Educating Eventprofs + 2014 FIFA World Cup
Soccer, football, calcio…however you choose to call it, people all over the world are in full-on World Cup mode. This international football tournament dates back to 1930, where the best of the best are chosen to take home the title of World Cup champion for their team.
So, besides the endless options of World Cup-themed events and after-parties being organized around the globe:
What can event professionals learn from this year’s FIFA World Cup?
The Importance of Preparation + Teamwork
Image via The Eagle
Those players participating in the World Cup normally only have a few short weeks to train with their international teammates, as they spend the rest of the year playing for their city/country’s team. Each member has a different background and style of playing, yet must adjust to and work with the other members of their team.
This is similar to the staff an event professional hires for an event, especially if it’s done last minute. It really doesn’t matter who it is, but what is essential is a reliable process and a good set of rules to prepare an epic training.
Team Building
Image via Julian King Consulting
Throughout the year, most of these players are rivals, pitted against each other on the field to achieve soccer destiny for their home team. As we were saying, each player has their own techniques that need to be able to work with those of their teammates, and they’ll need to be able to cast aside all differences and learn to work with each other, on AND off the field.
We joked on social media the other day that doing a cupcake tour in NYC was an excellent team-building activity (some of us still think so…). The saying “All work and no play” holds some truth to it; your team–or you yourself–gives their all to make your company or brand shine and stand out of the crowd. Creative activities are excellent to keep your team motivated and engaged in their tasks, allowing them to get to know each other’s working habits and a deeper perspective as to how they are professionally as well as outside of the office. At the end of the day, it’s all about team effort.
Lead + Learn
Image via SoccerExpert.com
There are tons of different moves and fancy footwork in the football world. As each move is different, each player brings different qualities to the field, which is why it’s important they learn from each other and have a skilled coach to emphasize the greatest qualities and techniques that work well for the team as a whole. The coach chooses the formation of the team and tweaks it according to what plays will work best to defeat the challenger.
It’s one thing to organize a staff a day or two before an event, but having a great leader is the key factor to facilitate an event’s success. You, #eventprofs, are said leaders. You delegate who can do what task or job most efficiently and effectively; you prepare the backup strategies; you coach them to victory. We’re always telling you to get inspired from others out there in the industry, but you ultimately choose what will work best for you, your team and your brand.
Just because you don’t Pin together, doesn’t mean you can’t win together.
Tech-Trendy
Image via Wikipedia
We also must mention the use of technology in the World Cup: goal-line technology, which has been used over the last couple of years to determine whether or not the ball has officially crossed the goal line. The GLT system doesn’t take away the role of the referee or officials at the game, but rather acts as a supportive aspect that aids in their decision-making.
As there are many of you event professionals who have leapt onto the technology train, we’re excited to meet more of you ready to incorporate #eventtech into your next event.
What team are you rooting for the World Cup win this year?