Just over 18-months ago, I spoke at the Digital Sports Summit in Melbourne regarding Social media and sports. Also speaking at that conference were Jeremie McPeak from NBA’s Phoenix Suns and Collingwood’s Harry O’Brien. Attending were numerous journalists -especially those who worked online.

Not surprisingly, a lot has changed since then. We now employ a Social Media manager at the Perth Wildcats as do most major sporting clubs. Portals like Facebook and Twitter are key vehicles for engagement in our organisation.

However, it is the change on the other side of the fence -journalists and news agencies – that deserves some comment.

Good manners are the grease that keeps the moving parts in all organisations working together smoothly and efficiently.

This applies to as much to management as it does in society.

I’ve always insisted on this in every organisation I’ve managed – starting with swearing. There is no room for it in the workplace. It’s a sign of weakness – an inability to express oneself well, emotional frailty.

Irrespective of the situation and how challenging it may be, managers must be able to articulate well without resorting to name-calling and foul language.

So Coles and Woolworths drop milk to $1 a litre here in WA. They claim it is to attract customers.

The 101 of price slashing is that it’s a slippery slide to the bottom.

The price of milk is not a draw card for my family as to which supermarket we choose to do our weekly shopping.

In the basket of shopping goods it comprises a very small proportion. What’s more, most people don’t buy milk just once a week. You want it fresh and so you grab a couple of bottles as you need them.

I grew up in India in the 70s and 80s in a suburb in Madras (now Chennai) that is now the hub of movie making in the southern part of the country.

We didn’t have a fridge and hence most of the food was purchased daily. Both parents worked and so my mum had to come home from a full day’s work and then cook for the family as my dad often worked late into the night.

Whilst management is often focussed on doing new things…commencing new strategies it also useful to consider the process of strategic abandonment.

In business and in life I practice strategic abandonment.

What is it that we are doing at present that we must stop doing? What systems, processes, activities, people and even values should we abandon?

Only if we stop doing certain things and free up our resources can we effectively commence new ones.

This also applies to people. In all organisations there are those that evolve with it and then are those that simply can’t or won’t. It is important to manage these people out of the organisation appropriately.

There’s an increasing trend amongst corporates to operate their businesses with little regard for their environments – until they are brought to account. And when this happens there is very little in terms of an apology…rather we get the obvious spin and PR handling.

The issues with Toyota and their slow reaction to their vehicle recalls are well documented. It was only when the groundswell of disdain reached global proportions did the company commence clear and pro-active communication.

BP is yet to apologise for the oil spill off the US coast. Recently, there has been a lot of finger pointing at the rig-maker, Transocean.

17 April 2010 – Nick Marvin

Recruiting season is always a difficult time for sporting clubs.

This year the process will be even more challenging with the addition of a ninth team, the Sydney Kings. A talent pool of 80-odd active players must now be spread to nine teams.

Add to that the retirement of Sam Mackinon, Chris Anstey, Martin Cattalini, Paul Rogers, Tony Ronaldson, (arguably a group of starters) and Tony Rampton.

Then there are those who wish to play overseas or unlikely to return: Mark Worthington, Julius Hodge and Tywain McKee, Awee Storey and John Rillie.

Australia’s Premier Sport and Digital Media Event

Digital Sport Summit (www.digitalsport.com.au), Australia’s premier sport and digital media event, will launch today and herald a new era in the arena of sports marketing. It provides a unique opportunity to hear from social media pioneers who are changing the face of Australian sport, and learn how social media and mobile technology is taking fan engagement to a whole new level.

Collingwood Football Club defender Harry O’Brien, noted for his strong fan engagement through use of Twitter and his own personal website (www.harrysworld.com.au), will be in attendance to speak from the player’s perspective regarding the social media phenomenon. Sponsorship for the event has been secured from internationally renowned social media website Mashable (www.mashable.com) and Read Write Web (www.readwriteweb.com)

There are those who see the glass as half-full and those that see it as half-empty.

I am often told that I belong to the latter group.

Whilst I understand my perspective is often derided by many, here is an argument for those that share my views.

To see a glass half-empty, may not be optimistic to some, but in fact it is very opportunistic.

A half-full view on life or situations in life may foster complacency and mediocrity. Why do we need to do any more? The glass is half-full.

Attentiveness is critical for not just good managers and leaders but all men and women of good character.

Lack of attentiveness is fast becoming commonplace.

We seem to be living in constant state of distraction.

No one person or task gets our full attention these days: reading emails while on the phone; putting people on hold or winding up an important conversation to take another incoming call; taking a phone call or answering emails on your Blackberry whilst in a meeting; texting on your phone whilst with your family…the list is endless.