Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is an American businessman and investor. He is the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theatres, and Magnolia Pictures, and is the chairman of the HDTV cable network AXS TV. He is also a "shark" investor on the television series, Shark Tank. In 2011, Cuban wrote an e-book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, in which he chronicles his life experiences in business and sports...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEntrepreneur
Date of Birth31 July 1958
CityPittsburgh, PA
CountryUnited States of America
The template for success in the NBA changed from the Portland model of 1999-2000, when I got to the league, to the Detroit, San Antonio, Miami model. Although we have succeeded on the court to the point of five straight 50-plus win seasons, we certainly didn't do it 'the best way.' We did it the most expensive way. It cost us flexibility and created lots of bad habits. That was my mistake, and it ended up costing us Mike (Finley).
The No. 1 job for a GM at a lot of places is not to win a championship, but to keep their jobs. That's not Avery. And that's not Donnie.
With Nellie, we tried it the other way. Nellie was brilliant for what he did, but for whatever reason, it didn't work. All of our guys want to win a championship, and this is a system they understand and buy into. We've got guys who might not be great defenders, but they work hard at that end. Now, we're more geared to play defense.
You never win any games you don't play.
I've learned the number one job of a pro manager is not to win championships but to keep their job.
Every job I took was really me getting paid to learn about a new industry.
All that matters in business is that you get it right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are.
In the past people used to tell me to shut up a bit. But what I believe is to put out your opinion and let everyone else react. If I'm wrong I'm wrong. People are afraid to put out their opinions and get push back.
The only thing any entrepreneur, salesperson or anyone in any position can control is their effort.
The thrill of victory in business blows away the thrill of victory in sports. Business is a sport 24/7/365.
If you're looking where everybody else is looking, you're looking in the wrong spot.
Most people think it's all about the idea. It's not. EVERYONE has ideas. The hard part is doing the homework to know if the idea could work in an industry, then doing the preparation to be able to execute on the idea.
Business is a sport and I want to win. I want to kick your ass. I may not win every game. But I certainly am going to try.
It's not whether the glass is half empty or half full, it's who is pouring the water. The key in business and success at any endeavor is doing your best to control your destiny. You can't always do it, but you have to take every opportunity you can to be as prepared as-and ahead of-the competition as you possibly can be.