MANAGING DURING COVID19

Like many of you, I’m trying to find creative ways to keep our “team” engaged during this work at home hiatus. Managing during this time is not a “slam dunk” but when is it ever? 

We are entering our seventh week at home since our season was abruptly suspended. There are many new norms. I’m learning all about Zoom calls, Webinars, virtual board meetings, mail merge messages to our “guests” and so much more.

Expecting your “teammates” to be productive from 9-5 and beyond isn’t realistic either. I couldn’t be more proud of the effort being given by all, especially those that have now added “teacher” to their resumes. I’m glad my children aren’t relying on me to help or they would have been in big trouble.

This is a difficult time for us all. Young and veteran staff alike. None of us have ever been here before, and let’s hope none of us will ever be again. I don’t know what remedies you have found to keep everyone engaged but I know what seems to be working for me.

·        Mad Ant Mondays: We begin the week with a 10AM TEAMS chat for a health and wellness staff meeting. We try not to focus on too much business but rather on their health/mental wellbeing.

·        Teamwork Tuesdays: I divide our teammates into groups of two and they all compete in a scavenger hunt around the house, in their yards and on social media. The first team to complete the list wins pizza on me. The best part is some of our teammates get their children involved in the hunt. I love seeing their smiling faces when the tasks have been completed. So far, the record is just 16 minutes to complete the task. I don’t want these exercises to last too long, after all we are still running a business, but I think I need to make things more challenging!

·        Winning Wednesdays: Each Wednesday morning staff is encouraged to share a “win” in their life. I’ve learned a lot about my teammates during this time. I’ve learned that Jarrell is taking this time to eat better and exercise more (although he is probably the last person who needs this new goal). I’ve learned that Ally considers working for Pacers Sports and Entertainment one of her wins. I’ve learned that Cameron considers his four legged “kids” one of his wins. One of Julie’s wins was seeing her husband Luke achieve his lifetime goal of becoming a police officer. One of Matt’s wins was hitting a walk-off grand slam (In defeat. That’s another story.) for his Monsanto Monstars softball team.

·        Tricky Thursday: Each week I pose a “crisis” management question to our team. I ask them how to solve problems that can and do arise in our business. One such problem was the ticketing system crashing just as the doors were set to open. Another problem was how to configure the seating bowl in post-COVID19 mode. We even came up with a game plan should our public address/music system were to go out during a game. I’ve enjoyed reading the creativity of each submission. It warms my heart to know how talented our teammates are.

·        Fun Fridays: Leading up to the weekend, teammates are encouraged to post a picture that has sentimental value to them and tell us why. I loved reading about Ally and how her dad taught her to water ski when she was just eight years old. A father daughter bond that goes on to this day. I smiled when I saw Dan’s picture of him coaching his son in rec league basketball. Jim posted a picture of a charity baseball game in which he got to pitch against George Foster, Bert Campaneris and even Paul Blair. Jim still has a nasty curve to this day. Donny shared a picture of his honeymoon from just last summer. The smile on their faces as they basked in the sun on the beach is priceless.

·        Book Club: We just finished reading Disney’s “Be Our Guest” on customer service. Our Friday morning review sessions brought us all together and will make our game experience even better once play resumes.

So, during this time, get to know your teammates better. Take a glimpse in to their lives. 

We are all “IN This Together” and our bond is growing stronger by the day.

I’d love to see how you are managing your teammates during this difficult time too. Always learning. Always growing. Always trying to become a better person.