MARKETING
Marketing Lessons From Soccer
By Joe Nyutu
Imagine as I head to 5th floor , a half a century of years , I have found myself approached to become a member of a management board of a small football club called Rising Duma Football club and sister Rising Duma Queens FC because the board says I can mentally prepare the team on life skills , emotional intelligence and mind mastery during a game .
Notice on attending and seeing an array of matches , there are a number of lessons for us in the marketing fraternity to take home . Remember I have learned a thing or two about the game , and I am finding that there are many other lessons that also apply to marketing . I have assembled what I see from my world and shared hereunder for you to ponder .
Have the Right Team
As in sports involving a ball including rugby , handball and American soccer , the objective is to keep it out of your own goal and put it into the opponents ’ goal posts . To do so , one needs a team with expertise , not only their position , but also the surrounding positions , as they support each other . In the long-term , a team of seasoned ensemble players will always win by knowing each other ’ s style .
For example , I have watched the beautiful passes that the midfielder will put on the foot of a sprinting forward . Then , watch the forward ’ s great ball handling and shooting skills . Out of the two teams under Rising Duma , the boys team has team jelling issues which is costing us goals while the Rising Duma Queens seems to have it together hence always harvesting goals .
Know your brand positioning
As a player or marketing team member , one needs to be the last player on defense and the first player on offense . Be reminded it is a hand-to-hand combat . As a player you
Remember forwards are the sales people of a soccer team . They can be quirky , hard to manage , and , certainly , will not score or sell every time . You can yell at them all you want , and in the final analysis , they are the experts on scoring opportunities . They need to be supported at mid-field by serving them the ball , read qualified prospects . have to learn more about your opponents ( competition ) by keeping them from scoring than by any other means . Learn how to consistently stop them . It is also quite demoralizing for the opposing team to stop a great shot or sales opportunity by your head start marketing campaigns .
Watch the whole field
As a marketing team at times you may require to fit into the shoes of a goalkeeper . From the back you can see the whole game , and how the players on both sides interact . The best way to keep the opponent out of your defense area is to neutralize them at midfield , which is where scoring opportunities start , and gain momentum . Most teams rely on particular play makers or salespeople for tactical competitive prowess . Understand their play makers ’ tactics , disrupt their plans and ensure the opponent cannot get anything going .
Work it backwards . Conversions , funnels and then channels
Notice that the most effective players you are seeing on the field seem to have one thing in common . The player is doing what he has to do immediately . Lionel Messi , that famous goal scoring player calls it “ seize every opportunity .” You may think at first that the player is smart and thinking on their feet but it makes sense since the decision looks informed . They seem to have taken into consideration all the factors , where other rivals are standing , which teammates have a good chance for
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