Top BPM lessons from the Euro 2024 Football Championship

Who will win the Euro 2024 football tournament? Will it be one of the fan favorites or an outsider? Or do you even care?

The similarities between a football tournament and modern IT technology like business process management (BPM) may not be evident at first glance. However, are there lessons that we can learn from a football tournament that can help your business perform at a world-class level?

1. Strategic alignment and goal setting

• Football lesson: International football teams must set clear goals (winning the tournament, advancing through the rounds) and align their strategies accordingly. Setting unrealistic goals based on a lack of resources, talent, or experience always leads to football heartbreak.
• BPM application: Companies should also set clear goals for their business processes and ensure all teams align strategically with these goals. Again, setting unrealistic goals without sufficient resources and expertise can lead to unnecessary football-like heartbreak.

2. Team collaboration and communication

• Football lesson: Footballing success relies on excellent teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Every football team member should play and aim for the same goal.
• BPM application: Companies should incentivize teamwork and encourage cross-functional collaboration and clear communication among teams and departments. All team members should be aligned and working toward common objectives to avoid unnecessary own goals.

3. Performance monitoring and improvement

• Football lesson: Football teams continuously assess their performance and pinpoint their strong and weak points. They use video analysis and match data (such as possession figures and pass accuracy) to identify areas that are working well and areas for improvement.
• BPM application: Businesses can also profit from ongoing process optimization through data analytics, process mining, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in continuous performance monitoring. This data may not be as glamorous as football statistics, but it will help the company to avoid unnecessary defeats.

4. Adaptability and flexibility

• Football lesson: The most successful teams modify their game plans in real time in response to opponent tactics and progress in the game. The best teams know how to be flexible and adaptable when needed.
• BPM application: Organizations can gain from creating flexible processes that swiftly adjust to shifting consumer demands, market conditions, or internal changes. No disrespect to our footballers, but there are many more complex obstacles to overcome in the business world than on a football pitch.

5. Focus on training and development

• Football lesson: Modern players receive constant training to advance their abilities and adjust to new tactics. To see how the game and players have evolved, look at games from a few decades ago.
• BPM application: To improve employees' abilities and stay abreast of industry best practices, companies should fund continuous training and development programs for staff members. Your business shouldn't be operating like a 1970s football team.

6. Utilizing technology and innovation

• Football lesson: Today, modern technology (such as VAR and GPS trackers) for performance monitoring, injury prevention, and tactical decision-making is a common practice in football. These concepts were science fiction when this football competition first started in 1958.
• BPM application: Companies should use technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and process automation to improve process innovation and efficiency. These ideas are no longer just science fiction but are helping companies worldwide gain a competitive advantage.

7. Handling pressure and maintaining focus

• Football lesson: International football teams face tremendous pressure in high-stakes games. It becomes more challenging to play to win when the pressure increases. Just think of the unfortunate football players who must participate in penalty shootouts!
• BPM application: Organizations should foster a culture where their people and business process are resilient enough to handle pressure, stay focused on goals, and consistently perform despite never-ending challenges. And hopefully, you won't start requesting your people participate in any penalty shots.

8. Customer (fan) engagement and feedback

• Football lesson: International football teams improve their experience and fan loyalty by interacting with supporters. Football championships thrive on fan engagement and feedback. Hearing roaring stadium crowds is undoubtedly a massive thrill for football players and helps them deliver an even better performance for their fans.
• BPM application: Actively engage with your customers to gather feedback on their experiences with your business processes and services. This feedback can help meet and exceed customer expectations and drive continuous improvement. However, there is no guarantee that you will hear the roar of a football stadium crowd.

Conclusion

You may love the Euro 2024 Football Championship or still not care. However, Euro 2024 offers many lessons if your company is using BPM. By adopting international football team strategies, such as setting clear goals, fostering teamwork, leveraging technology, and staying adaptable, your company can enhance their business process management to improve efficiency, innovation, and overall success. Let's hope that the lessons of the Euro 2024 Football Championship can inspire your company to perform at a world-class level!

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