| I may not have watched as many games as I wanted | | | | stay in the game of business. |
| to during the FIFA World Cup 2010 Edition but I could | | | | 5. There is no mountain too big - Teams that came |
| not help but get inspired from the general and | | | | into the world cup appearing like the obvious giants |
| sometimes specific observations from the way teams | | | | that everyone needed to beat did not make it past the |
| handled themselves in this competition. Interestingly, | | | | quarter finals. I spoke to many people at the onset of |
| inspiration for this article came again from a | | | | the games and everyone tipped Argentina and Brazil. |
| Germany-Agentina game where Germany walloped | | | | These were the mountains that everyone else was |
| Argentina by a convincing 4 goals to nil. A soccer | | | | supposed to climb get a hold of the coveted prize. The |
| game is just like a normal business scenario where | | | | same mountains had to bow out of the competition in |
| two companies are battling for an order from a client. | | | | an embarrassing fashion. Similarly in business, it does |
| The one who wins this particular time may not | | | | not matter how threatening and "insurmountable" the |
| necessarily win the next time. The game has | | | | other more established businesses are; you can win |
| customers who want the best from their preferred | | | | the game if you get your act together and fight to the |
| supplier (the team they support). The customers | | | | end. |
| sometimes think they know it all and hence they | | | | 6. Focus on your core business - World Cup 2010 was |
| always criticize the suppliers and yet their criticism | | | | unique about the fact it had a unique instrument code |
| does not get close to those providing the service. All | | | | names the "vuvuzela" which resembles a trumpet. This |
| they do in a soccer match is complain from a distance | | | | is a very noisy instrument which the soccer authorities |
| how they could have done it better given the chance. | | | | almost thought of banning at the start of the |
| The strikers in a game are people who attack the | | | | competition. If you are a player on the ground my |
| market such as sales and marketing people. The | | | | advice is that you need to focus on what you have to |
| midfield comprises of those who create opportunities | | | | do. Forget about the noise coming from the |
| for the strikers, middle management does that. The | | | | competition's bay. Focus on the project and hand and |
| defense line is senior management and accountants | | | | finish it. Do not be deterred by how loud they blow |
| that defend the vision and finances and ensure the | | | | their trumpet. In business I have often been moved and |
| stability of the team. All three levels are crucial to | | | | shaken whenever I saw my competition with full scape |
| ensure the vision advances forward. I draw more | | | | adverts in the paper or a series of billboards. These |
| lessons from the inspiration from soccer. | | | | were trumpets being blown by Public Relations and |
| 1. Familiarity can be dangerous - In the world cup, | | | | Marketing departments. Whenever I felt defeated, it |
| teams complained about a new ball that was created | | | | would always seem fair to quit and possibly leave the |
| for this competition code named "Jabulani". | | | | bigger firms to overtake the market. When I focused |
| Commentators have mentioned that this is the first | | | | on the clients I had, I realized I could still build precept |
| round ball where a great amount of research was | | | | upon precept with those I had. |
| done. People struggled with this new normal ball as | | | | 7. Have fair play - give others a chance too - I |
| they were used to the abnormal ones. In business, | | | | watched with great anticipation for the outcome of the |
| when you are so used to the wrong normal, you will | | | | Germany- Argentina game. I did see a lot of fair play, |
| find it hard to adjust when reality comes knocking. | | | | clean passing without infringements on the opponent. |
| During the economic meltdown, one could make | | | | However, Germany did not exercise fair play on the |
| money in Zimbabwe anyhow and lots of it for that | | | | score line. It got to a point where I really felt for |
| matter. Shortcuts became the normal way of doing | | | | Argentina that I wished Germany would allow them at |
| business deviating many from core business. When | | | | least a goal even intentionally but Germany wanted to |
| the real economy came with the dollarization, many | | | | set the record straight; that they were the better team |
| players failed to adjust accordingly to the correct | | | | by banging in a resounding 4 goals with Argentina on |
| normal. Businesses were shut down, some took their | | | | the receiving end. Now that is not fair. In the field of |
| cars to the streets to try illegal transportation as "taxi | | | | business, it almost sounds unfair but you cannot be the |
| operators". They mourned and complained how unfair | | | | one getting all the orders. Be human enough and give |
| this new normal was to all those who were not used. | | | | other players a chance. This is easier said than done |
| 2. Experience is however the best teacher - There is | | | | however as all businesses always wish they could get |
| no teacher who delivers lectures better than | | | | all the business. |
| experience. With more and more games that were | | | | 8. Be determined to be consistent all the way - |
| played, players got more used to the technical | | | | Consistency pays off in the end. Germany were |
| characteristics of the first round ball in history. People | | | | consistent from the first game meeting the target of a |
| had to go through a learning phase in the initial games | | | | minimum four goals in each game. The consistency |
| but their exposure and experience with the ball got | | | | was in the game plan, team work not individual talent |
| better with each game. Complaints that were raised at | | | | shows, fast calculated and coordinated moves and |
| the beginning faded away with time. More goals were | | | | regular shots on target. If you have a winning formula, |
| realized and confidence levels increased. In the field of | | | | you don't need to change it. Be consistent all the way. |
| business, it may take a new sales person a few | | | | Can your customers expect a consistent service all |
| months to come to terms with the product line they | | | | the time? Fluctuations in service delivery can cost you |
| are selling. Once the experience grows, they can begin | | | | in the end. If you are known for excellence and quality |
| to sell without deep thinking. Companies are always | | | | service, then maintain that consistently even in all your |
| interested in people who have gathered enough | | | | branch networks such that your customers can |
| experience in specific roles. | | | | predict you service delivery without missing or doubting. |
| 3. Over confidence can let you down - Teams that | | | | 9. Uncoordinated individual skill can be a weakness - It |
| went into the World Cup showing a high level of over | | | | is good to have a lot of skilled people in your team. |
| confidence had to bow down unexpectedly. | | | | However this can be a weakness if everyone decides |
| Confidence is important. Over confidence can have a | | | | to show case their own skills at the expense of a |
| negative effect that you take others for granted. I | | | | coordinated effort to win the game. People rarely |
| watched penalty takers who were very casual about | | | | speak about the individual expertise and footwork. |
| their assignment as they showed a great deal of | | | | What sticks in the minds of everyone who watches is |
| overconfidence and arrogance. With over confidence, | | | | the final score-line. Who won the games and by what |
| you begin to assume that you will simply "walk past" | | | | margin? Germany played as a team from the first |
| you obstacle not realizing that the seemingly small, | | | | game. They never desired that one person be |
| inexperienced, under dogs can turn the tables. As a | | | | showcased but everyone played with the team |
| professional and business person, you cannot afford | | | | objective in mind; to win convincingly. You may have |
| be over confident. Sometimes a competitor you think | | | | the sharpest university graduates in your team at |
| is a mere walk over is tougher on the inside. Never | | | | work; if they do not work towards the team's success |
| make assumptions even about the smallest | | | | then you will keep kitting below the target all the time. |
| competitor. Be at your usual best regardless of the | | | | When people set aside their own desire for fame and |
| limitations you see in others. You never know what | | | | individual recognition and work towards a team |
| backup and bounce-back mechanisms other | | | | recognition and success then success is guaranteed. |
| companies have. There is a fine line between over | | | | 10. Don't claim leadership - Show it - It is easy to make |
| confidence and arrogance. You cannot afford to be | | | | claims of how good your team is until they go into the |
| anywhere close to them. | | | | field. You may claim that you are the leader but true |
| 4. Competition is necessary - Do not despair when | | | | leadership in the field of football is seen on the |
| your competition scores. It is unfortunate however that | | | | scoreboard. I have come across many companies |
| there can only be one winner who advances forward | | | | who claim that they are the leaders in their markets, |
| to the next round. If you do not win the game, your | | | | they offer the best services, the give the customer |
| turn will come. It is not time to bury your head in the | | | | quality products and so on. These claims are seen on |
| sand. Just realize that each game has its lessons. | | | | the walls and company profiles displayed as vision, |
| Each defeat is supposed to create in you a bounce | | | | mission and values. Instead of telling people how good |
| back strategy. Competition teaches you not to take | | | | you are, they are better off experiencing your service |
| your business for granted. In business, you need | | | | at first hand. Everyone can see the signs of a |
| competition more than you can ever imagine. When | | | | successful market leader through the volumes of |
| you provide a service in a monopoly format, | | | | business they make and the availability of enough |
| customers may receive a raw deal and not see it. | | | | profit for expansion and other charitable work. Show |
| Only when a more excellent player comes on board | | | | the leadership you claim to have rather than just speak |
| will customers receive fair value. There can only be | | | | about it. |
| one winner per tender or order. Your order is coming, | | | | |