Communicating with ‘Kids These Days’

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We hear the complaint more and more frequently in various forms. But most of the time, it starts with “Kids these days …”

The complaint revolves around teenagers – and sometimes covers an entire generation – and their phones. “Their heads are buried in the phones” … “They don’t know how to interact with people” … “They have no social skills.”

Once we learn that most of the people being criticized actually can communicate, they just do it differently now, we can start to explore ways to effectively reach them. Adopting their chosen method of communicating is a great start. [Read more…]

Combining Data and Intuition

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Seldom does a movie change the way sports are played, but in 2011, Moneyball did just that. Based on the Michael Lewis book of the same name, Moneyball chronicles the Oakland A’s 2003 season, in which the use of data analytics changed the way baseball teams signed, paid and used players.

Like it or not, data analytics is here to stay. Since 2011, data analytics exploded and has grown to accommodate every aspect of sports – from front-office operations, to on-field performances, to injury prevention, to concession sales, to travel and anything else you can think of. [Read more…]

Go from ‘I Am’ to ‘We Are’ in One Simple Step

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Back in the 90s, I learned about a simple team-building exercise that seems appropriate at this time of the year. Teams that play fall seasons, are entering their playoffs or major tournaments, conference championships, NCAA tournaments. It’s that time of the year, when players are excited, have high expectations and lofty dreams.

They are also wondering if they are good enough, either individually or as a team. Coaches are looking for ways to re-assure them, motivate them and give that extra boost of confidence that could make the difference. [Read more…]