The value of winning partnerships

At Putnam Investments, the partnerships we’ve forged with professional teams and athletes are a core component of our marketing strategy. They help us build our brand recognition, develop client relationships, and grow our social and digital media presence. But what does sponsoring a sports team have to do with investments?

Simply put, we partner with organizations, teams, and athletes who share our core values. These values serve as our foundation as we take on the tremendous responsibility of managing the assets our clients have entrusted to us. Teamwork, a focus on performance, and a dedication to winning are essential, as highlighted by our Head of Marketing, Mark McKenna, in a recent article.

Always play to win

Like the teams and individuals we sponsor, Putnam always plays to win. Every professional in our organization embraces this philosophy, and we approach every challenge as one that we can — and will — win.

An emphasis on data

When considering partnerships, we look for an emphasis on data-driven decisions and strategies. We see this focus from teams like the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. Does it work? Well, just look at all those banners and rings! Whether in practice, in pre-game preparations, or in mid-game strategy shifts, these organizations use the most up-to-date and relevant information to make high-pressure decisions. When it comes to investments, we enable our teams with the most powerful data-driven tools and technology, and encourage them to use it effectively.

The power of teamwork

Building great teams does not happen overnight, and those we sponsor work constantly and consistently to get better, improve processes, manage inefficiencies, and stay aligned with a common goal. Likewise, our individual athlete partners work with talented and respected supporting teams of coaches, managers, and trainers. Building great investment teams is no different. Putnam would not be where we are today without the teamwork, diverse inputs, shared goals, and professional respect driving our process.

Seek continuous improvement

A mentality of continuous improvement is a driving force for all professional athletes. Even those at the top of their game are always pushing themselves to get to the next level. Take a look at Brendan Steele’s workout routine as an example. This mentality is also engrained in our culture at Putnam. We encourage all of our employees to constantly seek out opportunities to challenge themselves, improve, and grow in their careers.

Whether on the the links, the gridiron, or the parquet, our winning partners exhibit these values whenever they face a new challenge. We aspire to embody their precision and determination in everything we do as a company, and look forward to deepening these values as we continue to transform and grow our business.

The opinions expressed here are my own and not those of Putnam Investments, Empower Retirement, Great-West Financial, or their subsidiaries, and are not intended as tax, legal, or investment advice.