Business Athletes: Max Edwards

Hello and welcome to Business Athletes everyone 👋 

Each week, we’ll explore the athlete-like habits behind a different business leader. In less than 5-minutes, we aim to provide you with practical tactics that you can quickly apply in your day-to-day.⚡️

In this edition of Business Athletes, we spoke with Max Edwards, co-founder of Partner Program AI, a unique platform revolutionising partner relationship management software to ensure transparency, efficiency and scalability, for businesses to grow exponentially.  

Here's a snapshot of what Max shared with us:

• Morning Momentum: Max swears by the power of starting the day with intention and clarity. A morning walk is his go-to, a chance to breathe in fresh air and mentally map out the day’s priorities.

• Responsiveness May Save Deals: In business, much like in sports, responsiveness can be the difference between winning or losing. Max shared how quickly responding to prospects and opportunities, even with a brief acknowledgment, keeps the momentum alive, showing commitment and keeping deals moving forward, much like staying in the game on the field.

• Football as a Reset: Playing football isn’t just a hobby for Max; it’s a mental reset button. The game’s intensity helps him clear his mind, pushing away business worries and returning to work with fresh ideas.

• Taking Notes from Sports Heroes: Max draws inspiration from athletes like Martin Ødegaard, whose perseverance and dedication inspire him during tough business challenges.

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did chatting with Max!

Pre-Game Preparation

Setting Up for a Productive Day

For me, the start of my day is the most crucial part. I need to get outside the moment I wake up—it’s non-negotiable. Even though I work from home, I make it a point to step out for a 30-minute walk around my neighborhood. This time away from screens and notifications helps me map out my day’s priorities and prepares me for whatever comes my way. It’s like setting up my mental playbook before the real game begins.

Structuring My Day for Peak Productivity

After my morning walks, I write down everything I need to accomplish for the day on a piece of paper. I like to tackle the low-hanging fruit first, getting those quick wins to build momentum before diving into deeper, more complex tasks.

I do have a trick for staying energetic during long meetings: shoeboxes under my desk to create a makeshift standing desk. It might sound odd, but it’s a cost-effective way to boost my energy levels without splurging on a fancy setup.

Lessons From The Field

Momentum Matters in Sales

Having spent years in the B2B space, I know that deal cycles can be long and unpredictable. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is to keep the momentum going. Responding to prospects quickly, even if it’s just to acknowledge their message, can be a game-changer. It shows that you’re engaged and committed, and it often makes the difference between winning or losing a deal.

Every Point Matters

I approach deal-making like a tennis match—you have to forget the last point and focus on the next. If we lose an opportunity, we analyze it, learn from it, and move on. There’s no time to dwell on missed chances; the focus is always on the next play.

Whether it’s in sports or the startup world, consistency and mental toughness is everything. I believe in showing up every day and putting in the work, even when things aren’t going my way. It’s not about getting it perfect every time; it’s about making progress and keeping the momentum going.

Balancing Remote Work with Collaboration

Remote work has its perks, but I’m a social person at heart. I thrive on the energy of being around others, bouncing ideas, and creating together.

While I’m working from home most of the time, I can’t wait to have an office with a massive whiteboard where I can brainstorm ideas with my team in real-time. The spontaneity of in-person collaboration just can’t be replaced by video calls.

I believe that summarising interactions in remote work often leads to missing out on those spontaneous nuggets of inspiration that come from casual office chats. My approach is to create as much of that collaborative energy as possible, even while we’re remote working. But I look forward to the day when we can all be in the same room, sparking ideas off each other.

Player & Coach

Finding and Trusting the Right Coaches

In business, having the right advisors is like having the best coaches in your corner. I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with people I’ve known for years, individuals I respect for their experience in the partnership world and the B2B startup scene. One of my go-to advisors is ahead of me in the journey, and his insights have been invaluable in guiding my decisions.

My co-founder, Hugo, has an advisor he relies on for fundraising strategies, and while I might not know her well, I trust Hugo’s judgment in believing in her expertise. It’s about leveraging your network to ensure you have a solid support system in place.

Rest

The Weekend Reset

It’s not always possible, but I try to be strict about not working over the weekend unless it’s absolutely necessary. By Friday at 6 PM, I switch off from work to focus on other parts of my life. Whether it’s watching Arsenal play or catching up with friends, I make sure to recharge my batteries. This downtime is crucial for me to return on Monday morning with fresh energy and a clear mind, ready to tackle new challenges.

Lessons From Sports

Football as a Mental Reset

Football is more than a game to me; it’s my way of pressing the mental reset button. I play twice a week, and for that hour on the pitch, nothing else matters. It’s a chance to clear my head, focus on the moment, and forget about the challenges of the day. When I come back from these games, I often feel a renewed sense of energy and even new ideas for tackling business problems.

In many ways, my approach to business is similar to my approach to football: it’s all about consistency, effort, and showing up, even when things don’t go as planned. Just like on the pitch, you have to be ready to adapt your strategy, react quickly, and keep pushing forward.

Learning from Martin Ødegaard’s Journey

I find a lot of inspiration in the story of Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard. He was signed by Real Madrid at just 15, a move that brought immense pressure and scrutiny.

He didn’t live up to the initial hype, but instead of giving up, he chose to move to smaller clubs to get more playing time and to grow as a player. His decision to leave the biggest club in the world to rebuild his career speaks volumes about his resilience and dedication.

Ødegaard’s journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. In business, when things don’t go as planned, I always remind myself that there’s a way back, as long as I’m willing to put in the work and stay focused. It’s about having the courage to step down, work on your weaknesses, and come back stronger.

The Business Athlete Mindset

Building Mental Resilience

To me, being a business athlete is all about resilience and the ability to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges. It’s about having a game plan but also the flexibility to adapt when things don’t go as expected. Consistency, both in sports and business, is what ultimately drives success.

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