Think of the great sports franchises in the world. What do they all have in common? Aside from a staggeringly high payroll and stars that make more in a year than most of us will make in a lifetime, these franchises have mastered the art and science of team building. As far too many talent-laden flops have shown in the sports world, signing great individual talents is one thing, but actually being able to mold the players they draft and sign into a cohesive dream is something else – and the stuff of champions.
It is precisely that lesson in team-building we can all learn from, which is why you’ll want to take a minute to study these tips on how the best teams make it to the top.
Grow a Positive Culture
Great teams rise and fall. That’s just the way of sports, teams, and fans understand, and they can tolerate a bad year or two at the end of a string of excellence. What is intolerable and far more unacceptable is locker room drama that destroys a talented team or ensures it never gets off the ground in the first place. Companies face the same challenge, and likewise, need to ensure that they maintain a positive corporate culture.
That culture and daily tone starts at the top. Dysfunctional ownership has ruined more than one franchise. If you want your company to embody ethical values, you’ll need to do so yourself.
Technology Is Key
Since Billy Beane and the birth of Moneyball, advanced analytics have been all the rage in the sports world. Today, that’s been taken a step further with advanced computer models and trackers, which can calculate out those algorithms, giving teams an increased chance of victory. You’ll likewise want to take advantage of HR databases and various software to store and analyze data.
Train Them up
The best teams know how to draft and cultivate their own talent. They also know how to take lesser players and train them up to perform the tasks needed for victory. You need to be able to do the same. Patience and employee training programs are your friend.
With these steps, you can turn your company into the next great corporate champion.