5 Business Takeaways from Super Bowl XLVIII
Super Bowl Sunday has become so big that many in America believe it should actually be a national holiday. It is a spectacle that started as a family-and-friends gathering and now has permeated the workplace, with companywide parties, pick-em boxes and other festivities.
Super Bowl Sunday has become so big that many in America believe it should actually be a national holiday. It is a spectacle that started as a family-and-friends gathering and now has permeated the workplace, with companywide parties, pick-em boxes and other festivities.
Non-football and football fans alike participate in the festivities; if not for the game itself, then either for the half-time show or overhyped commercials. At the very least, most everyone knows which team is playing and which team wins.
For this year's Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVIII, the favored Denver Broncos took on the underdog Seattle Seahawks. And to the surprise of many, the Seahawks crushed the Broncos, 43-8. To say the game was terrible is an understatement, but there are a few takeaways for business leaders:
1. Experience doesn’t always get the job done: The Broncos had as quarterback Peyton Manning, a seasoned player who has been to the Big Game before, while the Seahawks had some 5 foot, 9-inch guy named Wilson. Also, the Seahawks is one of the youngest teams in the league in terms of players' ages. In the end, they were faster and stronger, and dominated their more experienced opponents. The lesson: While experience always has value, organizations should not ignore the talent youth can bring to the table.
2. Attitude matters: The Seahawks had swagger, the Broncos didn’t. While many professional athletes take boasting too far and bring far too much attention to themselves, the Seahawks came across as more confident leading up to the game. As all sales professionals know, confidence is infectious and equals results.
3. Mistakes cost: This goes for football and business: From the opening play of the game to the fourth quarter, the Broncos made mistake after mistake, and that was the main reason the Broncos lost the game. It started with a bad snap that resulted in surprise safety and escalate into missed tackles, interceptions and fumbles. Every business professional knows that your competition will always capitalize on your mistakes. Your customers will be forgiving only for so long.
4. Having fun counts: It has been said quite a few times that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll always looks as though he is having fun. He is a good coach, especially with young talent, but he is often seen genuinely enjoying himself on the sidelines. That helps create a relaxed atmosphere. Football is an extremely disciplined and serious sport. Business owners also need to be just as serious about their businesses. However, enjoying what you do many times reflects in how well you do it.
5. Hype is just usually just that, hype: The two best teams squared off and it was a blowout. The biggest stage in the world—the halftime show—was a yawn fest (in my opinion). The multi-million dollar commercials won’t really cause anyone to act on impulse and buy anything. Super Bowl XLVIII overpromised and underdelivered, across the board. Business owners, take that to heart. That is not the way you want to build your brand. Instead, set reasonable expectations and overdeliver. That is always better business.
