LEARFIELD’s Post

Creating effective communications team involves significant investment, yet its invaluable impact often goes unnoticed. The true value lies in its ability to strategically shape and enhance the organisation's narrative that results long-term success. A good read on it-

The brand, the brand, the brand. The University of Michigan football program is dominating on the gridiron. However, their press headlines suggest it’s time for a new playbook when it comes to hiring. In 2023 alone, three staff members were terminated or resigned after questionable behavior became public, serving as a distraction for the team, while also tarnishing the program's reputation. These setbacks might have been mitigated with the implementation of a robust hiring due diligence process and an insider threat program. In January, the co-offensive coordinator was terminated after it was uncovered that he gained access to computer accounts belonging to other people. In May, the new assistant director of football recruiting resigned after only three days when it was uncovered that he had liked a number of insensitive and racist posts on social media in the past on his public personal Twitter account. In October, a low-level staffer chose to resign before he could be terminated for running an unsanctioned spyring to steal teams’ signals. The analyst's background and social media footprint portrayed him as a fervent superfan, equipped with a manifesto and aspirations of one day leading the team. In an era where the brand is as crucial as the game (business) itself, robust vetting procedures, due diligence, and an insider threat analysis become paramount. Relying on 20th-century processes for hiring and due diligence is no longer enough. Embrace the future with a comprehensive and modern approach to hiring—incorporating behavioral analysis, advanced social media and online presence vetting, and monitoring. Imagine the impact a thorough employee vetting program could have had for Michigan to steer clear of unwise hires and potential pitfalls before they hit the headlines. It's time to align your hiring practices with the demands of the 21st century. Let Banyan Risk Group ensure your team is not just winning on the field but excelling in every aspect, starting with the right people on your roster. #BrandProtection #TeamExcellence #DueDiligence #HireRight #HRBestPractices #TalentAcquisition #EthicalHiring #BackgroundCheck #EmploymentScreening #BrandIntegrity #ProtectYourBrand #VetBeforeYouHire #HireSmart #universityofmichigan https://lnkd.in/e-eQzixS

5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase This is a practical roadmap to build a world-class brand team. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024 “When I served as P&G's VP of Marketing, Ed was building a stellar career in brand building. Like his other books on Brand-building, Ed digs into a deep well of practical experience and marketing excellence to help you hire and build a world-class team. Ed's three-book set should be on the shelf of every serious marketer.” https://lnkd.in/guhR3SsF

🏒 Rethinking the Sports Metaphor in Sales: From Competition to Collaboration 🏅 Growing up, I spent countless hours on the ice playing hockey. Season after season, I found myself on teams that struggled, yet somehow rocketed to the top during the playoffs. Those nail-biting, come-from-behind victories were always punctuated by the quintessential between-period pump-up speeches. I'm very familiar with them, and I understand how they can galvanize a team. What I can't quite grasp is how they apply to sales. It seems that every sales organization out there is obsessed with drawing parallels to sports. "We’re going to pound them in the second half!" is a rallying cry I’ve heard more times than I can count. But every time, I’m left scratching my head. Pound who? The client? The competition? How exactly does this work? Let’s break this down. In sports, the objective is clear: outscore the opponent. There's physicality, direct confrontation. But in sales, the playing field is far more nuanced. We aren’t tackling clients or body-checking competitors into the boards (at least, I hope not). So, how does this aggressive, competitive language fit? Imagine telling a client, "We’re going to pound you in Q3!" Not exactly the best way to foster a positive relationship. And while envisioning ourselves as a team overpowering our competition might be motivating in theory, in practice, sales success relies more on building trust, understanding needs, and providing value. The real goal isn’t to "pound" anyone but to create win-win situations. We need to shift our mindset from adversarial to collaborative. Instead of gearing up for a figurative fight, we should focus on strategies that highlight empathy, listening, and problem-solving. Between periods, we would review and strategize, learning from what we observed. "Cover number 34, keep the puck away from him as much as possible." Consider this: instead of the speech urging us to dominate, what if we drew inspiration from the team huddle? A moment to strategize, support each other, and refine our approach. This metaphor is much more applicable to sales. It’s about collaboration, unity, and a shared vision for success. “I encourage you all to read Tim’s last proposal; he does an excellent job of stating our value to his customer.” So, while sports metaphors can be catchy and energizing, let’s not lose sight of what truly drives success in sales. It’s not about pounding anyone into submission. That's energy without direction. It’s about fostering relationships, understanding our clients’ needs, and working together towards common goals. #SalesStrategy #CollaborationOverCompetition #EmpathyInSales #Teamwork #Leadership #TrustAndValue #SuccessInSales #AMF

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence at Character World Brands: A Journey of Achievements and Collaborations! I was really pleased to share in the fantastic celebration with Danny Schweiger & Mark Schweiger and James Walker and of course the amazing team as they mark a remarkable 25 years of business success! This silver jubilee is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment that has defined this incredible journey. Having been a part of this dynamic company for the past 13 years, I can say with immense pride that Character World Brands is not just a company; it's a family of passionate individuals working together towards a common goal. The last year, in particular, as an HR consultant, has allowed me to witness firsthand the extraordinary efforts put in by the entire team to ensure the continued growth and success of the business. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the legacy of Danny & Mark and to have played a role in shaping its thriving work culture. The dedication and resilience of the directors have been instrumental in steering the ship through various challenges, always with a vision for the future. A special shoutout to the incredible directors Adam Howarth,Tim Kilby,Max Paterson, Hayley Maguire, Dan Appleby whose leadership has been the driving force behind this 25-year journey. Your vision, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence have set the standard for success. And of course, none of this would be possible without the even more amazing colleagues who have been the heartbeat of this organization. It's the collective effort, shared goals, and collaborative spirit that have propelled Character World Brands to the heights it enjoys today. Each team member, past and present, has played a crucial role in achieving milestones and overcoming obstacles. As the business celebrates this significant milestone, let's take a moment to reflect on the past 25 years of accomplishments, learning, and growth. Here's to the next chapter of success, innovation, and shared achievements at Character World Brands! Cheers to 25 years of excellence, and here's to many more! #teamwork #licensing #success #hrconsultancy

The Detroit Lions. How did a team with such a long history of losing turn the tide? It started with a shake-up in mindset. Detroit Lions President Rod Wood recognized the failure of replicating past powerhouse franchises and focused on building a unique Detroit Lions identity. Four steps to greatness: Legends Return: The Lions brought back legends Chris Spielman and Barry Sanders as advisors, injecting veteran wisdom into the search for a new GM and coach. Collaborative Culture: The Lions prioritized a GM and coach who could work as partners, fostering a culture of respect and open communication. Disrupting the Norm: The team hired their GM (Brad Holmes) and coach (Dan Campbell) simultaneously rather than following the usual sequential hiring process. Unconventional Backgrounds: Holmes, with his journalism background and talent-spotting prowess, and Campbell, a former Lion known for his player rapport, brought fresh perspectives. This unique approach led to a winning combination and a historic season. Could your communications team benefit from a similar shake-up? As a geostrategist and geopolitical business communications advisor, I understand the power of fresh approaches in today's volatile world. Caracal helps clients navigate complexity with intelligence, strategy, and education. Let's explore how we can give your communications team a winning edge, just like the Detroit Lions. Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly. -Marc

Baard and Partners | Professional Sports Players for Senior Roles (ex-athletes) We have a client, who a couple of years ago had a very specific request. Baard and Partners – please find us a Sales Director who started off their career as a professional sports player. They did give us some reasoning for their request and I would like to share that and more below. Why appoint ex-athletes in senior corporate roles: Their natural leadership style is servant leadership. This style cultivates a culture of trust, inclusiveness and one of unselfishness. They understand and have been taught the importance teamwork and communication. They are driven, dedicated and have perseverance. They are up for a challenge and knows the value of preparation. Continuous improvement and working towards a common goal come naturally to them. They are teachable and accept constructive criticism well. They are competitive and will put in the hard work to succeed. They are motivated by achievement and success. The transition from athlete to corporate is not always smooth sailing but when done right it can have a great impact on the culture, team dynamics and ultimately the bottom line. The above might be somewhat stereo typical and not applicable to all ex-athletes but by appointing Baard and Partners to execute a search mandate we will ensure that the qualities and skills required are met. Standing by, Tinus Baard tinus@baardandpartners.co.za

This Is Not About Sports. Let's go to the tape. 🎥 **** Let me begin this post by stating my belief this man should have been a head coach three years ago. I'm not writing this for debate. Some of you are going to share your views on this point below, and I am going to ignore them. 😉 Okay, let's get to the clip. *** "My Job Is To Be Very Observant" (:18) Let's be clear: ✅ There's a difference between looking and seeing. ✅ There's a difference between seeing and noticing. An extra layer of attention and intention is required to notice what's going on with your team and inside of your players. I always come back to Heifitz's balcony vs. dance floor distinction. Elite leaders walk up and down the staircase that separates macro (revenue, LTV, CAC, churn) from micro (mood, sentiment, fear, uncertainty). ⬆️ Managers find it easier to stay on the balcony. ⬇️ Leaders spend time below. ↕️ Elite leaders go back and forth. **** "My Job Is To Make Sure That I'm Doing The Best Possible Job Of Overcommunicating Clarity. I Take A Tremendous Amount Of Pride In That." (:50) Keynote speaking and advising corporate boards allow me to get an inside look at the management structure of companies in myriad sectors. This is what I see: Managers complain among themselves and cower in their communication to their teams. It's true. I don't miss many things about the National Football League but there is one thing... At every second of the day, whether equipment manager or head coach, you knew exactly where you stood. Clarity in expectations and performance was the only currency that mattered. The corporate world seeks to emulate parts of our society (namely sports and the armed services) by embracing a "battle mentality". I think this approach is misguided (and that's a post for another day) but for the moment, let's entertain a connection between the two worlds. The best way to prepare your team is through relentless communication. Here's what it looks like in the NFL: 1) Tell them 2) Show them 3) Ask them what's unclear 4) Ask them to tell you what you told them 5) Ask them to show you what you showed them 6) Empower them to act unilaterally 7) Notice performance 8) Provide feedback 9) 🔁 This is how you prepare your people to be elite. **** "What's Personal Is That I Want Us To Win" (1:01) Too many work relationships slip into ad hominem attacks. It gets too personal. Elite leaders critique action instead of personality. Winning is personal to them because it reflects on their ability to execute a game plan. Be elite. Stay In The Deep End. #ThisIsNotAboutSports #LinkedInSports

There is a shift away from the Command + Control coaching to a version that is interpersonal and uses communication steeped in emotional intelligence. Daron K. Roberts, J.D. likes to point this out. How powerful would it be if we embraced this in other industries, schools and homes? #emotionalintelligence #coaching #communication

5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase This is a practical roadmap to build a world-class brand team. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024 “When I served as P&G's VP of Marketing, Ed was building a stellar career in brand building. Like his other books on Brand-building, Ed digs into a deep well of practical experience and marketing excellence to help you hire and build a world-class team. Ed's three-book set should be on the shelf of every serious marketer.” https://lnkd.in/guhR3SsF