What Can We Learn from Basketball?

By Lauren White.

Lessons from the Orlando Magic to help your business be successful.

“This Magic Moment” details the rise and fall of the 1990s Orlando Magic basketball team.  As one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries, this fascinating story is told by a combination of interviews and live footage.  Ryan Groth from the Sales Transformation Group reflects, “As a kid, I remember the buzz that surrounded this incredible team—until it stopped.”

So what happened exactly?

Ryan explains some of the lessons that businesses can take away from the “rise” and “fall” of this franchise:

The Rise:

Pat Williams, the Magic co-founder, is responsible for Orlando having basketball.  According to Ryan, “Pat Williams was a visionary and a marketer...It was a miracle and this guy seemed to be waving the wand.”  Ryan wants you to ask yourself, “Are you a visionary and a marketer?”  

They used out-of-the-box thinking to come up with ways to get fans excited.  Examples included Stuff the Magic Dragon (the official mascot), cheerleaders, and loud music.  Ryan asks, “What’s your point of differentiation in building your fanbase?”

Resilient recruiting resulted in Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal being a part of the team.  “Talent will change everything once in a generation,” Ryan explains. How are you actively looking to find your Shaq?

Lastly, luck.  Ryan asks, “When you get two stabs at the top pick, will you choose wisely?” 

The Fall:

Four failed free throws by Nick Anderson sucked the confidence out of the team.  Ryan explains, “They [the Magic] couldn’t get back up; confidence is your magic.”

Another fall was the teams’ inability to come back from this dip in their performance and points.  “Do you have the mindset to bounce back and use it? Can your players come through the clutch?” Ryan asks.

Jealousy created distance between core players.  Shaq was resentful of Penny Hardaway’s success. “Can you create an environment where egos don’t thrive because there’s a mission bigger than the individuals? asks Ryan.”

Orlando didn’t make Shaq feel appreciated.  So, with free agency, Shaq left the Magic for the Lakers.  Ryan suggests, “You have to pay your talent if they’re Shaq level.”  

And finally, Penny’s performance wasn’t the same after the injury to his left knee. 

Ryan explains that, “Ultimately, this story is about a team that was ‘destined to win multiple titles,’ but instead dispersed into the team ‘that should’ve been.’”  Use these lessons and learn how to become a winning franchise instead of saying, “What if?” 

PS - Register for the one day Sales Bootcamp on September 15 in Miami, Florida.

For your free 45-minute strategy session with Ryan visit their special RCS promotional page.