A week has gone by since SuperBowl LVII ended. The world did not end. The world did not change because of the sports extravaganza. Some are still talking about the unique commercials and others are concerned about the half-time show. Oh well. Life does go on. So, what can we learn from the experience to help us in business? I’ll keep this short, for now.
- Coaches rely on a one-page, color-coded game plan to keep decisions easy and keep track of what’s happening. It’s their form of process documentation and key performance indicators.
- In the off season they do a lot of scouting for talent and observing their opponents/competitors. Before the big games, they do in-depth reviews of their competitors and decide how to play them. Every business could do a better job of checking out the competition.
- They know others are watching them intently, so they hold that one-page plan up in front of their mouth to avoid others reading their lips to get an idea of what they are planning to do. It might feel good to announce things and take pride in where you are going. Then again, it might be better to keep it to yourself a bit longer.
- You WILL fumble. The big game had a missed field goal from reasonable distance and the quarterback lost a ball that allowed the opposing team to run it into the end zone. Some might say those were deciding factors in who won. Others will know that things happen and roll with the punches.
- Similarly, bad calls WILL happen. I see the press still talking about was the lineup correct, was it a catch or an incomplete.
- Learn from those bad calls. Review them to see what made the outcome unclear to the referee, or the investor.
- Sometimes you have to go outside the normal box, but still within the rules of the game, such as the two point conversion.
- You can get really good at sneaky moves. Who ever heard of the success rate of the Eagles for the quarterback sneak?
- We’ve all seen it this year where brawls have occurred after a game. Don’t be a sore loser.
- Get better than your competitors. Don’t get even.
- Something we don’t do enough in the business world is physically celebrate. Sports winners are ecstatic about the accomplishment. They raise their arms in celebration, high five their compatriots, do crazy dances for the camera. Consider how you can physically celebrate business achievements.
- Advertising is core to business. There were a lot of eyeballs anticipating the crazy and expensive commercials. For your business, how can you create anticipation and where are the eyeballs you want to see you? It’s somewhere on line for sure and likely at some conference you attend.
- And last, for now, play by the rules. Bankruptcy is the ultimate penalty for not doing things right and well.
