in Business

As I watched the final rounds of the NFL draft this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels between the NFL and businessess. There’s a lot of great things that the NFL does that your business could also do to help bring home a title.

The most important? Drafting.

Each and every year there is a new crop of young, hungry, passionate players dying to get a shot at the big time and the big money. Teams spend years watching and analyzing these players, herding them like cattle, measuring everything possible to ensure they’ve got the right guy.

The draft (and free agency) account for a good 80% of a team’s success in a given year. Coaching, injuries and luck all play a part, but the NFL is about talent.

Just like your business.

So why aren’t you drafting? No, I don’t mean drafting like the NFL does.

You don’t need Radio City Music Hall. You don’t press, media coverage or fast talking analysts.

All you need to do is visit your local college or university.

Every semester there are loads of young, hungry, passionate college students looking for a shot at success within your organization through an internship.Plus every year a newly minted crop of indebted servants walk across the stage with that fat laon repayment in tow.

For most businesses, especially small ones, it is likely that your turn over may be low. Most HR folks would say this is great!

I say bullshit. Turnover can be good.

Without a consistent influx of talent to push veterans how can you expect your company to grow, innovate and prosper as the “times change?”

Like Marvin Lewis, the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals who has grown tired of the antics of Chad Ochocinco and the oft under-performing quarterback Carson Palmer, who decided to go WR and QB one-two in this weekend’s draft, I’m telling you right now that if you’re not going after hungry young talent and passionate free agents to make your team better you’re nuts.

In business, as-in the NFL, we live in “win-now” times. I can’t think of any better way to find inspiration, passion, growth and innovation than in rounding out your roster with some draft picks.

And the best part?

Students don’t command multi-million dollar signing bonuses. Business cards work just fine 😉

What Do You Think!?

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