14/06/2021
Case Study on Collaboration – The Sports World
*************************
We can draw parallels with the sports world where differences in opinion and approach have had a detrimental impact on some of the best assembled teams in the world.
A case in point is in the NBA. Let's flash our minds back to when Shaquille Oneal and the late Kobe “Bean” Bryant ruled the basketball world winning 3 titles in a row from 2001-2004.
However, when they started having personal issues with each other, it was clear that one of them had to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, and that person was Shaquille O’neal.
This led to the breakup of a team that many sports analysts believed could have won 3 more titles.
Likewise in the Football world the issues that Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham had in 2003 is well documented in the history of Manchester United.
When the Coach and his star player had a major fall-out, Sir Alex decided to sell Beckham to Real Madrid, as he believed that the latter no longer shared his views and values, it was important to let him go so as not to disrupt team chemistry.
CONCLUSION – KEY LESSON
The key lesson here is that having a partner (collaboration) is a good risk management strategy.
However it’s important to ensure that you and your partner have a similar view of the opportunity, in terms of the appropriate business model and how to execute the opportunity.
************
Success wishes
Simoyan O.O.