Come As You Are - Developing Employees

If a person does not have the talent or experience needed to help a business or department operate better, there must be a good reason to provide a job offer. There is potential along with some other attractive attributes that garnered the attention of the interviewers. Ultimately this is a project on top of the ones that are expected to produce results for the company. It requires management, extreme oversight and guidance - all of which take time that most claim to not have.

As NFL team executives gather and pick players from their draft board today, part of the evaluations that have taken place over the last nine months is knowing that playing a position in college is different than playing professionally with stronger adult bodies. The speed and explosiveness from college can transcend but the ability to play within the rules of a team's playbook at a professional level can be troublesome. In these cases, the potential and the attributes combined can sway a General Manager and Player Personnel team to take a chance and draft a developmental player.

Here's how to be prepared for what is involved in developing employees.

Know the turnover rate and the areas that experience the most churn. For positions that have less longevity, create a blueprint with a skills map that can be used to develop employees in this area. The employees that learn in this area will more than likely be committed to the company, work harder, be dedicated to prove themselves, and stay longer.

Set a timeline for the development project. No company can afford to develop an employee forever. There has to be a timeline for when that person must show themselves worthy or be shown the front door. If the goal is to outperform competitors in a region by next year, that's three to six months allotted for the person's growing pains. If the team's goal is to prepare for a veteran to retire or experience dwindling performance in 2 years, the position coordinators have roughly one training camp and one season to devote the time to this player.

Create a performance tracking plan with key milestones. You must be able to evaluate how well the person is doing, what is being learned, how effective the work has been, the ability to work with others, and the displayed character. The plan should be transparent and discussed frequently to allow improvement in areas deemed as weaknesses as well as maintain strengths.

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Posted in: developing employees,effective hiring,employment,employment practices,Hiring,hiring and firing,New Employment,NFL Draft,sports business,talent acquisition

The Economy of Capitalizing on Athletes' Mistakes

THE GIVEBACK...UNNECESSARY ATHLETE COSTS    

Emotions run heavy during sports as it should.  Old habits are also hard to break especially when coming into new money with familiar friends. However professional athletes and coaches alike must remember that behavior deemed unacceptable by their respective employer - the league - can be costly.  It may be as drastic as losing endorsements.  This is just an unnecessary revenue generator for all parties but the professional athlete.

Check out this video to learn how the 'giveback' based on mistakes works towards the business goals of everyone but the professional athlete. 
http://youtu.be/QfU_jy9D95k

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Posted in: athlete retirement,burned out,business expert,Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Making Mistakes,NFL,NFL Draft,NHL,Playoffs,Run Life's Course,Temeko Richardson,The RLC Group

Post NFL Draft: Started From the Bottom, Now You're Here

THE NFL DRAFT.     

Last weekend the NFL Draft has given monetary promises and endorsement hopes to many players from the college ranks.  For many of these young athletes, this is the most money any of them have ever seen.  In fact, it is probably more than family generations have earned. This post is for the new professional athlete who was either drafted or undrafted over the past weekend - the one who will now see their dreams come to fruition in the top professional league in football.  From the bottom as a scrambling college athlete, you have arrived but there is business you must take care of to stay here.
1). The Hangers Ons. There are friends and family from little league to college who believe they should benefit and reap the rewards.  New level, new devil.  I am not saying get all new friends or replace family but definitely evaluate those who could be risks to your success both on and off the field.  Illegal gun carrying, non-medicinal marijuana-using, womanizing associates should definitely be eliminated before training camp starts. Well if you have no one to hang out with after this elimination, it is a great time for self-reflection and intense strength and speed training.
2). The Percentage Takers. Between the agent,the business manager, the publicist, and the investment brokers, the percentages will add up. Some of these individuals will claim to protect your interest and make investments on your behalf that may or may not be beneficial. Protect your assets and invest properly with a reputable financial planner. Hire lawyers that don't know these people to watch what they are doing. 
3). Toys of Joy.  I would never tell you to not ride in style nor live in custom-built homes in plush neighborhoods.  If you are making the league minimum, obtaining a Bugatti is not the best choice. Make sure your spending and monthly expenses do not exceed 30-35 percent of guaranteed salary. In other words, don't spend beyond your wage. If you get endorsements, bank that for hard times or retirement because one career-ending injury is all it takes and you will wish that money was available.
4). Lover Hover.  My office landlord told me once "If you have the money, you'll attract like honey".  Well I will not say what you will attract but definitely protect your ass-ets. Set a new example for athletes - husband first and then fatherhood. Baby momma drama is REAL, especially if they still want you and can't have you. Ask your elder pro-athlete brethren about that.  Lovers will hover and you will have plenty of choices.  Discernment! 

I can go through all the adages - more money, more problems...to whom much is given, much is required.  But none matter most than using commonsense.  While I want you to stay in the league at least 10 years but realistically speaking, that won't happen for everyone.  So prepare to succeed and get your business in order for longevity.  After all, it's harder to return to the bottom and get back here. 

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Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,NFL,NFL Draft,professional athletes,sports business,Temeko Richardson

The Business of the NFL Draft - The Article

NFL DRAFT...A BOARD OF BUSINESS    

The fans are excited about the picks from the NFL draft to determine just how far off their favorite team will be from a Superbowl quest.  The owners are focused on not only who will bring them to the Big Dance but whether or not they get their money's worth with fan attraction, superstar recognition, and team member acceptance.  Fashion designers are eager for the drafted players to show off their new outfits.  The media has a field day of coverage especially on the stories of football lineage of some draftees and major sympathy stories to keep viewers glued to the reports.

The NFL Draft is a business.  Here is an article (http://yhoo.it/13Xoezx) that outlines just how much of a business it is and who benefits.

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Posted in: management consulting,negotiation skills,NFL,NFL Draft,project management,teamwork,Temeko Richardson