulate significant overall progress. Clear highlights the effectiveness of focusing on small changes in habits, routines, and processes, as they can lead to substantial improvements over time. He suggests embracing this approach in personal and professional endeavors to realize substantial advancements. #worthreading https://lnkd.in/dEyH7s4s

🚴 Cycling to Success: Dariusz Petynka's Cycling Ultramarathon 🏆 Our Managing Director of EOS Poland, Dariusz, recently conquered a remarkable challenge – a 500-kilometer ultramarathon on his bike, enduring relentless rain and pushing his limits. Read here what this competition has to do with his job. Here's a glimpse into his journey: 🚴 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Looking for a new physical challenge and looking to step out of his comfort zone, Dariusz set his sights on a cycling ultramarathon. 🌧️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: This ultramarathon covered over 500 kilometers of asphalt, gravel, forest paths, and dirt trails, all within a set time limit. Mental fortitude proved key. 💪 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Dariusz's training regimen focused on both physical fitness and mental resilience, aligning with his professional approach to tackling challenges. 🧠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭: Starting with determination and a commitment to finish within two days without night cycling, Dariusz's 'ever forward' attitude guided him through the race. 🌟 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲: While facing moments of doubt, unexpected challenges, and physical setbacks, Dariusz kept his focus on the positive and pressed on, refusing to quit. 🏅 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡: Despite the hurdles, Dariusz secured 138th place, covering 509 kilometers in approximately 40.5 hours, a remarkable achievement for a debut ultramarathon. Dariusz Petynka's journey exemplifies the power of determination and mental strength. His story reminds us that challenges, whether in sports or business, can be overcome with the right mindset. But it doesn't have to be an ultramarathon to rise above yourself! Share with us your moments, what challenges have you overcome recently? 🌟 #Ultramarathon #MentalStrength #SuccessStory #EOSGroup

Speak to a lot of triathletes, and they’ll tell you their favourite part of the sport is cycling. There’s nothing quite like getting out there and hitting those open roads. The pride that comes from covering 40, 60, or 100+ miles entirely under your own steam… Being able to put in a solid ride and some big distance before the rest of the family is even up on a Sunday… And let’s remember that one ESSENTIAL component of any long group ride: The obligatory stop for coffee and cake. (Shame they can’t make that bit a 4th discipline in the Olympics. Some of our coaches would excel at that one.) There’s no doubt about it, cycling can be a lot of fun. Maybe it’s because so many of us have fond memories of summer days spent riding bikes without a care in the world when we were young. Or perhaps it’s just the exhilaration of speeding around corners, or crushing a savage descent. But we also want to improve our performance, right? Even if we’re not lining up at races every weekend, there’s a lot to be said for getting fitter, faster and stronger on the bike. Because not only does that give you a huge sense of accomplishment (or make you much more competitive if and when you do compete,) but it makes riding easier, too. The good news is though, making improvements to your cycling can actually be pretty simple. And you can see changes fairly fast. One such way is to develop your cycling power: https://lnkd.in/ec8t4DvM In this blog from Brownlee Fitness coach Andy, he shares his 5 top tips from well over a decade of coaching and competing at the highest level for being more powerful on the bike. Check it out, and start seeing your rides get quicker, easier AND more fun, starting today. #brownleefitness

The Cycling Revolution: Unveiling the Magic of 1% Gains Year 2003 – British Cycling was in a rough patch. 100 years of mediocrity, zero Tour de France wins, and a reputation so tarnished, top bike manufacturers refused to sell bikes to team because they were afraid that it would hurt sales if other professionals saw the Brits using their gear. Enter Dave Brailsford, the new performance director. His game plan? "𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔." It started with the basics – cosier seats and better tire grip. Asked riders to wear electrically heated overshorts to maintain ideal muscle temperature, biofeedback sensors to monitor how each athlete responded to a particular workout, and had their outdoor riders switch to indoor racing suits, which proved to be lighter and more aerodynamic. They didn't stop there. Brailsford and his team continued to find 1% improvements in unexpected areas. Testing massage gels for muscle recovery, getting surgeon advice on handwashing to reduce the chances of catching a cold, and crafting the perfect sleep experience with personalized pillows. Even team truck got a glow-up – painted white to reveal hidden dust, a small detail that would normally slip by unnoticed but could degrade the performance of the finely tuned bikes. And the result? Against all odds, within five years, the British Cycling team dominated cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where they won an astounding 60 % of the gold medals. Four years later, when the Olympic Games came to London, the Brits raised the bar as they set 9 Olympic records and 7 world records. In that year, Bradley Wiggins made history as the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France. The following year, his teammate Chris Froome secured victory, and his winning streak continued in 2015, 2016, and 2017, marking 5 Tour de France triumphs for the British team in just six years. In life's storms, those tiny tweaks can create epic shifts. So, as we ride through our journey, don't underestimate the power of 1%. It might just be the secret sauce to our extraordinary triumph. Keep giving that extra 1%, even if it doesn't make sense now. Inspirational story taken from the book "Atomic Habit". #success #habits #mindset

In a nation that has always taken immense pride in its rich sporting culture, Great Britain's performance at the Olympic Games has consistently been noteworthy, despite its relatively small size. However, for 80 years, one sport, in particular, posed a considerable challenge - cycling. With just one gold medal to their name in eight decades of Olympic competition, it was evident that something had to change. To address this, in 2002, Dave Brailsford was appointed as the director of cycling, earning himself the moniker "One-Percent Man." His philosophy was straightforward yet incredibly effective: when faced with a monumental task, break it down into tiny, manageable bits, and work on making each aspect one percent better. The cumulative impact of these small improvements could be transformative. Brailsford left no stone unturned, applying his one-percent principle to every facet of British cycling. He changed the angle of the bicycle seat to provide a more comfortable ride, altered the fabrics used for jerseys to reduce sweating, and even brought in a doctor to teach proper hand-washing techniques to ensure the athletes remained germ-free. The attention to detail extended to something as seemingly insignificant as the choice of pillows for a better night's sleep. The results were nothing short of astonishing. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Great Britain's cycling team secured an impressive seven out of ten gold medals, a testament to the transformative power of one-percent improvements. This incredible journey of British cycling under Dave Brailsford's guidance serves as a powerful reminder. It reminds us not to wait for a grand, transformational idea to get better but to actively seek opportunities for one-percent improvements in every aspect of our endeavors. Just as small changes in cycling led to an extraordinary transformation, so can focusing on the small stuff pave the way to excellence in any field. So, what are you working on today? What are your one-percent improvement opportunities? Start now, and you may be amazed at the significant difference they can make when added together.