Running a business is just like playing football

With the World Cup in full force right now, this seemed an appropriate time to share this.

If you've ever been part of a team, then you know that there's strength in numbers. The same can be said for businesses. It might be tempting to go it alone, but you're far more likely to find success if you build a strong team to help you along the way.

Here are some other ways that running a business is a lot like playing football:

Teams Beat Individuals

In football, two teams go head-to-head in an attempt to score the most goals. In business, two companies compete for the same customers. It's not always an easy competition, but it's one that can be won by working together as a team. You need to have a game plan and execute it flawlessly. If you try to do everything yourself, you'll quickly get overwhelmed and fall behind.

Play Every Game to Win

In football, there's no such thing as an "easy" win. You have to show up and give it your all every single game—regardless of who the opposing team is. The same goes for business. You can't rest on your laurels after landing a big client or making a big sale. You have to keep hustling and grinding if you want to stay ahead of the competition. There's always someone out there who wants your spot at the top, so you can't afford to let up for even a second.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best football teams in the world are the ones that practice the hardest. They spend hours upon hours perfecting their craft so that they can execute their plays perfectly come game day. Businesses need to do the same thing - especially in the sales function who should always find time role play and hone their skills. You need to constantly be trying new things and fine-tuning your process so that you can be the best in your industry. There's always room for improvement, so never stop practicing and strive for perfection.

Understand the Rules

Both football and business have rules that must be followed in order to be successful. In football, there are rules governing what players can and cannot do on the field—if they break these rules, they risk being penalised or even "sent off". In business, there are rules governing advertising, accounting, hiring, firing, and more—if companies break these rules, they risk being fined or shut down entirely. It's critical that you understand all of the rules before you start playing the game—otherwise, you're setting yourself up for failure from the very beginning.

Play to Your Teammate's Strengths and Weaknesses

In football, each player has their own strengths and weaknesses—and it's up to the coach to put them in positions where they can succeed. For example, someone who isn't very tall probably shouldn't be playing in goal (sorry Jorge Campos!). In business, each member of your team also has their own strengths and weaknesses—and it's up to you to make sure they're working in areas where they can excel. If someone isn't very good with numbers, maybe they shouldn't be in charge of bookkeeping. Play to your team's strengths and delegate accordingly so that everyone can shine in their own way.?

Data Can Take Your Performance To The Next Level

Just like OPTA stats tell football managers how their team is really performing - business data analytics allow businesses track progress , identify issues early on, and make changes accordingly. This ensures strategies are aligned with intended outcomes yielding better business results. A well-executed data analytics strategy will take any business performance into rarefied air. There is simply no substitute for leveraging business analytics. So, whether it's understanding your star striker's heatmaps or customer buying journeys - embrace data as part of your winning formula.?

If you want your business to be successful, then there are some key lessons you can learn from football. Keep these things in mind as you build your business empire and watch as your company scales new heights!