Croquet, through its greatest benefactor,  Sir MacPherson Robertson KBE, (Chocolates and Miller - Robertson Airways) was responsible for winning all Sports the advantage of Tax Deductible Sponsorships.

       It was won at Litigation at great expense before the Law Lords of the Privy Council, London, 1935. Australian Federal Government (Tax Commissioner - Rex) V MacRobertson Chocolates.

       Mac's rise from poverty to be the richest and wealthiest entrepreneur in Australia is an example and roll model for all those who would like to succeed in a  Small Family Business. To know of him is of great value.

       MacRobertson's History was published on the United States Croquet Associations Web site for the recent "MacRobertson Shield" This is the Ultimate International Croquet Test Series between Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States.

       The History publication ensured that all competitors and spectators knew who and what was initially responsible for the marketing arrangement and Tax Deductibility of  "Sponsorships".

       Each element column of the table below, shows the relationship of Croquet to Small Business. In the first row column, the words are synonymous. "Technique" - Performance, Skill, Manner, Focus or Discipline, all convey the same marketable personal commodity.

       Without this marketable art, or article of trade, a person or Business cannot be employed in the economy - or, for that matter, become a member of a Sports Team.

       The father of Croquet and its related Rocket Science,  Sir Isaac Newton (Laws of Motion) stated "The fault is not in the Art but in the Artisan. He, who can work with the greatest precision, is the better for it."

        If a person can do something really well, he will find employment in that field sport or trade. If a person would prefer to be "self employed" he will need to understand "Tactics" besides being the best at his trade, sport or professional "Technique".

        Being an employee infers that one leaves the Management of the Business or Department to others. Members of a Sport's Team leave the "Tactics" to the captain of the Team. Disciplined soldiers leave the "Tactics" of Warfare to the "Captain or the Officer in Charge".

         Management, "Tactics",  is a skill in its own right.

         One has to be educated in management particulars. Some people just don't want or need the added responsibility. Conversely, others seem to have that need - to lead and supervise. Others, too,  feel they have been chosen by birth to excel in this status.

        The world's leading Business School "Harvard" produces Masters of Business Management. That is Degrees in Leadership qualities or "Tactics".

        There is no school that teaches "Strategy". The military have Staff Colleges where promising Colonels can become Generals. Directors - Managing Directors - and Chief Executive Officers have studied and planned smaller to larger enterprises strategy0until they have achieved that quality that elevates them  and makes or breaks a Business Enterprise or Government Department

        Some people would suggest that "Strategy" should be part of "Tactics". Not so!

        Look at a Football Team. There are skilled players with a Captain to implement and control "Tactics". Off  the field is the Coach with the bigger picture. It is he who has to work out the overall Strategy - the overall Plan. Who to replace? Sending his runners on to change the plan if he sees a loophole or weak position to exploit.

       Look at a War. There are skirmishes the solder can win with his skill. But it takes a trained captain to unfold a "Tactic" on the battle field to win a battle. But, over all, is the General and his Staff Officers who have planned the Strategy to win the War

      One would think that any good team player would make a good Coach. Not so. Some of the best Coaches didn't make it as players let alone Captained a Team. And some ex-Captains have made terrible Coaches until  they learned the trade.

       Its a different ball game.

       So what is so good about Croquet in terms of Small Family Business. Why did MacRobertson, the smartest business owner of his time, use Croquet to teach his Business associates how to operate their Businesses profitably.

        Simple! To be any good at Croquet you have to be skilled in your "Technique" of hitting the ball(s). Then, to be a better player, you need to understand "Tactics". How to manage the balls around the lawn, supervising there location to keep a break going to win the Battle.

        You must have a planned "Strategy" in your mind - ever changing - as the plot unfolds to win the war.

        Croquet is 10% Luck , 20% Technique, 30% Tactics 40% Strategy and 50% Psychology.

      If you can conceive it and believe it you can achieve it.

Technique - Skill - Focus - Discipline

Tactics - Captaincy - Management

 Strategy -  Coach/ Board of  Directors

Roquets

Hoop Approach

Training?

Hoops

Two Ball Break

Coaching?

Drives

Three Ball Break

Practice?

Rolls

Four Ball Break

Percentage Play?

Stops

Loading Pioneer

Mallet Selection?

Splits

Loading Pivot

Ball Analysis?

Canons

Loading Pilot

Psychology

Rushes

Setting Up

Warm Ups

Split Rushes

Leaves

Starting Choice?

Take Offs

Wiring

Playing In?

Pegging Out

Peeling

Attack/Defend?

Patience

Double Peels

Striker Selection?

Courtesy

Triple Peels

Lifts?

Safety

Sextuples

Risk Management?

Enthusiasm

Pegging Out Opponent

Competitions?

Marking

Rush Line

Rules and Regulations?

Clips

2 Balls Play 1

Nutrition and Health?

Lawn Layout

1 Ball Plays 2

Time Off Work?

Allied Business Operation

(Business Techniques)

(Business Tactics)

Travel & Accommodation?

Computers

Training

Personal Insurance?

Bookkeeping

Employee Selection

Player’s Income?

Retail Sales

Hobby or

Player’s Income Tax?

Carpentry

Sole Operator or

(Club) Membership?

Plumbing

Partnership or

(Club) Committee?

Journalism

Company or

(Club) Office Bearers?

Politics

Trust or

(Club) Constitution?

Consultancy

Politics

(Club) Expenditure?

Lawyer

Planning

(Club) Capital Raising?

Security

Advertising  

(Club) Capital Expenditure?

Painter

Public Relations

(Club) Maintenance?

Trainer

Book keeping

Sponsorships &  Funding?

Motor Mechanic

Maintenance

Politics & Legals?

Manufacturing

Delegation

Public Risk Liability?

Bricklaying

Civic Service &  Patriotism?

Medical

Public Relations?

Et. Al.

Marketing & Media?

Extra Curricular Activities?

Critical Path Analysis?

Swot and Rage?

Critical Path Analysis or Method

        CPA or CPM is a Strategy to put all elements of a project in Sequence and in Parallel or Series in which the activities are undertaken for maximum efficiency in the use of man-power, finance and time.

SWOT & RAGE

       SWOT:

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

       RAGE:

Rewards, Awards, Ghosts and Enemies