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Gamechangers: Drawing Parallels Between Sporting Success And Purposeful Values Precision, teamwork, resilience, innovation, sustainable practices, and the pursuit of excellence are the hallmarks of both the sporting world and successful tech management.

By Frank Janssens

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This last weekend of thrilling sporting achievements serves as a fitting metaphor for the values and ethos that drive successful technology companies.

England's dramatic advancement to the quarterfinals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (aka Euro 2024), Denmark's goal ruled offside by technology at the same tournament, and the Indian cricket team's incredible catch to clinch the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup, all reflect qualities that resonate deeply with the best practices in tech management.

These events highlight the importance of precision, teamwork, resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence– values that are intrinsic to both the sporting world and the tech industry.

PRECISION AND ACCURACY: THE WINNING EDGE

In sports, as in technology, precision is paramount. Denmark's disallowed goal due to a marginal offside decision underscores the critical role of technology in ensuring fairness and accuracy. The use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology to make such finely tuned decisions mirrors the exacting standards required in tech products. Devices and systems are designed to deliver precise and reliable data, much like the technology that ensures accuracy in sports officiating.

This precision not only maintains the integrity of the game, but also determines the outcome of entire tournaments. For tech companies, precision is not just a technical specification, but a core value that underpins the trust clients place in their solutions. Every product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of accuracy, similar to the technology used to determine the offside call in the Denmark game.

Related: Building and Leading High Performing Teams Through Teamwork

TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION: THE POWER OF UNITY

England's last-minute advancement to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 was a testament to the power of teamwork and collective effort. The synchronized play, strategic coordination, and mutual support among the players were key to their success. This mirrors the collaborative spirit within successful tech companies, where teamwork is essential to innovation and problem-solving.

Global teams working across different regions and time zones exemplify a commitment to collaboration. A diverse workforce brings together a wealth of expertise and perspectives, enabling the development of cutting-edge solutions that meet complex needs. Just as England's football team leverages the strengths of each player to achieve their goals, tech companies harness the collective expertise of their teams to drive progress and deliver value.

RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE: NEVER BACK DOWN

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the world championship, highlighted by an impossible catch, epitomizes resilience, and the refusal to give up in the face of adversity. This remarkable feat required not just physical agility, but also mental strength and determination. Similarly, the journey of tech companies over the decades has been marked by resilience and an unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges.

In the highly competitive technology market, companies must consistently demonstrate their ability to adapt and thrive. Resilience is reflected in their capacity to innovate and stay ahead of industry trends, even in the face of economic fluctuations and technological disruptions. The Indian cricket team's victory through a display of grit and tenacity is a powerful parallel to the persistent pursuit of excellence and the dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT: LEADING THE CHARGE

Technology played a crucial role in this weekend's sporting events, from the VAR decisions in football to the advanced training techniques in cricket. Innovation and technological advancement are also at the heart of success in the tech industry. A commitment to research and development ensures that companies remain at the forefront of the industry, delivering state-of-the-art solutions that drive efficiency and accuracy.

The use of advanced technology in sports to enhance performance and decision-making mirrors the approach of leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of customers. Whether it's developing new sensor technologies or integrating IoT solutions into products, the dedication to continuous improvement and innovation enables tech companies to offer solutions that not only meet but exceed the expectations of their clients. At KROHNE, 10% of our workforce globally is dedicated to research and development to this end.

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION: BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

Sustainable innovation is a cornerstone of modern technology management, much like the emphasis on sustainability in sports training and management. The focus on long-term, human-centric decisions is facilitated by the ability to prioritize sustainable practices and investments that benefit both customers and the environment.

Commitment to sustainability is evident in the development of energy-efficient products and efforts to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. Taking a long-term view, making decisions that support the well-being of employees, customers, and communities aligns with the values seen in sports, where sustainable practices and long-term planning are essential for enduring success.

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE: THE DRIVE TO BE THE BEST

At the core of the weekend's sporting triumphs is the pursuit of excellence. Whether it's England's football team fighting till the last minute, Denmark's adherence to the highest standards despite the setback, or the Indian cricket team's spectacular performance, excellence is the common thread. This relentless pursuit of excellence is also central to the philosophy of leading technology companies.

Excellence is not just an aspiration but a standard to uphold in everything done. From the quality of products to the level of service provided, the commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for customers drives continual improvement and innovation. This dedication ensures that companies remain trusted partners in their respective sectors.

A WINNING FORMULA

The thrilling events of this sporting weekend offer a vivid illustration of the values that underpin both athletic success and corporate achievement. Precision, teamwork, resilience, innovation, sustainable practices, and the pursuit of excellence are the hallmarks of both the sporting world and successful tech management. As we celebrate these sporting milestones, we are reminded of the importance of these values in driving success and achieving greatness. At KROHNE, we are proud to embody these principles in our daily operations, ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional value and performance to our clients around the world.

Related: Managing Your Modern Workforce In The MENA Region: The How-To

Frank Janssens is the Vice President of Middle East and Africa at KROHNE.

The KROHNE Group is a family-owned global manufacturer and provider of process instrumentation, measurement solutions and services empowering customers across all industries to make informed sustainable decisions. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, KROHNE offers local contacts for instrumentation projects of any size in over 100 countries. KROHNE stands for innovation and the highest product quality as one of the market leaders in the process industry.

An experienced industrial instrumentation business leader, Janssens has enabled growth in key industries and markets around the world for KROHNE through insight, entrepreneurial opportunism and a passion for building a customer centric team around shared value and purpose. As the head for the Middle East and Africa, Janssens delivers engineered solutions for process and automation control across multiple industries and sectors: oil and gas, water and wastewater, food and beverage, metal and mining.

Janssens is incredibly proud of KROHNE today, balancing commercial and purposeful commitments: an independent business, fully owned by the Rademacher-Dubbick family, whilst Sustainability Partner of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK), member of IRENA’s Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, and active corporate member of the United Nations Global Compact network.

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