What Do Championship Level Sports Teams and Microsoft Partnerships Have in Common?
Like a good coach, we talk a lot about fundamentals and the dedication required for success. While our focus is the Microsoft Partner Community, we draw several analogies from the sporting world. What have we learned? Five Fundamentals that cannot be overlooked.
I find myself repeating there are no shortcuts to victory—ever! When steps are skipped foundations are weak and often fail. Our job as partner coaches is to outline the work required to build a winning team. Five-time NBA Champion, Kobe Bryant is famous for his 4AM workouts in the off-season. Kobe skipped no steps, dedicated practicing, and played nearly 100 games a year before the championships. Kobe left no doubt who would be the best player. Our parallel partners who maintain the fundamentals, practice and tune get to the championships.
1. Shared Goals, Vision, and Sacrifice
Just as a sports team strives for victory, winning partners share common goals, vision, and sacrifice. Preparation involves establishing a game plan at the start of each season, in our case July. Success starts by understanding motivations, industry or partner objectives and teaming. In our case, we can think of aligning towards Microsoft annual objectives at a field level using aligned language connecting our product to the mission or Microsoft goals - how does your product align to these goals?
We do this because success requires visibility and relevance, we take the pre-season to test the vision. Once the season starts, we use that time to build partner relevance to develop outcomes as partner value increases when shared goals align.
2. Communication and Strategy
Effective communication is critical in both arenas. A championship winning team relies on precise communication to execute plays and adapt to changing game situations. Similarly, partners must communicate outwards to the market, but also and more critically to sales organizations who may be the front line in your visibility to Microsoft sellers and customers alike. Aligning sellers to the language connecting product to goals takes time and practice.
Sales alignment and communication is one of the most common issues we encounter, this goes beyond a one-time15-minute overviews at sales kickoffs, often requiring ride along and coaching through the year. Bringing the sales team into the strategy is crucial. As a partner organization, trust is developed when we extend relations to the right people and have common objectives which help the partnership to thrive and win. Simply put, this is where leads and trust develop. It is also why time is needed to develop a funnel.
3. Practice and Skill Development
How not to do it is as important as knowing how to do it the right way. This is famously highlighted by former NBA player, Allen Iverson, and his dismissal of the importance of practicing. Iverson was a member of Championship level teams on paper, but his teams always underachieved. Tons of individually talented players that cut corners, played selfishly, and failed to pay attention to all the little things that translate into winning at high levels. Iverson never won anything meaningful in the NBA. He scored a lot of points but did so inefficiently. Had he sacrificed for the good of the team and practiced regularly the outcome may have been different.
Championship teams dedicate countless hours to practice, honing fundamental skills and enhancing essential teamwork. Preparation directly correlates with performance during the game. Likewise, Microsoft Partners must invest time and effort in nurturing their relationship, learning new communication techniques, updating strategy and language, and participating in activities that strengthen their bond. If you want to have a winning partnership, be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work - results take time!
4. Resilience and Adaptability
Setbacks are inevitable in both sports and business relationships. A championship team displays resilience by bouncing back from defeats and adjusting its game plan as needed. Similarly, partners must weather storms together, supporting each other through tough times and adapting to life's challenges. Preparation involves building emotional resilience and fostering a mindset of growth and flexibility. Our recommendation is to invest in showing up and adapting strategy through the year. Confirming poorly laid plans early and gaining input to adapt should be an on-going exercise, rewarding those who ask questions.
Partnering with Microsoft and winning at a championship level is hard; the key is perseverance to adapt and time to keep going. Strategies should be thought of in 9 to 18 months and not quarter to quarter.
5. Trust and Collaboration
Championship teams operate on a foundation of trust and collaboration. Players rely on each other's strengths, knowing that everyone is committed to the team's success. In business relationships, trust forms the bedrock of intimacy and connection. Microsoft Partners must collaborate effectively, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other's endeavors. Preparation involves building trust through honesty, visibility by showing up, reliability in answering the call, and mutual respect. Greatness is defined by lifting everyone around you up and making everyone better. The two greatest NBA players ever to grace the court, LeBron James and Michael Jordan, shared three incredible traits. Unbelievable talent, trust in teammates, and they are the hardest working players in the league during their respective eras.
Conclusion
In both sports and business relationships, preparation is paramount. Whether striving to be an excellent Microsoft Partner or part of a championship team, the principles of preparation are unwavering. By setting goals, communicating effectively, honing skills, fostering resilience, and building trust, individuals and teams alike can achieve their full potential and emerge victorious in their respective arenas. Allen Iverson's experience serves as a reminder, practice does indeed matter. Practice with Microsoft matters. Your skills need to be finely tuned and aligned with their ever-changing priorities.
So, let’s hit the court and the boardroom together, striving for meaningful wins!
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