| What UK Employers Can Learn From Team GB |
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Let’s face it – times are hard and are going to get harder for UK businesses. So what lessons can UK businesses take from Team GB’s phenomenal success in Beijing? In a nutshell, invest in your people whilst times are hard and their focus and determination will pay off in the long term. Team GB have gone from a rank of 36th in the 1996 games at Atlanta to a phenomenal 3rd in Beijing in 2008. The unlikely architect of this success, John Major, kick-started the national lottery which has provided the majority of funding for the UK’s top sports men and women since 1994. The targeted investment in the best coaches, facilities, focussed training and attention to detail is now paying off, with this being the best Olympics for the UK in over 100 years. So why are us Brits so surprised at our own success? Sadly, Brits are so used to being the under-dog that acceptance of an average result is the norm. Is our collective delight at the Beijing result a turning point for us in that we are finally starting to challenge the limiting beliefs we have in our potential?For UK employers, the unexpected bonus of being in the midst of a credit crunch, is that employees are less likely to be seriously considering a job move if they are in a secure position with your organisation. When the market does eventually pick up, employers who have continued to invest in their people by developing them in a period of uncertainty will doubtless be in a stronger position than before. The key learning point from this unexpected achievement may well be that investing in your staff’s development will deliver results. It’s worked for Team GB after all.....
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