Stuart Meikle’s Post

Great reminder post from Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu below. Here's my re-write for underestimated founders: Continually overlooked and underestimated - the hurt goes on. But let's not forget the immense growth and resilience underestimated founders continue to show. Diversity-X has a community of underestimated founders, who, despite the challenges, strap on the boots and climb the mountain daily. Underestimated founders do break through and reach remarkable milestones and created incredible impact - which in itself is awe-inspiring. To all underestimated founders and their teams - congratulations on everything you have achieved to date. Keep 🧗🏾♂️! You’ve faced criticism from those who have never walked in your shoes, or are just overlooked and underestimated. When you realise that what doesn’t break you makes you stronger, this journey will help shape your future success. 🏆 Keep your heads held high… the best is yet to come 🙏 Have a great day! #founders #startups #angelinvestors #vc #ecosystem

Road To LEGACY

I was reading an old article regarding the use of football academies to build powerful teams with a unified culture that will be able to dominate domestic and international competitions. We all remember the Manchester United class of '92, the great 2008-2012 Pep Guardiola Barcelona, Johan Cruyff Ajax, and other teams who laid their foundations on youth systems. But in our days, with the huge pressure for immediate success that all big clubs face, how easy is it to trust young players to lead you to a Premier League or a Champions League title? Of course, there are always exceptional cases like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland who have the talent and, most importantly, the personality to make a difference in a top-tier team and handle the pressure of professional football competitiveness. In modern football, the most reasonable rationale to establish an academy that operates on a professional level is to scout the best talents, train them, and potentially sell them for a profit. This approach can benefit especially teams from non-top leagues who aspire to compete in European competitions and dominate domestically. It allows them to identify exceptional talent that can contribute to the senior team, secure trophies domestically, compete internationally, and importantly, provide a valuable source of income to sustain operations at a top level. Teams like Sport Lisboa e Benfica, FC Porto, Olympiacos FC, AFC Ajax, GNK Dinamo, #FKPartizan, PSV and #SãoPaulo are just a few examples. Sport Lisboa e Benfica secured €335 million from academy graduates between 2018 and 2023. This amount enables them to build a strong squad annually, competing for domestic titles while also achieving success in European competitions. RSC Anderlecht is another example from a non-top-tier European league. The club, between 2018 and 2023, managed to sell academy players for €112 million. Despite top clubs like Manchester City Football Club, Chelsea Football Club, and FC Barcelona constantly producing elite graduates from their academies, in reality, only a few manage to break into the first team. The rest are often transferred to other clubs where they begin their professional careers. So, clubs can treat their academies from a business-related aspect as their most valuable source of income while simultaneously increasing their chances to incorporate players into the first team. Additionally, investing in academies helps build a strong foundation of team culture, enhancing their fan base. #ManchesterCity #Chelsea #Barcelona #SLBenfica #Porto, #OlympiacosPiraeus #arislimassol Aris Limassol F.C #Ajax APOEL FC PAFOS FC, #DinamoZagreb OMONOIA FC Apollon Limassol FC #omonoianicosia #FKPartizan #apoel #PSVEindhoven, #SãoPauloFC

Southgate, best manager England ever had, never makes a bad decision, genius, said it all along!!! 😁 Messaged a friend of mine in jest after Saturday's penalty victory where we'd both been swearing at the TV. Maybe you were too?? But this video helps me understand a little about what is actually happening to this team... "I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch." Said Southgate about Saka in his post match interview on Saturday. "He's a special boy, he's a dream to work with, wonderful family." I love the care and affection that's so clear from the manager here. Whatever you think about Gareth, Whatever happens in the next game (or two!).. These are the words of a leader that cares about his people. And a team that has a unity, belief and brotherhood that feels palpable, genuine...and different. The question is are these the qualities of elite leadership that drives success? With 3 semi-finals and a final in the last 5 tournaments, and a 3 from 4 penalties record..I'd say so. I'd say this is two games away from being seen as a masterclass in team building and leadership. I'll happily give Southgate the credit for this aspect of his work right now! But what about you? Is Southgate a leadership and team building genius or just an over-sharer that should have brought the subs on earlier ? 😂 😃 And have I just cursed our chances of lifting the trophy!!! 😅 Comment below with your thoughts. Xx PS Please give this a re-post if it's useful for your network. Source: Talksport | Youtube #southgate #england #football #leadership

2nd year competing. 2nd year getting 2nd place, in flight 2. That's quite a mouthful... This past weekend, Mark Borlin and I competed in the Silver Lake CC Member Guest and came up short. It was a hard-fought weekend where every match mattered. It turns out only a few putts were the difference between us winning our flight and going on into the championship march. In sports and in life, the details matter. Small decisions add up and end up making huge impacts. It might not feel important but pay attention to the small choices you make. Each one affects the direction you're going and where you'll be 20 years from now. #growth #competition #accountingandfinance

As the warmth of summer envelops us, it ushers in a season of unparalleled sporting brilliance. That is one big reason, I look forward to beyond seeking relief from long winters. From the clay courts of Roland Garros to the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, from the meticulously manicured greens of Augusta to the windswept links of The Open, and from the electric atmosphere of the European Championships to the global spectacle of the Olympics, we are and will be treated to a feast of human endeavor and excellence. These events are more than mere competitions; they are living, breathing narratives of the human spirit. Be it the grueling clay court or grass battles, or the harmony of teamwork rather than individual brilliance as seen in the ongoing European Championships, or the masterclass in precision, patience, and mental fortitude as seen in The Masters. I am sure The Open will be no different. They remind us that success is often a product of careful planning, unwavering focus, and the resilience to overcome setbacks. Additionally this year, the one I am truly looking forward to is the Olympics, the pinnacle of global sports, a global celebration of diversity and inclusion, reminding us of our shared humanity despite our differences. They all teach us that we must stand firm in our convictions, and at other times we must be flexible and embrace change. Personally, they offer stories that help me navigate the complexities of our own lives and careers. I draw huge inspiration from the dedication and skill on display and apply these to my pursuits. After all, in the grand arena of life, we are all athletes striving for our personal best. How do these sporting events inspire you? What lessons do you draw from them to fuel your journey of personal and professional growth? #Inspiration #storiesfromsports #sundaythoughts

As Wales faced a challenging end to the Six Nations competition today, we're reminded of a crucial lesson: past successes are not guarantees for future victories. Despite avoiding the wooden spoon for the last 21 years, today's result underscores the importance of continual improvement and resilience. In life, as in elite sports, resting on our laurels isn't an option. Defeat is tough but it's not defining. It's an opportunity to reflect, learn, and evolve. I'm confident that Warren Gatland and the team will do just that - review, understand, and use this experience as a springboard for future success. This approach isn't limited to rugby or sports; it's a valuable perspective for any industry. Let's all take a page from elite sports: embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and keep pushing forward. And of course, congratulations to Ireland on their well-deserved Six Nations victory. Here's to learning, growing, and achieving, no matter the field we're in. #Rugby #SixNations #ContinuousImprovement #Resilience

⏰⚽️ TIME WAITS FOR NO-ONE ⚽️⏰ Standards matter. Perception matters. Delivery is crucial. Yesterday we finally got our William Hill Scottish Championship campaign underway against a very well run and strong Ayr United Football Club side. Whilst the final result was nowhere near what we wanted, the progressive improvement & development in the playing squad under our Management Team of John Rankin & Darian Mackinnon over these last two seasons is evident; perhaps on another day the outcome could have been different. It’s actually only on match days like yesterday however that you fully appreciate just how well run off the park that your Stadium & the entire operational infrastructure has always been year on year under the watchful eye of our Stadium Manager Jimmy Thompson & his team of people. Sadly, as with most busiesses what goes on in the engine room never seems to get the credit it’s due or the recognition that it deserves & there are many unsung heroes behind the scenes. To have maintained the pretty much flawless standards and the impeccable delivery for our customer base and visiting spectators that we’ve become accustomed to Hamilton Academical Football Club Limited (certainly in my time at the Club) takes a phenomenal amount of personal effort, investment, pride in your output & knowledge/capability. These outstanding standards and levels of operational ability aren’t something that are just simply cross transferable either. As we’ve now moved back into possibly the most demanding and challenging League in the Scottish Professional Football League, it’s not only on the field of play that our quality, capability and class as a club will be measured across this season and beyond. Time really waits for no-one, and in a world and on a stage where public opinion based on their experiences is shared openly and freely on Social Media, it’s imperative that we strive to have as good a team and standards of excellence off the park as we do on it. Next time you attend a football match and enjoy a beer in hospitality or a Pie/Bovril in the stands, take a moment to sit and think of the importance of the person like Jimmy at that venue who actually ensured that you could be there to support your Team without issue. The fact is you wouldn’t have enjoyed the best movie you’ve ever seen without a great production crew. 🙏🏽 #Gratitude #Awareness #Appreciation #Standards #Reputation #Consistency #Knowledge

🌟 STR MAY Update 🌟 Special events can significantly boost demand in a city, positively impacting overall performance. This month, ADR continues to be the main driver of RevPAR improvements. According to #STR, Prague has secured the #2 rank, thanks to the Rammstein concert and the Ice Hockey Championship. 🏆 Top Cities by Highest RevPAR: Paris Prague Vienna Berlin Budapest Munich Congratulations to all the cities for their stellar performance! Which city will be the winner in June? Will the EURO Tournament impact cities in Germany? 🗣 Share your thoughts and your predictions for next month. How do you think the EURO Tournament will impact RevPAR in German cities? #Hospitality #STRReport #TravelIndustry #ADR #RevPAR

The best of Hugo Broos: Career stats and history: Hugo Broos has been a significant part of Belgium football since the early 1970s. As he enters his fifth decade… Read More: The best of Hugo Broos: Career stats and history via #TheCityCeleb