When flat out isn't the answer.....

Finding the Line

Last Friday I went go-karting.
On the straights, I felt quick — the kart flew. But the corners were a different story.

Push too hard on the brakes and I’d spin. Don’t brake at all and I’d drift wide. For a while, it felt like guesswork — trial, error, and frustration.

Then one of the marshals gave me a simple tip:
Gentle pressure on the accelerator. Dab the brakes, don’t slam them.

It was a small piece of advice, but it changed everything. Suddenly I could carry speed into the corners, keep control, and actually start improving.

The karts were identical. Everyone had the same engine, the same track, the same rules. The difference wasn’t the equipment — it was how you used it.

And that’s the real lesson.

In business, we often assume that having the right tools is enough. A CRM, a reporting suite, a new piece of software — if it works for others, it should work for us. But tools on their own don’t guarantee success.

It’s about technique. Knowing when to ease off, when to press gently, when to adjust your line. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective — like the marshal — to show you how to unlock performance.

I’m still no racing driver, but I left with a clear reminder:
Having the tools is one thing. Learning to use them properly is where the real progress comes.