IndianFootball.Com guest columns: World Cup Modules

IndianFootball.Com guest columns: SANJOY MITRA

World Cup Modules

The recently concluded football World Cup has shown certain interesting things, if judged from management's point of view. I found the following modules appealing as a marketing professional:

The Australian Module - The right strategy and plan followed by system implementation can put one in the big league, even if there are resources and investments constraints. Gus Hiddink worked diligently with a bunch of physically fit and supreme athletes over certain tenure and it was only a last second unfortunate goal, which cost them dearer. The performance of the Socceroos was stupendous.

The Italian Module - It is extremely important to have the right product mix in order to achieve the eventual goal. The Italians were probably the only team in the tournament who exhibited this. The statistics reveal all:
(a) They scored 12 goals, second only to the Germans and conceded only two (one through an own goal and the other through a penalty).
(b) As many as 10 Italians found their names on the score sheet, stressing the depth in their squad.
(c) The optimum utilization of reserve bench and meaningful contribution from each and every team member.
(d) The right mixes of offence and defence.
(e) They were the eventual Cup winners ala La Dolce Vita.

The French Module - Tried and tested methods often bring you results. Though higher risks imply higher returns, this may not be the case always. Everybody had ignored the aged French team, but their experience surged them ahead to the finals.

The Samba Module - A back up for any plan is important as if one fails, you have a substitute. The Brazilian team depended too much on Ronaldinho and clearly paid the price for it. They were predictable and lacked an alternative plan. In spite of big promises, they were far from impressive.

The German Module - If innovative marketing tools are mixed with the traditional methods, one can achieve things beyond expectations. Juergen Klinsmann mixed his attacking instincts with the traditional German passing game. Consequently, they secured the third position in the recently concluded World Cup and scored the maximum number of goals (14) in the tournament.

The Argentine Module - If a product peaks too early in the product life cycle, it also reaches stagnation relatively faster compared to the other products. Similarly, the Argentines reached their peak with a mind boggling tennis match score (6-0) against Serbia and Montenegro in their group phase, but somehow lost the fizz and bowed to the Germans in the knockout stages.

The English Module - It is just one of those cases, wherein your product simply failed to catch up with the customers in spite of having the right product mix and adequate promotional campaigns. It keeps on failing every time in spite of big promises.
And perhaps Scolari, who propelled the Portuguese to the fourth slot, exhibited the best example of a good project leader with his effective team management and leadership qualities.
We just hope that India can take a few lessons from these modules and surge ahead with an effective product plan.
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