“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”
-Jerry Rice
The Super Bowl is the biggest game of the year for the NFL. Teams are given an extra week to prepare and get healthy so that the conditions are optimal. The game is always played in either a warm weather location or inside a dome to prevent external conditions from impacting the game. The teams prepare all year for this crescendo to the season.
In economic development, the big game doesn’t usually happen under perfect conditions; it often arises very quickly. A “big” client can call and give you 24 hours to prepare to show your community, or an existing company can call and say that global economic conditions are causing them tough times, and they need some help.
These “big game” moments require that we stand prepared much more like a military unit ready to be called to battle than a sports team. Civic leaders must build platforms and organizations that allow them to not only do proactive work, but to respond when they get that exhilarating – or frightening – call.
Much like a military unit, our organizations must prepare and study the protocols and processes in place so that when the call comes, we respond quickly and effectively.
Given that the conditions will have variables that cannot be predicted, we must also be prepared to adapt and solve problems creativity.
If our communities prepare for the big game consistently, we will likely win a lot of games along the way and respond effectively when the problems do arise.
You never know when the big game may occur.
-Kenny McDonald