Cricket Fever: 5 Management Lessons to Learn from Iconic World Cup Moments

Business How To’s

02 July 2019

Cricket Fever: 5 Management Lessons to Learn from Iconic World Cup Moments

  • Posted by Awfis Editorial

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is in full throttle and Indian fans are full of hopes, what with our Cricket team having had a brilliant run with only one loss in its kitty so far.Despite the game’s immense popularity in the subcontinent, very few actually ponder over aspects of the game that can turn out to be invaluable management lessons. So, we decided to put together fivelessons we learnt from some of the mosticonic World Cup moments. Take a look.

  1. Lead from the front

The quality that differentiates a great leader from a good leader is the ability to lead from the front and take calculated risks. A glowing example is the 2011 World Cup final, when an out-of-form MS Dhoni, the then Indian team skipper, came down to bat at number 3 ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh. While spectators and experts were left puzzled, no one could have predicted the kind of game-changing innings MSD played in that match, which eventually led India to its first World Cup win after 28 years!

This is what great leaders are made of – they are willing to take calculated risks and lead from the front even in difficult circumstances.

  1. Build on your strengths

While it is crucial to identify and work on areas of improvement, it is equally important to not lose sight of your core strengths, despitewhat conventional wisdom suggests. A case in point is the 1996 World Cup finale when the then Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, went against the conventional wisdom of batting first.

If the trends of the past five World Cup finals were to be believed, teams that batted first had invariably emerged as the champions. However, Ranatunga knew that his team’s strength lay in chasing rather than defending scores. His decision to play to the team’s strength coupled with his courage to challenge the conventional approach led the team to its maiden World Cup victory.

  1. Learn to work without your best resources

While it is natural for any manager to depend on their best resources, there can be circumstances when your best resource may be unavailable. Great leaders know how to cope up with unavoidable harsh conditions and still emerge victorious.

A good example would be the 2003 World Cup, when Australia had to play without its star player and, arguably, the best leg-spinner in the world, Shane Warne. The media was quick to write off the entire team even before the first ball of the tournament had been bowled. However, the Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting, was unruffled and went about his way to lead the team to a spellbinding World Cup win.

  1. Keep personal adversity separate from professional work

It is quite natural for most of us to succumb to adversities in personal life and let them affect the quality of our professional work. However, great leaders have an uncanny ability to isolate both the aspects and bring out the best in them and their team.

A famous example is the 1999 World Cup at England when Sachin Tendulkar got the news of his father’s demise. He made time to attend the funeral but was back before his next match where he scored an unbeaten 140. Such was his resolve to perform in the face of adversity. That moment when he looked to the heavens, dedicating his century to his late father left the entire gallery in tears.

  1. Encourage multi-skilling

It is always good to have people in the team who can do more than what has been assigned to them or is expected of them. Such people are called “all-rounders” in cricketing parlance.

Had it not been for Yuvraj Singh’s exceptional skills with both,batting and bowling during the 2011 World Cup, India’s grand World Cup victory could have been a farfetched dream. Similarly, Mohinder Amarnath’s wizardry with the bat and the ball contributed to the team’s victory in the 1983 World Cup in a big way.

Conclusion

Cricket, like every other sport, has a lot of valuable lessons to offer, which can help us lead the way in our own professional lives. Whether it is a game of cricket or a typical day at work, the ability to think on your toes while abiding by your core values can make all the difference.

7 Types Of Colleagues Found In Every Successful Organization

Business How To’s

25 August 2021

7 Types Of Colleagues Found In Every Successful Organization

  • Posted by awfis

A dynamic enterprise usually thrives on a cocktail full of spunky personalities. Each brings in their unique talents and habits that fit like perfect pieces in a puzzle. From the sassy boss to the clingy colleague, here’s some types that you are bound to bump into…

7_types_of_colleagues_found_in_every_successful_organization
1. The compulsive foodie(s)

Instead of clients, this one’s got all the city’s restaurants on speed dial. From Domino’s to the latest hotspot in town, their peckish appetite will ensure that there’s plenty food circulating all around office. Whether, you’ve got random board meetings or your team’s working at odd hours – you’ll never be hungry ever.

2. The witty assassin

This one will ‘slay’ you more lethally than Beyonce or Eminem ever will.  Come hell or sunshine, he or she’s got the perfect comeback for every painful person and situation. Known for having their fair share of haters, they’re also true entertainers. But, it’ll do you good to remember that it’s a war of words that’s not worth playing….

3. The jack-of-all trades

From sweet talking to https://www.https://www.awfis.com/inspiration/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/shutterstock_3835072871.jpg.com/inspiration/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Awfis-is-your-new-Office1.jpg to executing any kind of project – you name it & it is done.  This breed seldom takes no for an answer.  Whatever is touched turns to gold and they will leave you wondering how it got done. If you need a helping hand, an insightful shrink, or someone to walk your dog, rest assured you can depend on this pro multi-tasker with your eyes shut!

4. The road runner

This famous few will be on their toes, always on the phone, pretending to be busier than the Kardashians.  Your’re more likely to see them at the office door as a permanent fixture. All the worlds’ people know this person and this social butterfly is likely to know everyone. Constantly on the move, you’ll need this PR pro to take your business to places.

5. The tech geek

You’ll always find this genius, behind a bunch of wires, computers and applications. Broke a light bulb, had a short-circuit or you found your desktop suddenly crashed… Fret not. Dexter’s got the perfect fix. Quiet and demure, he probably takes pride in being faster than a normal computer. But, if you’re a know-it-all, then you might not like this mister…

6. The swear champion

This person believes in pure tough love. Yeah, ouch! When the pressure builds up and clients turn demanding, then be sure to hear a spew of gushing swears. Whether it’s loud and clear or below the belt, this one is feared and they sure know how to get work done. Tip: They are usually in positions of power and you’d rather never cross the line with them

7. The constant complainer

This one’s a problem magnet. Even on the brightest day where there’s plenty of reason to rejoice, this type loves telecasting their worries. This includes the coffee machine, that might have broken down or the weather that suddenly turned rotten – there’s always something to say. However, their minute observation constantly keeps you in check and hey! Be assured that you’ll get plenty feedback for the tiniest things on agenda.

But whether you like it or not… take each of these types with a pinch of salt, because they make for the big brains and even bigger learning curves…

Things Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Pursuit of Happyness

Business How To’s

25 August 2021

Things Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Pursuit of Happyness

  • Posted by awfis

Pursuit of Happyness is an iconic movie which was released in 2006. It has been 10  years since it released, but never fails to inspire the viewer. It fills the person with a determination to fight for their dreams irrespective of the hindrances that come along.

Based on a true story of Chris Gardner, a man who loses everything , but manages to get everything because of his perseverance. They show how Chris and his son battle a period of homelessness selling medical bone density scanners while being enrolled in an internship as a stock broker.

pursuit_of_happyness poster

Here are the important things that every entrepreneur can take from the movie:

1. Be ready for extreme hardships:

We’ve seen in the movie that Chris Gardner goes through numerous hardships. Whether it comes to selling his bone density scanners or taking up an internship while managing to take care of his son and provide for him. He doesn’t lose his determination even when everything seems bleak. It’s important not to give up and go on and try to overcome the problems that we come across, daily.

2. Aim for the stars

Always aim high! Believe in yourself and everything can be conquerable. Chris Gardner took a chance and went for an option of interning as a stockbroker where only one person at the end would be given a job! He took a chance when the odds were against him and proved that all you need is an opportunity to achieve things when you set your heart at it.

3. Put In all the effort

When you want to achieve something make sure you give your best shot. A half hearted attempted is a good as not giving it a try. Chris Gardner has many close calls, where anyone else would have given up. He even fixes a bone density scanner at the homeless shelter to make the ends meet.  He has proved that if one wants anything eagerly in life, they should work as if their life depends on it.

4. Never let anyone’s judgement cloud your decision

Do not forget to believe in yourself, even if everyone gives up on you. Your decisions should be made on the basis of your logic and intuition rather than someone else’s judgement. Chris does not give up on the internship even when his wife leaves him. Instead he gets even more determined to succeed. Listen to your heart and no one else’s opinion. Immerse yourself in your dream idea!

5. Never show signs of weakness

Always show your strengths. The moment you do that, everything will fall into place. Fear is the toxin, hope and belief is the antidote. Chris always greeted everyone on a positive note and did not even flinch when he has to shell out his last 5$ to pay for executives cab fare. Quick thinking and how you transform your weaknesses into strengths is what matters eventually.

Chris Gardner’s remarkable achievements show that no matter how many obstacles you face, the rules for success are the same for everyone. If you follow the rules, no matter how difficult it gets, you will reap the reward of your own “Pursuit of Happyness.”

5 Effective Strategies to Market Your Freelance Career

Business How To’s

25 August 2021

5 Effective Strategies to Market Your Freelance Career

  • Posted by awfis

What’s better than doing the job that you love and getting paid for it? That’s the life of a freelancer. You get the best of both the worlds where you get to mix passion and profession together. Freelancing is no magic, you can either be an individual with your own website or a part of a team who has been taking up projects from various clients for over a period of time.

Freelancer

If you are a freelancer and are wondering about the next steps to make it successful, here are some strategies that we think will help you make it a long term career.

  1. Create a checklist of your deliverables:

The first step to promote your freelance career is to list down your skill set in the order of strength. It can be writing, graphic designing, creating video content or anything else that you think is your forte. Once you have this list ready, your reality will be in front of your eyes. The strengths can eventually result into a niche market of your own, via freelancing.

  1. Make sure your content reaches your target audience:

In today’s world identifying your potential client, plays key while marketing for the freelancer. In order to ensure this, make sure that your content is shared on all the social media platforms. For example, if you have created a video make sure you maximize it on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other relevant social media platforms. With this you can increase the visibility of your content and influence them with your content.

  1. Do not forget to focus on e-mail marketing:

E-mails are the best way to reach the correct target audience. The click through rate might be less compared to other social media platforms but around 90% of the audience using e-mails check it daily. People sign up for various sites knowing that they would be receiving mails from that particular website. It is the easiest way to cover a large network area. If you are a little shy or lack the opportunity to connect with the right market, cold emailing will be the best way to reach out to your target.

  1. Maintain your website traffic and Inquiry section efficiently:

The easiest way for people to contact you is through the inquiry section on your website. Do respond to inquiries as soon as you can as this will uplift the credibility of your brand. Along with that make sure Search Engine Optimisation and Search Engine Marketing for your page/website is up to mark. As they say, optimizing the page is better than being lost somewhere amidst millions of similar searches.

  1. Get referrals from your clients:

Referrals provide authenticity to your work. Word of mouth is better than any other form of marketing. Use it as an advantage and get credibility for your work. Effective relationships are built over a period of time. They not only enable you to reach out to your potential clients, but also motivate you to perform better. Do not hesitate to get testimonials from clients you’ve delivered great service to!

Using these strategies will prove beneficial for kick-starting your freelancing career. If you are ready and confident about your freelancing skills, it’s time to implement these strategies in reality!