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Run Rocket Run founders unpack how determination, teamwork, and preparation are the key pillars of business success.
Ahead of the New Broker Academy 2025, Rodney Cottam and Chris Paterson of Run Rocket Run are showcasing how brokers can turn military and sporting mental disciplines into practical tips for building a scalable business.
Like elite athletes or military teams, successful brokers thrive in a high-pressure environment that demands split-second decisions, laser focus, and relentless follow-through, the duo said.
Both broking and elite performance rely on “drive and determination” as the key components of success, whether it’s a market shift or changing play on the field, they said.
“You need to have a plan and break down the plan to execute smaller tasks to support the broader objective,” said the pair.
In broking, as in sport or the military, sustainable success is a long-term game and requires strategy, grit, and fierce consistency, they said.
“You can’t achieve everything at once,” they said.
“There will be plenty of times when it’s hard, will feel like you’re not making progress but you’ll need to be persistent and determined to stay the course.”
Acting fast, pivoting your strategy, and adapting to change are critical in high-stakes environments, according to the Run Rocket Run founders.
“If something doesn’t work, adapt, improvise and overcome,” they said.
“When making mistakes, you need to learn from them, grow and improve.”
Additionally, Cottam and Paterson highlighted effective teamwork as critical to business resilience and scalability.
“Working with and as a team” is key to success, they said.
“Unless you want to do everything yourself which isn’t scalable you need to rely on a team,” the pair said.
Deloitte studies have previously found that organisations that prioritise teamwork are five times more likely to witness employment growth, twice as likely to increase profits, and twice as likely to outperform competing businesses.
The reports estimated the worth of these benefits as a $46 billion per year boost to Australia’s economy.
Further, preparation is a crucial component of high performance in any discipline.
“Preparation is a key part of performing anywhere and this needs to be applied to have a successful business,” the pair told The Adviser.
“The military prepares relentlessly for missions, training is constant so that when you’re in a do-or-die situation you know exactly how to respond.
“Similarly, in sport, you need to train, ensure your body is prepared and be at your peak for competition.”
Just as elite athletes and military teams rely on preparation, implementing this technique is often what separates top-performing brokers from the competition. However, knowing the right strategies is only part of the success equation, with results dependent on the level of effort you invest, the Run Rocket Run founders told The Adviser.
“Ultimately, you are in control of your success,” they said.
“Your success will be determined by the work you put in and commit to.
“We all have choices to make and can improve by consistently putting our best effort forward to make positive improvements.”
New Broker Academy 2025
You can hear more from Paterson and Cottam about how you can build a resilient and scalable business at the New Broker Academy.
Run in partnership with principal partner Bendigo Bank Broker, the New Broker Academy unites leading brokers for a dynamic day of practical insights, designed for both new and established brokers.
The free-to-attend event will take place in the following locations:
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Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at Brisbane Watersedge, Brisbane
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Thursday, 19 June 2025 at Le Montage, Sydney
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Thursday, 26 June 2025 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Melbourne
Click here to register for the free event.
For more information about the conference, including agenda and speakers, click here.
[Related: Advice for new brokers from elite brokers]
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