WORLD CUP – THE ROLE OF MANAGERS AND LEADERS IN BUSINESS CONTINUITY
The World Cup is one of the greatest sporting competitions that England could be involved in, with a worldwide audience reaching almost 700 Million it is an event that will ultimately impact on the operation of business across the UK.
So, as Managers and Leaders how do we cope with this event, do we simply carry on as normal hoping that business can continue with obvious absences or do we embrace the competition and manage the issue.
Well, there are many advantages to planning for the World Cup, here are some examples:
1. Consult with your team and create a Rota allowing all staff access to World Cup matches and allowing the business to continue with an acceptable level of support
2. Install TV’s in the workplace and designate a specific area for staff to watch key matches
3. Develop a World Cup promotion relevant to your business and agree a specific bonus structure or additional time off during the competition as an added incentive, this has the added advantage of focusing staff during a difficult operational time.
4. Agree a deal with a local bar/restaurant allowing staff to watch the match and dine for a reduced rate
Of course, business does not need to embrace the competition and are perfectly entitled to carry on “business as usual”, but let’s think about this more carefully. This is a global competition and companies not planning for this event will surely have to micro manage throughout the whole competition, customers will receive a lesser service and staff will probably resent the fact that viewing of favourite matches was not be openly allowed.
As Managers and Leaders, we should treat this as any other major event and plan for business continuity, as professionals we would actively plan for any other major event such as I.T breakdown, Fire etc so let’s not treat the World Cup any differently.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln:
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."
And finally if England do succeed in the World Cup, imagine the mood of the nation, we would officially declare UK PLC open for business!
Matthew Clayton AIBC
Ambassador - The Institute of Business Consulting and Chartered Management Institute
8th June 2010
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
Comments
This could be managed by making some sort of arrangement whereby people could watch those matches in which they had a vested interest. This would be England for many, but you'd have to make a similar arrangement for your Italian, Spanish, Dutch, German, etc, employees. And what about your non-English UK nationals and other employees who aren't interested in football? We mustn't discriminate against them!
Can you see the whole thing getting messy?
I worked in a contact centre environment when the 2002 world cup was on, and many people watched the matches on the internet, without leaving their desks. If things were quiet, well and good; if not, they could always have it running in the backgroud, rather like listening to a match on the radio, as I'm sure many of us have done while working.
Some good tips there Matthew. @Jim I think if you're honest and up front with people then there's less need for them to sneak around watching matches in a clandestine manner.