Axe Week – Pay to Play

Welcome back readers. This will be my second article post on LinkedIn. In case you missed my first post, (and I’m not sure how you missed it with a whopping 75 views) you can catch-up on that here.

My hope is to periodically write thought / reflection pieces. Where is this going or why am I doing this? I’m not sure yet. I’m realistic. I’m not that interesting or special. I’m working on my writing skills and creating content. I’m inclined to create or pioneer and for the time being this is kinda fun.

This weekend brings the 129th meeting of the Minnesota Gophers and the Wisconsin Badgers in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The most-played rivalry in Division 1 college football. Surprisingly, the series is tied at 60-60-8. If you’re a Minnesota native and fan like me, you know it doesn’t feel like this. The Badgers have won 14 of the last 15 rivalry games.

In broad terms, this means the Gophers used to be pretty good – or – the better of the two universities. And over the last 20 years, something changed. Now this changing of the tides wasn’t a traditional David Vs. Goliath situation, but close.

The U of M has many advantages over UW. Situated in a larger city, with a larger annual enrollment, in a state that largely supports its education system (Wisconsin still does, but not as much as it once did), which in general leads to larger operating budgets.

All of these things give the U of M many ‘chips’ to execute better. Generally, you’d think this would lead to more academic and athletic success; however, the results and reputation locally, is that UW has been the superior athletic performer and more prestigious academic institution. Being a proud Minnesotan, that’s hard for me to admit.

So why is that? And why does it feel for the first time in 15 years, the playing field is level and anyone can win on Saturday? I’m speaking more specifically from an athletic position, but it certainly feels the academia reputations are leveling off as well.

I’d like to think Minnesota copied UW-Madison’s blueprint for success. Similar to the way a casino operates. Invest in your experiences and attractions and the gamblers or students will come. By having the best loss leaders: collegiate sports, new dorms, and luxury condos on-campus which are the casino equivalent to shows, restaurants and world-class hotels, attract the best and the brightest and with that, comes academic success. And the best of all, a premium brand you can charge an arm and a leg for.

So what have the Gophers done to operate like the Badgers and a casino? Take a trip to dinky town and you will notice a crane and an under construction high rise on every-other block. A Richard Pitino 2-year extension signed in April and a PJ fleck 7-year extension earlier this month. You’ll notice a sold out student section at football games and an atmosphere that may be better than our rivals to the East.

I am surprised. Minnesota is finally realizing you have to create experiences and attract talent. The best students want to go to a college where they will have fun and get a great education. See The University of Wisconsin or The University of Michigan. It seems The U is finally putting out a product academically and athletically, that I am proud of. And what does this mean to you?

I believe as an employer, your most precious (and expensive) asset is your human capital. There seems to be a high correlation between successful companies and the experiences and financial opportunities it offers its employees.

In our current economy and the various job-hunting platforms like LinkedIn, finding a new (better) job is as easy as flipping a switch. Literally.

So with that, and upon further reflection, the times are a changing in corporate America. Companies need to work harder to retain their talent. I’d argue it’s no longer about getting people in the door, but keeping them inside once they arrive. My guess is the spoils will go to the companies that develop culture, experience, and financial opportunities for its employees. It’s time to pay to play. Create those experiences and cultures

Life is so short. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and travel safe. Hug your loved ones tighter and make those Minnesota good-byes longer.

Onward and upward,

Mark