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More and more of our clients come to us from beyond the borders of Virginia as our marketing services are not limited to location! For almost two years now we have worked with Genisoy Food Company, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma to build their entire Web Site, Internet marketing strategy, and now work on an ongoing basis helping get the word out about the benefits of their soy products. Genisoy is one of the largest providers of soy protein products (Genisoy) and sports nutrition (MLO) in the United States, offering consumers high quality, good tasting, affordable protein bars, shakes and snacks. Other out-of-towners:
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This month we take a fun look at the strategy of building a team, how you can turn your business into a winner by practicing some of the same focus of the NFL. |
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This is no Picnic Lunch! To some, the NFL means little more than an afternoon of male bonding and beer. But behind the glitter and lights of Sunday football games is a darker side of the game. More die-hard fans know that there is a whole lot more to the NFL than what is seen between beers on the couch. It is a ruthless game and an equally ruthless business. Players, coaches, commentators, production crews, marketers, designers, and all others involved with the sport must be the best at what they do or they won't last very long. As an example consider the mid-season firing of St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan this past season, making him the first coach in 17 years to be fired in the middle of the season without winning a single game. While considered a risky move something had to be done quickly to avoid another disastrous season. The result was a disastrous season anyway, but the point is that a tough and decisive decision was made, and if new head coach Jim Haslett doesn't turn it around quickly he will meet the same fate. Here are just a few NFL strategies that will help turn your team around. Mission First First of all your business mission must be crystal clear to everyone in the organization. In the NFL the clear mission is to score and prevent touchdowns, and tremendous resources are put in place to achieve it, including the talent necessary to do so. Organizationally there are some touchy-feely and errant schools of thought that put people first. People must not be put first. The mission must be top priority, and people are used to accomplish it. If they don't get you there you find someone who can. Have a backup Stuff happens. Players will get hurt or underperform. If they get taken out of the game either temporarily or permanently, you need to have a rock-solid backup plan and a team that will make the necessary adjustments to get behind it and make it work. Study the competition Coaches and players spend countless hours watching, studying, and even acting unethically in some recent cases to get information about their competition. Each coach and player knows ahead of time how their opponents will think and move. How well do you know your competition? The slightest edge may make the difference between a win and loss. Never let up If you want to reach the top of your game, within ethical boundaries and rules of law the game is played to be won. And there is no shame in beating the other team soundly. The reality of competition in the marketplace is that people are going to try and build a better widget than yours. Eventually they will succeed. Never stop looking for new talent There will always be up and coming talent, but much of the best talent may be being overlooked on another team. Make sure your new talent will fit in with the team New hires will always carry risk. While talented, they may also create problems. The obvious example of a potential problem hire in the NFL is Terrell Owens. After Terrell's antics with the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles still signed him. His talent helped get the Eagles to the Super Bowl, but his attitude proved too toxic to the team. After being released by the Eagles he now looks like he'll continue his self-centered, whiny and toxic attitude with the Dallas Cowboys. Special teams often make the difference These ferocious players may not be in the spotlight often but make sure they give it 100% when they are. The offense and defense normally carry the team, but many games have been won and lost by the special teams. Make sure each special teams player is treated and rewarded as an integral part of achieving the mission. Rewards The rewards for a player that brings results should be greatly rewarded. These rewards should not just be monetary. Each player is motivated differently by different rewards, and most people are not driven entirely by money. Find out what their motivational needs are and make sure you reward them accordingly. Failing to do so may create a situation where you lose him to another team. Shake Hands While important to win the game, equally important is the need to maintain relationships with those in the industry. Play the game ferociously. Play fair. And play to win. But make sure you respect the team you just beat, and don't think for a minute that they won't do whatever it takes to kick your butt and succeed the next time you meet. Lose well You lost. They were better than you. Deal with it. Suck it up, lose graciously, and get back to doing what you need to win the next time you take the field. Harboring resentments, anger or feelings of ill will toward the competition that just bested you is only self-destructive and will get you nowhere as a person or organization.
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Be Responsible. Go Green. Recycle. Visit www.TFCRecycling.com
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Visit http://woundedmarine.com/teamwm/ for information on how you can help. |
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It shouldn't be a surprise that mediocre efforts by individuals in any endeavor will lead to mediocre results at best. Conversely, those who choose to put forth the effort of a focused, uncommon drive to succeed are going to be on the winning side more often than not. This is glaringly apparent in the business of the National Football League. Like it or not, Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday was won by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and there is not a Super Bowl-winning team in history that didn't have a ruthlessly executed strategy every time they took the field. 
The NFL is a ruthless business. You succeed, and do it quickly, or you are done. End of story. No matter what aspect of the business you are in, either on the field or off, you must be the best, or you will be replaced faster than you can clean out your locker. Learn and follow some basic practices of the NFL and you can turn your company into a winning team. 
Need we say any more? TFC Recycling is Hampton Roads leader in recycling, and they have a really, really nice web site. 
We are going to hammer on this event a lot this year because it's near and dear to us…and because we can. Support Aaron, Tim and Adam on Team Wounded Marine as they raise money for our wounded heroes.