In our continuing series, SportsBusiness Daily/SportsBusiness Journal asks top sports personalities for their thoughts, ideas, aspirations and likes. Today, Speedo USA & Calvin Klein Swimwear President JIM GERSON
What I Like…
An insight: Walk in your consumer’s shoes.
An influential person in my career: My father.
An out-of-the-box idea: Facebook.
A timeless idea: The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
A business deal: VF’s acquisition of The North Face.
A sports facility: AT&T Park in San Francisco and the smell of those garlic fries.
A sports event: World Cup soccer captures the eyes of the world.
A strategy: TOM’S Shoes. Buy a pair; give a pair to a child in need.
A hire: DARRYL SUTTER: L.A. Kings -- Stanley Cup champions.
A brand: Apple.
A trend: Social fitness.
An innovation: Nike+ FuelBand.
A Pro league or team business initiative: Branding of the Oregon Ducks.
A story that bears watching: Breaststroke 4 Hope.
An idea or invention I wish I Had thought of: iPod.
A fantasy job: Playing in the Wimbledon finals.
What I Like About…
My job: Our opportunity to inspire people to swim and to assist them in reaching/achieving their goals.
Sports: Competition and sportsmanship.
Sports business: The ability to showcase premier athletes doing what they love to do.
Sports media: Their ability to evolve and bring insights to the fans.
Sports technology: Functional design that solves athletes’ challenges.
Competing: Ability to measure your efforts.
Sports fans: Their passion.
What I Would Like To…
Change: L.A. transportation. Too much unproductive time.
Change in what I do: Spend more time thinking about the next five years.
See: The Olympics, specifically the 400 IM with three of our Team Speedo stars --MICHAEL PHELPS, RYAN LOCHTE and TYLER CLARY.
See more of in sports: Parity between teams.
See more of in sports business: Leagues providing affordability to the average fan.
See less of in sports: Attitudes of entitlement.
See less of in sports business: Athletes being leveraged for every commercial dollar.
See different: Parents allowing kids to enjoy the sport.
Eliminate: The thought process that you can't change.
What I Don’t Like...
In general: Focusing on the negative.
Pete Peeve: People who treat others as if they were below them.
In sports: My Warriors’ playoff appearances.
In business: Short-term decisions that affect long-term results.
About sports fans: I love the passion of sports fans but believe you should celebrate with respect.
What I Like…
People: We all have our strengths.
That would surprise those that know me: I was very shy as a youth.
Above all else: Treat others with respect.
About myself: Competitive, fair and driven.
Heroes: My father.
Players: EARL MONROE (spin move), MICHAEL JORDAN (closer), KEVIN DURANT (humble superstar).
Teams: Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Seahawks, anything USA.
City: San Clemente, Calif., and Bend, Ore.
Possession: Memories. Experiences have more value than possessions.
Time of year (because): December … skiing, family, reflection.
Music: Oldies, island music, R&B.
Books: “It’s Your Ship,” by D. MICHAEL ABRASHOFF. A story about empowerment and leadership.
Gadgets: iPad.
iPad app: “Speedo Pace Club” -- a virtual swim coach.
Chores: “Honey-do” list.
Hobbies: Swimming, biking, skiing, golf, basketball.
Trips: Biking through Europe.
Movies: “Remember the Titans.”
TV: “Modern Family.”
Artist: JACK JOHNSON.
Food: Abalone.
Dessert: Mom’s butter sprits cookies.
Drink: On occasion.
Scent: Lemongrass.
Vacation spots: Bend, Ore., and Kauai.
Cars: BMW 6 series -- great lines; Toyota Prius -- great leader.
Aftershave: Whatever my wife picks up.
Singer: ALICIA KEYS, Jack Johnson, IZ (Hawaiian musician ISRAEL KA'ANO'I KAMAKAWIWO'OLE).
Quote: “If you don’t know where you’re going. Any road will get you there” -- English Proverb.
