Minding Your Own Brand

Is your team ready to win?

By Dave Lubelczyk

PLAY BALL! Baseball season is about to begin. All winter, teams have been making deals to acquire the best possible talent. However, star power alone doesn’t win a championship. As Babe Ruth said, “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.” Therefore, smart teams have spent spring training working on creating a team culture, developing team dynamics and molding their group of stars into a cohesive unit who will work together to win a championship this year.

I had the privilege to hear Red Sox skipper Terry Francona speak about the 2004 championship Red Sox. He talked about how their historic and odds defying wins were as much about team chemistry and off the field team bond as it was about on the field talent and heroics.

Companies can learn from this.

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This Month's Recommended Reading

Get 'em While They're Hot

How to Attract, Develop, and Retain Peak Performers in the Coming Labor Shortage

by Tony Zeiss

Buy the Book

The Forgotten Customers

By Ed Drozda

Driven by an ad offering a 40% savings on a much needed piece of office equipment I ventured to the store. I found what I was looking for but it did not appear to be on sale. I asked the nearest employee if the item really was on sale; he promptly went to ask the manager. It was very apparent by the animated discussion that ensued that the manager was not thrilled with the inquiry and upon his return, the employee apologetically advised me that the item was indeed 40% off.

On my way out of the store (with the item) I came across the manager who made a point of telling me that his stock person had messed up the display, but that the employee who helped me should have known better.

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