閱讀筆記 #3 — 如果你沒故事，再多資源也沒用

🇨🇳🇬🇧 This is a bilingual weekly newsletter.

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最近我分享了兩篇《最強的職業球團經營聖經》的閱讀筆記。

有讀者私訊我說：「內容很不錯，但那是日本，不是馬來西亞。他們那套，在這裡行不通吧？」

我理解。真的。

但我也想誠實地說一句：如果我們一開始就把自己排除在可能性之外，那我們永遠都不會走得更遠。

我們不需要照抄。但我們能不能至少學哪怕只有10%，然後套用在我們的現實裡？這是我寫這個系列的原因。

更讓我感動的是——也有不少讀者跟我說，他們對這本書很感興趣，甚至問我哪裡可以買、有沒有中文版，很可惜目前只有日文原版。

不過，只要有人還感興奮，我就會繼續分享下去。

今天要跟大家分享這本書第二章的其中一節內容，標題是：

肝心なのは「理念」「ストーリー」「パッション」

真正重要的，是「理念」、「故事」，還有「熱情」

核心觀點

建立在球隊理念基礎上的故事，是球隊永續經營的核心。

我們之前談到，島田慎二在接手千葉噴射機後，第一件事不是補強，也不是衝成績，而是定下球隊理念。

他說得很清楚：理念不是交差用的標語，而是一切的起點。

而如果沒有一個和理念相連的故事，球隊就無法感動球迷、吸引贊助商、贏得社區的信任。

成功不是奇蹟，而是來自清晰、執行力與堅持的累積。

6 個關鍵洞察（整理＋在地化）

1）每支球隊都需要一個清楚、有根的故事

故事 ≠ 口號。

「我們的目標是升上 B1」不是故事，那只是目標。

真正能打動人的故事，包含：

清晰的理念（我們為什麼存在）
明確的目標（如：「打敗豐田隊」）
對球迷有情感共鳴
能為在地社區創造價值

反思：我們不妨問問自己，我們球隊的「使命」是什麼？球隊的故事是什麼？

2）沒有行動的理念，只是裝飾品

很多球隊以為「寫出理念」就夠了，但現實是——它常常只存在牆上、簡報裡，實際上沒人管。

島田舉了個比喻：

一個學生如果真的想出國留學，就會願意兼職存錢、拒絕誘惑。如果撐不住誘惑，代表願景不夠明確、也不夠重要。

反思：我們應該問問自己，我們有沒有把理念「落實到底」的徹底行動力？只要你真的下定決心去執行、去貫徹，情勢就一定會好轉。

3）贊助商感受得到你的認真與誠意

他們看得出來：你是發自內心在經營，還是只是想拿資源。

島田說得很直接：

「熱情會滲出來。」

當別人問你：「你怎麼願意做到這種程度？」——代表他們開始相信你了。

反思：別急著讓人覺得你很厲害，先讓人感受到你是真的「很投入」。

4）球隊與營運是同一艘船

你不能只顧戰術，而忽略了品牌與財務；同樣的，你也不能只衝銷售，而忽略了球隊文化與更衣室。

領導人必須讓兩邊對齊目標——角色不同，但方向一致。只要有一邊崩盤，整艘船都會翻。

反思：很多球隊的場內與場外，像兩家公司。真正成功的，是講同一個故事的「一支球隊」。

5）募資應該在你「還沒贏」的時候就開始

當千葉噴射機喊出「打倒豐田」的故事時，他們還不算強隊，甚至還沒什麼成績。

但這個故事夠明確、有張力、有真誠——人們願意投資，願意相信。

不要等到你覺得「夠資格」，才去找合作對象。要先寫出一個讓人願意跟你走的故事。

反思：在大馬，我們可能會說：「等我們打出成績再談合作。」但這一節提醒我們：是故事先吸引資源，不是資源帶來故事。

6）你的球隊屬於這片土地，這既是優勢，也是責任

你不能在成績不好時就想要「轉場」或「放棄」。你活在這片土地上，是社區的一份子。

如果你無法讓當地人支持你、關心你——你這支球隊的根基就很薄弱。

問自己這個問題：「作為一支球隊，我們能為這個地區帶來什麼？」

反思：可能有些球隊想一開始就「全國性曝光」，卻從來沒在自己的社區種下影響力。

隱藏在這章背後的真實框架

理念 → 故事 → 認真執行 → 社區認同 → 營運成長 → 球隊成功

這不是一步登天的捷徑，而是一個穩定、紮實、可複製的成長循環。

結語：故事，是起點

你不需要幾百萬的贊助才能做出改變。

你需要的是：

一個清晰的理念
一個能讓球迷、社區、贊助商投入的故事
還有願意在沒有人關注的時候，就開始行動的勇氣

我當然知道，我們不可能100%照抄島田的模式。

但如果我們願意學 10%、落實 20%、實驗 50%，我相信會很不一樣。

這就是我持續寫這個系列的原因。

我不知道它會帶來什麼改變，但我知道，不寫，就什麼都不會發生。

如果你願意支持我繼續這樣的創作——記錄、整理、轉化這些可以為我們所用的知識與故事——我邀請你加入我剛剛開設的 The 6th Man Club。

這是一個每月大約 RM13 的支持計劃。沒有付費牆，也沒有特別獎勵，只有一句：「我挺你繼續寫下去」。

如果你曾在某一篇 newsletter 裡被某句話打動，我會很榮幸，有你成為我的第六人。

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— Jordan

🇬🇧 ENGLISH VERSION

Reading Notes #3 — From Best Text of Sports Club Management by Shinji Shimada

What Truly Matters: Philosophy, Story, and Passion

Over the past weeks, I’ve shared reading notes from this book. And yes — I’ve heard the pushback.

Some readers messaged me: “This is Japan. We’re in Malaysia. It’s a different world. Their model won’t work here.”

I get it.

But here’s my honest response: If we rule ourselves out from the start, how can we ever grow?

We don’t need to copy Japan. But if we can study their thinking, adapt even 10% of it to our context — that alone could change everything.

On the other hand, some of you have messaged asking where to buy the book, if there’s a translated version. (Sadly, no — it’s only in Japanese for now.)

So as long as you’re interested, I’ll keep sharing what I learn.

This week’s excerpt comes from another section from Chapter 2. The headline is:

肝心なのは「理念」「ストーリー」「パッション」

What Truly Matters: Philosophy, Story, and Passion

Core Insight

Stories rooted in philosophy are the foundation of sustainable team success.

When Shinji Shimada took over the Chiba Jets, he didn’t chase wins or sponsors first. He started by defining the club’s mission.

His philosophy wasn’t just a nice quote on the wall — it became the foundation for everything that followed.

Without a story that’s aligned with that philosophy, your team can’t inspire fans, attract sponsors, or earn the community’s trust.

Success isn’t a miracle. It’s the result of clarity, consistent execution, and conviction.

6 Key Takeaways (With Local Reflections)

1) Every Team Needs a Clear, Rooted Story

A story is not the same as a slogan.

“We want to join B1” is a goal, not a story.

Real stories include:

A clear philosophy (why we exist)
A bold but believable goal (e.g. “Beat Toyota”)
Emotional connection with fans
Tangible value to the local community

Reflection: We need to be honest with ourselves and ask: Do we have a “mission statement”? What is the story that fans or sponsors can rally behind?

2) A Philosophy Without Action Is Just Decoration

Most teams think writing a mission is enough. But if it only lives in a slide deck or a wall poster — it’s meaningless.

Shimada uses a powerful analogy:

A student who truly wants to study abroad will take a part-time job and skip temptations. If they cave to distractions, their vision wasn’t strong enough to begin with.

Reflection: Have we truly committed to living our philosophy through consistent, often uncomfortable, action?

3) Sponsors Can Feel Your Passion

They can tell if you’re serious — or if you’re just chasing a cheque.

“Passion leaks through.”

When someone asks, “Why are you willing to go this far?” — that’s the moment belief begins.

Reflection: Don’t focus on looking impressive. Focus on showing up with real intent. That builds trust faster than hype.

4) The Team and Business Are One Ship

You can’t focus only on coaching and ignore the front office. You can’t push sponsorships and neglect culture and development.

Leadership must align both sides — different roles, same direction. If one fails, the other sinks too.

Reflection: Too many clubs treat marketing, sponsorship, and basketball ops like separate companies. Real success comes when everyone’s telling the same story.

5) Fundraising Should Start Before You Start Winning

When the Chiba Jets launched their “Beat Toyota” narrative, they weren’t a strong team.

But the story had clarity, tension, and sincerity — and that was enough to get people to believe.

Don’t wait to “deserve” sponsors. Create a story that earns belief now.

Reflection: In Malaysia, we might say, “Let’s win first, then find sponsors.” This section flips that thinking: story comes first — results follow.

6) Your Team Belongs to the Region. That’s Your Advantage — and Your Responsibility

You can’t abandon your community when results aren’t great. You exist in a place. That place is your foundation.

If the local community doesn’t care about your team, your roots are weak.

Ask yourself:

“What do we want to bring to our region — beyond basketball?”

Reflection: Some teams rush to go “national,” but forget to build credibility where they are. Local loyalty isn’t a constraint. It’s your leverage.

The Real Framework (Hidden but Powerful)

Philosophy → Story → Serious Execution → Community Buy-in → Business Growth → Team Success

This isn’t a shortcut. It’s a long-game, high-trust, repeatable system.

And it works — when you work it.

Final Thought

You don’t need millions in sponsorship to start making a difference.

You need:

A clear mission
A story people can believe in
And the courage to act — even when nobody’s watching yet

I know we can’t copy everything Shimada did.

But if we apply even 20%, we might finally build something Malaysia basketball has always needed:

A team with roots. A club with soul. A movement with momentum.

That’s why I’m continuing this series. I don’t know if it will change anything.

But I do know this — if we don’t start, nothing changes.

If you’ve found value in these newsletters, if you believe stories and ideas like this deserve to be told and shared — I’d love to invite you to become a part of The 6th Man Club.

It’s a monthly supporter tier (RM13 / USD 3). No paywalls, no perks.

Just a simple way of saying: “I’ve got your back — keep writing.”

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Thank you very much.