bowling and “we have an image problem”

bowl flintstones

“We have an image problem.”

=

Kevin Dornberger

<president of World Bowling – bowling international governing body>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok.

 

 

This is mostly a business rant but it begins with a headline.

 

 

Yup.

 

Every once in a while I read a headline and laugh my ass off <and it gets me thinking>.

 

bowling cartoons

Bowling states ‘we have an image problem.’

 

 

Really?

 

 

An image problem?

 

 

 

This is kind of bowling’s version of “Houston, we have a problem.”

 

 

Uhm.

 

 

It seems to me that bowling has had the same image for … well … forever.

 

 

 

I can’t seem to find the right words to type at the moment to simply state the bowling image … but its image has been clear & true & whatever it has been for … well … forever.

 

bowling social

 

I am sure bowling was actually ‘cool’ at some point but I tend to believe it is just more a social event within culture … timeless and a ‘low level’ aspect of the fabric of society.

 

 

 

That said.

 

 

I would imagine you only perceive you have an image problem if you actually begin thinking you are more important to everyday culture than you are.

 

 

Please do not get me wrong <or misunderstand me>.

Bowling is absolutely part of the fabric of culture. It is a thread that weaves its way thru rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods <in fact … I could argue it is one of the few ‘things’ that actually does that>.

 

 

 

And that in itself makes it important … but not all things important are created equal.

 

 

 

And that is where someone … like someone who wants to discuss ‘image’ … kind of goes off the rails.

 

 

It is sometimes difficult to accept who and what you are.

 

 

It is always difficult to accept that you aren’t ‘important enough’ or ‘not relevant enough’ … despite the fact one could point out that 90% of a population has actually been involved with your brand <despite its image> at some point in their lives.

 

 

All that said.

 

 

Someone associated with bowling has decided that it needs to be better known, better respected and better thought of.

 

 

So what are they trying to do about it?

 

 

Make it an Olympic sport.

 

 

I can now see the camera cutting away from the 100 yard dash … or maybe the Alpine downhill ski event … or maybe even the biathlon … to … yes … bowling.

 

bowling pabst

 

I assume the balls will represent the countries in their colors.

 

 

 

I assume someone will get them better shoes <maybe even a shoe contract with Puma or something>.

 

 

I assume it will look stupid as an Olympic sport <although … I would have never thought Curling could ever be construed as anything more than shuffleboard on ice>.

 

 

Ok.

 

 

So with an eye toward the Olympics bowling is taking steps to ‘revolutionize’ the game by changing its scoring system.

 

 

Headline:

Bowling rolls out new scoring system to attract Olympic interest

In a move that is ultimately aimed at grabbing the attention of the International Olympic Committee, a new scoring system is being tested at this weekend’s World Bowling Tour finals.

If it sticks, it could change the face of the game.

 

 

 

Ok.

 

 

Why change the scoring?

 

Uh.

 

 

Because in the infinite wisdom of the bowling executives it is the scoring which is creating the image problem:

 

 

 

“We have had an image problem,” said Kevin Dornberger, president of World Bowling, the sport’s international governing body.

bored type

“Not enough people understand the way the game is scored and that can make it boring for them to watch.”

 

 

 

 

Ok.

 

 

 

Look.

 

Beyond the fact I think the bowling leadership has lots its proverbial marbles.

 

 

Managing an image is … well … tricky.

 

 

Shit.

 

 

Even suggesting you manage your image sounds out of whack.

 

 

Why?

 

 

Well.

 

 

Your image is your image. And if you are being … well … you… then what the heck do you have to manage?

 

 

Unfortunately.

 

 

Sometimes you can be you … and you is misinterpreted by the other yous.

 

 

And, yet, when I think about this with bowling … and I ask “has bowling ever been accused of being fake’ or ‘ever been confused with something it is not’ … well … I can honestly say … ‘I don’t think so.’

 

 

 

Bowling has always stayed in its comfort zone and has always been ‘honest & authentic’.

 

 

 

 

Now.

 

bowling uni iowa

 

Could I argue that bowling could become a little less bland … or add some color & personality to who and what it is?

 

 

 

Sure.

 

An example of how that could be done follows.

 

 

 

Bowl Movement

<awesome play on words>

http://bowlmovementswy.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

What is this?

This is the bowling blog for charismatic, astute, and discriminating bowlers.

The BM Report began as a newsletter for a Laramie, Wyoming bowling team, the Bowl Movements. We are, by every measure, not particularly skilled at bowling.

Mediocrity in bowling is not our goal, but sadly it is the state of our team.

For three seasons, we found ourselves positioned in the lower half of the league standings. Last season, we barely crested the top half.

Our Monday night venue is the Bernaski Memorial League at the Laramie Lanes.

At this point, you might be asking yourself why a subpar bowling team in Laramie needs a blog.

bowl movement shirt

Like the great conundrums of philosophy (god, morality, epistemology, etc.), there is no good answer to this …

—-

 

 

 

You know.

 

 

Bowling would have a significantly better image if there was more written about bowling in this tone and style.

 

==

Disclaimer:

The bowling advice that follows is very likely not good advice.

Readers read at their own risk.

The Bowl Movement Corporation assumes no liability for bowlers attempting to implement said advice.

==

 

 

Awesome stuff.

 

 

And it seems to me that the blog, and the content, would change image & perceptions better than the whole new scoring shit they plan on trying.

 

 

Anyway.

 

 

The new scoring?

 

 

matches will effectively become a frame-by-frame showdown, with each bowler initially rolling a single ball per frame.

If a player outscores their opponent, they win the frame and go “one-up”, like in match-play golf. If both hit a strike, each gets a half. If both hit, for example, an eight, each competitor would attempt to complete their spare, with the higher scorer taking the frame. Matches tied after 12 frames continue until there is a winner.

 
The format is designed to increase suspense, speed up the game and offer greater broadcast appeal, all factors seen as vital to have a shot at Olympic inclusion.
Uhm.

 

 

Once again.

 

 

Why are they doing the new scoring stupidity?

 

 

 

“People still see it as a recreation where you have a few beers and it is a wonderful social experience.

But there’s also an elite competitive side and being in the Olympics would open up incredible opportunities in terms of visibility and appeal.”

bowling olympics

 

 

 

Well.

 

 

 

This is kind of silly to me.

 

 

Ok.

 

 

 

Kind of stupid.

 

 

Let me point out a key thought buried in there … “Wonderful social experience with a higher competitive side for competitive bowlers.”

 

 

Even if I had some growing sense that some change is necessary I would be looking at that phrase and thinking “shit … a lot of people would kill to have that image.’

A lot of people would kill to be thought of that way.

A lot of people would kill to be in the position I <my event/activity/product> am in.

 

 

 

But … that’s me.

 

And what I do know is that discussing ‘image’ in business is very very difficult.

 

 

 

More difficult than you could ever really imagine.

 

 

Why?

 

 

Sometimes the people inside the company are disappointed with the image that outside people see. They don’t like the fact that externally they are not seen the way they see themselves.

 

bowling scan pics

And then, rather than simply saying “well … it is not aligned with how I think but they are actually thinking some nice thought’ … instead people with far too much power and far too much money go about trying to change what is a relatively positive image in people’s heads into something else.

 

 

That is whack.

 

 

That is crazy.

 

 

 

I am not opposed to consciously building/shaping/reaffirming an image. It is an unfortunate truth in life, and in business, that sometimes you actually do have to remind people of things they have a tendency to overlook <that you would like them to remember more often>.

 

 

But that is not changing an image … that is reinforcing an image.

 

 

 

Anyway.

 

 

I am sure the Olympics would be a good thing for bowling. I am not sure it would be a great thing … but it could be good.

 

 

 

 

“But you have got to look forward. The Olympics would be incredible for bowling.

We have to deal with it, see the big picture and go out there to win no matter what the format.”

 

 

 

I say only good because somehow, someway, the masterminds behind this thinking have only thought about ‘inclusion is good’ and not any of the possible negative social aspects that will come along with it <the gobs of articles discussing how ludicrous it is that bowling is an Olympic sport>.

 

 

Yup.

 

Not all exposure is good … and getting exposure is not always a good thing.

 

 

 

Anyway.

 

Here is where I feel they really went off track.

 

 

Dornberger’s challenges are different but no less taxing. “We are facing changes in society,” he said.

“Today people want things at a faster pace and we are trying to tap into that.”

 

 

I wanted to cry when I read this.

 

 

Seriously.

 

 

I mean … c’mon.

 

 

Please.

 

 

Not everyone wants things at faster pace. And in fact … as society changes some people, in fact, a lot of people like to have some consistency. Like to have some shit that they know is good and honest and authentic and … well … not rushed.bowling fun food

 

 

Bowling is social at its core.

 

 

And at the elite level? The ‘competitive level’?

No one is bitching about it being too slow.

 

 

They are barking up the wrong tree.

 

 

 

Look.

 

 

Bowling is … well … bowling.

 

 

They can try and manage their image if they want but it seems silly to me.

 

 

In fact.

 

It sounds stupid. People will see right thru anything they try.

 

 

It seems a much better tactic to simply embrace what it is and enhance it <and the positive aspects>.

 

 

As I seriously thought about bowling <which seems like a slight oxymoron> I found some ‘tips’ somewhere on the worldwide web on how to ‘better your image’ <assuming you believe your image is not ‘better’> and it made for some interesting reading as I thought about bowling:

be find yourself and be

 

• Don’t lose sight of what you want yourself to be – it’s not always about other people.

• Try to stay away from people that teased you for a while. Eventually they will ignore you. Remember, bullies only bully you for attention, because they don’t get it at home.

• Quite simply ask yourself “What’s the problem?” and then “What can I do about it?” From there, make a plan and go for it!

• Life throws many things at you for a reason. It might help you see yourself in another light. If you’re labeled a “nerd,” it just means that you’re smart. Realize if you’re called a nerd, they’re just letting you know that you’re smart.

 

 

 

 

Anyway.

 

 

Bowling is bowling.

 

 

And your image isn’t always about other people … or a ‘faster paced society.’

 

Sometimes who you are and what you offer may not appeal to everyone … and maybe even not to a shitload of people <or lets say … as many as you would like> … but to the ones who do find you appealing you provide consistency and comfort and … well … good shit.

 

you cannot run away from yourself

And maybe that is really my point.

 

 

If your existing image, flaws and all, actually represents ‘good’ … I am not really sure I would be running around suggesting ‘I have an image problem’ and start doing some wacky shit that changes what people actually find ‘good’ about you.

 

Celebrate the good.

 

Be who you are.

 

 

You will never please everyone … but everyone is pleased by ‘good.’

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Written by Bruce