Football Turnaround Building Blocks

At the heart of it is a ‘football first’ policy aimed at creating a world-class environment for the team to succeed in, of which the new [training ground] headquarters will be a shining example with its attention to detail for the players, even including a barbers.

Manchester United football club, Manure to their detractors, the self-styled biggest team in the world. Fans hoping their decade-long descent reached its nadir last season.

New (quarter-)owners have certainly stuttered sweeping their new broom.

Yet there is that giddy air of hope which the eve of the new campaign often heralds for supporters everywhere.

Cultural changes abound. Such as the one of the above opening quote.

Many of the textbook elements of the turnaround have now been enacted in a late flurry. Brand new top exec and key personnel moves alongside unmissable, stark physical and mental environment overhauls.

The training base upgrades cited came at a cost of a cool £50m.

Many other tactics are mentioned. Enhanced prominence of a data department. Players now all eating together. Self-policing of lower phone use during those mealtimes. An unofficial 'players charter' introduced by their leadership group. Training information now brief and concise, as opposed to the previously longer analysis and meeting lengths.

One aspect I am decidedly not an advocate for, is the initiation ceremony. As seems fairly commonplace around the sport, new signings must sing a song to the group. No thank you.

One insight I do like though, is from an insider, saying;

"We’re in a really good place, but there has been a huge amount of change and it’s not a straight road. No one here thinks we’ve cracked it yet."

Naturally, there's nothing like the cold hard reality of bad results to bring such optimism crashing down. Yet this hope has roots.

I've seen many a fresh initiative aim to reinvigorate a sales force.

Yet it strikes me I've not witnessed a corporate theme heralding at its heart, 'selling first'.

Certainly not in the terms I feel beneficial to all, nay necessary even.

I've been involved with salesteams where to be worldclass in their pursuit is a goal. But I'm sad to report they soon tend to fall down the undermining trap of sales-at-all-cost.

Devastating and counter to true sustainable, repeatable, happy customer growth.

I want salespeople selling. With all the required help available. Following actual process.

You'd be amazed how rare this is, especially as clients love to see it.