308: “I win, Google me!” - What Business Owners Should Learn from Coach Cignetti

Two years ago, the Hoosiers of Indiana University were losing every game. Then, in January this year, something remarkable happened - they became the 2025–26 College Football Playoff National Champions!

Eric has been inspired by this incredible transformation, guided by Coach Cignetti's leadership. What stood out for him was the total absence of hype, excuses, or a victim mentality. Instead, Coach Cignetti relies on three pillars: standards, preparation, and accountability—the very principles that drive success for any business owner, and yet, they are often the things we neglect.

So, inspired by the Hoosiers’ journey, Eric shares five ideas today- not to challenge you, but to inspire you and get you thinking.

The Anti-Excuse Philosophy

Winners don’t explain—they execute. Slow markets, price-sensitive clients, societal shifts, and global events will always exist and cannot be controlled. What you can control is how you react to them. When finding excuses becomes a habit, the excuse itself starts to function as the business model. So, instead, focus on moving forward, facing reality, and finding new opportunities.

Standards Are Not Aspirations

Standards are practical, not theoretical. They are evident in the business's day-to-day operations. They define what “good” means, how fast you respond, what quality looks like, which clients you accept, and how disciplined you are financially. Values only matter if they are lived and enforced. So, if you’re tolerating average behavior, you are actively training your business to lose. 

Preparation Beats Motivation

Preparation matters more than motivation. High performers rely on repetition, fundamentals, and systems rather than waiting for inspiration. Reviewing the basics, using checklists, and showing up consistently will reduce stress and improve your ability to react when the unexpected happens. Readiness comes from preparation, not from waiting for perfect conditions. Confidence is built through daily repetition, not excitement.

Culture Is What You Allow

A business's culture is defined by what you allow, who you promote, and the behavior you either allow or ignore. Allowing toxic behavior, even once, sets a standard. Culture is also reflected in boundaries, pricing, calendars, and the willingness to say no. If a business feels chaotic, it is because chaos is being allowed and rewarded.

The Scoreboard Never Lies

Results tell the truth. Your revenue and margins matter, but so does your energy, health, client quality, and sanity. Being busy is not the same as winning. The market does not reward effort. It rewards outcomes. So, if the scoreboard says you’re losing, it is time to change how you’re playing the game.  

Bio: Eric Rozenberg

Eric Rozenberg is a business coach and the founder of Event Business Formula, the only platform exclusively designed to help business owners in the meetings and events industry grow and scale sustainably. He has guided thousands of entrepreneurs to improve operations, gain clarity, and achieve lasting results. 

Before launching his coaching business, Eric spent over 20 years producing award-winning events—sales meetings, incentive trips, and conferences—for Fortune 500 companies in more than 50 countries. 

He hosts The Business of Meetings, the industry's first and largest podcast focused on business ownership, featuring over 250 episodes with top leaders and experts. 

Eric made history as the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of MPI (Meetings Professionals International). 

He is also the author of two books: Meeting at C-Level, endorsed by 20 influential industry leaders, and Before It’s Too Late, a powerful memoir about grit, family, and his journey to America. 

Eric lives in South Florida and enjoys pickleball, tennis, and Krav Maga.

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