32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business [Paperback]

Earvin Magic Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2009

As a young man, Earvin “Magic” Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished. His fame as an NBA star gave him access to some of the most successful business leaders in the country. It was Earvin’s own entrepreneurial spirit that inspired them to serve as his mentors.

Earvin made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Friday’s to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Earvin continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.

32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON—known worldwide for his talent on the basketball court—has an equally impressive career off the court. As the chairman and chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, he has helped launch major business initiatives focused on revitalizing ethnically diverse urban communities by bringing brand-name businesses into them. He has been voted number one among organizations and individuals in representing the urban community, and is the celebrity most able to influence minority consumer purchasing.

For speaking engagements or to book Earvin “Magic” Johnson for your next corporate en­gagement, e-mail: [e-mail].


From the Hardcover edition.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1
The Mission
Each of us can make a difference, even if it is one street corner at a time.


My father and other entrepreneurs in my hometown, Lansing, Michigan, were my first business role models and mentors. Later, I got to know major entertainment executives such as Joe Smith of Elektra/Asylum Records and Peter Guber of Sony Pictures because they had courtside Lakers tickets. When we socialized after games, they’d ask me about basketball—and I’d pick their brains about business.
 
Still, it was J. Bruce Llewellyn, one of the most successful black men in America, who sent me off with a mission on my journey from basketball player to businessman. The son of Jamaican immigrants, he built an empire that includes one of the nation’s largest Coca-Cola distributorships, a cable and broadcasting company, and Essence magazine.
 
When we met, I got right to the point.
 
“I want to be a businessman after basketball,” I told him. “I want to make a lot of money like you.”
 
Mr. Llewellyn let me babble on like that for several minutes before he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
 
“No, Magic,” he said; “if money is all you want, there willnever be enough of it and you will never be happy. You’ve got to be about more than that.”
 
He had my attention. What did he mean?
 
“You have the opportunity to be a leader who can do great things and change people’s lives for the better,” he said. “You can be a businessman who is also a catalyst for change.”
 
This great entrepreneur offered me more than I’d bargained for. Since high school, I’d sought out advice from every successful businessperson I’d met. This was the first person who had a bigger vision for me than I had for myself.
 
A catalyst for change?
 
That was a role I’d never imagined. I thought you had to be Nelson Mandela or the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., to change the world. I learned instead that each of us can make a difference, even if it is one street corner at a time.
 
I still saw myself as an athlete—a player who performed well on the basketball court and hopefully excited a few fans. I figured once my NBA days were over I’d fade from the public view and focus on building wealth and a family.
 
God has a way of telling you what you are supposed to be doing. He gets the message out one way or another until you finally pay attention.
 
That meeting with J. Bruce Llewellyn was a defining moment. He changed my perspective by challenging me to expand my goals as a person and as an entrepreneur.
 
A few weeks after my talk with him, God sent another messenger by the name of John Mack, who led the Urban League of Los Angeles for more than thirty-five years.
 
Mr. Mack asked me to join the Urban League. Then he too challenged me.
 
“You’ve got to become a leader in this community,” he said. “You need to get involved and learn how things work.”
 
Bruce Llewellyn and John Mack opened my eyes and my mind to a much bigger world.
 
I’d thought I was living large as a member of the Lakers. Yet once I immersed myself in business and joined the Urban League, I realized that an athlete’s life offers a very limited perspective.
 
Over time, I came to understand the vision others had for me. I made the next big step in my manhood when I heeded the advice of those two strong and committed leaders. They refocused my vision for my life, and I resolved to first make a difference in the world and let the money take care of itself.
 
To accomplish that mission, I went back to school in the classroom of the real world. I was lucky. I had access to brilliant men and women of all races who gave me guidance—from Black Enterprise publisher Earl Graves to Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Hollywood superagent Michael Ovitz.
 
Even with those great minds to guide me, I had a lot to learn. Certainly, I made mistakes, and I will share what I learned from them in the pages that follow. To stay true to my mission, I will share the story of my journey from basketball to boardroom while also providing guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.
 
Before we begin, I encourage you, just as Mr. Llewellyn and Mr. Mack encouraged me, to think of yourself and your business as catalysts for positive change in your community. Make a difference, and making money will follow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Crown Business; 1 Reprint edition (December 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307461890
• ISBN-13: 978-0307461896
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book of Substance, November 29, 2008

By 

T. Green "Author Exposure" (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business (Hardcover)

If there's one word to describe the content of this book, it would be substance. I picked this book up last week after listening to Magic's radio interview with Steve Harvey. Normally, I would actively listen to book discussions and if interested, add to my list for later. However, during the discussion on the radio, Steve highlighted some of the points covered in the book such as forming business partnerships, following your entrepeneurial passion, franchising and of course financing. This book was told through Magic's experience from beginning to end. It covers finding your dream, to building your business, exiting your business and my favorite, social responsibility. I enjoyed the level of detail in his experiences. You don't normally get this from a well-known athlete/celebrity or even from other business books who's intent is to educate OR tell a story. Magic's book educates through real examples. He takes you through the journey of getting in that board room and pitching your business plan which lead to a "no" at first. Many entrepenuers can relate to that! There's cautionary advice, a host of options for you to consider as a entrepeneur. Magic did not learn everything in one day and he gladly gives credit to those who have taught him along the way. I believe because of his mission, he taught a lot of pessimistic opportunists a lot. Earvin does speak a little about how his past NBA-career may have helped or hurt during his entrepeneurial journey. It's worth the read for inspiration and direction. This book is a comprehensive look at what it takes to lead a community while pursuing entrepenuership. Ironically, given all of Magic's business dealings, I don't think I've ever read of anyone maintaining an evolving door of entrepeneurship. His mission is steady and his investments are diverse. Truly an honest read. I walked away with a full discussion with my family and a sense of additional research I needed to do as a budding entrepeneur. Again, this book has substance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Basketball Magic to Business Magic, May 20, 2009

By 

Million Dollar Book Reviews - See all my reviews

This review is from: 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business (Hardcover)

Reviewed by: Leandus Poe
C.E.O./Author/Critic
Titles: Strawberries and Blackberry Cheesecake
Diminishing Love
Companies: Million Dollar Book Reviews
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32 Ways to be a Champion in Business by Earvin "Magic" Johnson
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I can't believe how excited I was to pick up a book written by Earvin "Magic" Johnson concerning information that would make me a better businessman. I have been hearing about his business success as an entrepreneur for years. Honestly I didn't even know that this book was even out until recently. My excitement dates back to the 80's when he lead the Los Angeles Lakers to many victories. That's when I use to watch basketball all the time. It was a better ingredient of athletes back then. Magic was a nickname given to him based off of what he did as a "play-maker" on the court. Well guess what ladies and gentlemen? He is still magical.

His book 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business is no different from him being a superb play-maker. This book lists all the special ingredients to become a powerful force as an entrepreneur. I pose the question, what African American leader is giving back to his/her community? I asked that question because in my opinion giving knowledge is the ultimate gift. Earvin "Magic" Johnson gives back everything he has learned as a businessman with hopes of inspiring the future generation.

He teaches in his book not to just be concerned about making a sale. He is more consumed with showing you how to invest in your own creativity so you can establish a mission for your company. Does your company have a cause or goal? If making cash is the only reason then one might truly fail. It's not to say that we shouldn't have the goal of prosperity. It's saying that longevity and company vision will yield a greater return over time. He also urges us to get involved in our on communities. That's a resource that all African American authors, need to tap into. How many organizations are out there showing young kids how to put a book together and get it published?

The end result is that I am motivated to be a better entrepreneur and I appreciate Mr. Johnson giving us his personal knowledge to succeed.

This book is a Million Dollar Book Reviews recommended read!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Business Book Worth Reading, February 25, 2009

By 

S. Robertson "Book Collector" (Wixom, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business (Hardcover)

This was an easy, well written read. Magic covered everything from A-B. He included his journey to becoming a very successful businessman. He is certainly a respected man on and off of the court. He is also very humble and gives acknowledgement to those who have influenced hm throughout this book. He s quite the role model to all.