I am not an avid supporter of soccer and I rarely watch most matches except when my team is playing or when I really want our major opponent to lose. Nevertheless due to the hype and importance many people attached to this world cup, I decided to watch as many games as I could manage to and gathered a few valuable business lessons( they may as well not be valuable to you)
1. If by this time you haven’t stopped gambling, then you are sick and have a long way to go. This world cup has proved to be the most uncertain one with traditionally “big” teams being bundled out of the race unceremoniously. The amount of smoke being generated from “burnt bets” is literally choking and the tension generated as teams concede last minute goals is enough to cause serious heart conditions. If you haven't stopped gambling then I'm afraid you are not going to soon. Don’t say you were not told. This word cup was sent to save you albeit the hard way.
2.Speed in business is not equal to profit. I watched Japan play and oh my God, these guys were literally all over running with the ball like they’re being chased by spirits.By the end of the game, they were tired, they were sweating and they lost. Take your time, understand your business competitor, have a strategy, let your competitor run everywhere, stick to your plan and slowly but surely achieve your dream. If you must run then run all the way to the bank.
3.Two teams were needed from each group to proceed to the knockout stages. Japan and Senegal had the same points, they had the same goal difference but one team had to be dropped. Senegal bore the blunt because they had many yellow cards than Japan. And just like that they were dropped. In business small details matter. That one customer you’re treating badly, that shop you’re opening late, that smile you’re failing to give, that measurement you’re tampering with, that small change you’re remaining with; one day it may cause your business and dreams to crumble.
4.There’s one small team (I think it’s Panama) that miraculously played in the world cup. They lost all their group games. Regardless of this loss, one of their players scored one goal. The celebration that was witnessed in that field caught everyone by surprise. Whereas the whole world thought they had lost a game, the players and fans of that nation saw it as a great milestone not only to have qualified for world cup but scoring a goal regardless of whether they won or lost. That’s the spirit of a business man. Celebrate your small wins and profits regardless of how badly your competitors/critics think you’re doing.
NB; I am not encouraging anyone to start watching soccer to get lessons. In fact sometimes I wonder, how we; upright thinking, presumably sane men sit down in a crowded stuffy room until midnight watching and cheering 22 grown up men in shorts chasing a round thing. Worse still is how we celebrate or feel bad when that round thing touches the mosquito net that is at the back of the post;
The last six business lessons will come after the finals on 15TH JULY.
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