Business owners know, just showing up doesn’t create the traction necessary to move companies to the next level. All systems have to be aligned, people positioned in the correct roles and the team focused, clearly understanding the processes to achieve the goals.
For the operations of any company, this is every day. It’s not just what does it take to get to the top? It’s what does it take to stay on top?
A lesson from Baseball
In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays were positioned to take the top prize in major league baseball, the World Series. The last time they reached the summit was 1993 though they did get close 2016. Their positioning, or length of time to get there is nothing to be scoffed at considering the many teams that have never held the trophy.
According to those in the “know” the Jays are a team at work from top to bottom. From the owners, managers, coaches, trainers, players, to the ticket counters, concessions, and the fans. The raving, hard-core, with you throughout every high and low, home game or away, fan.
An investment in people that pays off
Ticket sales for game six at Rogers Centre sold out in 30-minutes after going on sale, with the cheapest ticket (no assigned seat) going for $1,879, standing room only tickets for $2,291 and general admission $2,315. Some fans may pay as much as $11,633. Still, this may not be the best seat in the house which runs into the six-figures, for front-row behind the plate.
Compare this to regular season tickets of $345 or standing room for $20.
With a capacity of 50,000 the math is staggering. The financial “win” for this year achieved.
People-first cultures
Imagine your employees as top-performing athletes leading your organization to the equivalent of the World Series, the Stanley Cup, or NBA Championship. How might you view their performance and how you could invest in enabling them to perform at their peak level for a return on investment?
Might this involve not just the tools that they are provided, like basketballs, baseball bats, skates, etc. but perhaps physio and massage for their pitching arm, orthotics, coaching for emotional wellbeing to maintain their focus and concentration.
Consider how adequate vision care for those who work on computers day in, and day out may improve their ability to get the job done. Or hearing aids to improve customer interactions. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Health Spending Accounts (HSA) for more cost certainty for the business and flexibility for the employee.
While it’s easy to recognize the front runners, those with the top spots both now and historically like Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. … the leaders in the organization to weave the moments—the small wins—into a championship. However, every organization has these people. The real magic is identifying those who, when provided the tools and opportunity, will not only succeed themselves but help move their team and hence the business to the next level with raving fans mustering to cheer you on.
It’s all about the math
Improved productivity for organization means:
· Less turnover of staff
· Being able to attract, but more importantly retain top talent. (It’s easy to imagine a lot of players vying to be a member of the Blue Jays in the coming years) Everyone wants to be part of a winning team.
· Earning a reputation within your staff, that spills over to the satisfied customers, who actively promote what you do to their customers.
Would the Blue Jays making it to the World Series actually matter if there were no fans, no one watching?
The correlation of sports teams to corporate teams
· Both succeed in the business of people.
· Both are in business to build the best reputation for their customer/fan base.
The Toronto Sun said; “What makes the Blue Jays different and special is that they get performance up and down the lineup.” Further cementing the point with; “This is a Blue Jays team that seems to understand who and what they are.”
Where culture takes shape
We are people based. We believe every employee is an athlete (performance-based) at what they do best and for that reason to achieve top positioning we need to take care of the people on our teams.
Let’s have a conversation.
Reach out if you would like to explore your corporate benefit options, like:
· The KPI’s for Benefit ROI
· Building “Best-in-Class” benefit plans
· What to do about the ‘forgotten” employee
Note: this was written without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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