My loyalty to the Yankees demands that I never cheer for the Red Sox. That said, there are some things that we all can learn from the Red Sox.
Brand Loyalty is Critical
Go back to 1965 (when the Sox lost 100 games) and find some Red Sox fans. They’ll tell you that Boston has the greatest team on earth. Go to the 1980s and ask the same question in the bars of Boston. You’ll get the same answer. They love their Red Sox. Before 2004, there wasn’t even 1 “fair weather” Boston fan, and though today the Sox have more than their share of “fair weather” fans, the team has always had a strong following. In most cities that host a professional sports team, 86 years without a championship will get you run out of town. For the Red Sox, 86 years without a World Series title found them in the same city with a very loyal fan base.
Build strong loyalty around your brand, because whether you’re winning or losing, you need somebody supporting you.
If At First You Don’t Succeed… (or, Even Losers Can Win Eventually)
Cheer up, you Cubs fans. Eventually everybody has a chance to win. Now the Red Sox have won twice in the past 5 years, so it’s time for more Yankees dynasty. You’ve got to admire their patience on this one. 86 years is a long time to wait.
Keep working to create a better product if you want to be a leader in your market.
Showing Some Class Will Earn Respect
This impressed me so much that I blogged about this after the 2008 All Star game. Terry Francona, the Red Sox manager, was the manager in the final All Star game at Yankee Stadium. He allowed Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez to leave the game from the field (as opposed to replacing them between innings), and he turned to the Yankees closer for the 9th inning (instead of using his own pitcher). Francona chose to show some class when he didn’t necessarily have to, and as a result, he earned the respect of many Yankees fans.
Showing some class is not always easy, but it’s required if you want to earn the respect of your competitors.
Lose the Bad Apples On Your Team
If it’s true that one bad apple will spoil the bunch, any team with Manny Ramirez on it should be ready for some spoiled apples. The Red Sox got rid of Manny, and though they did so while he was insisting on a trade and acting like a 3 year old, it was a great move for them because he was a liability to team unity. They didn’t win it all in 2008, but I’m convinced they won more than they would have if they had Manny the whole season.
Even good players on your team can distract from your team’s success. You have to get rid of the bad apples if you want a chance to win.
How have you seen these lessons in your business? What else can you learn from the Red Sox?
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Now the Red Sox have won twice in the past 5 years, so it’s time for more Yankees dynasty.
I know you cadged that as logic, but that’s illogical.
I dunno man, I passed it through my logic tests again just now, and it still passes.
well, well, well. paint me green and call me a monster. it’s a positive Red Sox post from a yankee fan!