Sunday April, 14th was the culmination of the character development from Friday.  The AWP Sports 7v7 team traveled to Addison, Illinois to compete in an IMG Regional Competition.  My day started by driving to Ft. Wayne at 3:30 AM to get there for the 5:00 AM departure time for the charter bus.  Throughout a fierce day of competition, the AWP Team lost a tough game in the championship, our first loss of the season, but still earned an invitation to the IMG Regional on May 18th in Chicago, Illinois.  As a coach it was difficult to come in the first tournament and see us lose to a team we were far better than.  Early in tournament play we had great success in handedly defeating far better teams than the team we lost to in the championship.  Our loss was a great learning experience to focus on fundamentals.  Those fundamental mistakes brought to light a major correlation to business as well.  The product and services provided must always maintain an intent focus on small details and business fundamentals.  These tournaments offer a great opportunity to focus on the product and service being offered by AWP Sports.  Carrying oneself with self-respect, dignity, and integrity is extremely important.  Using the stage to promote the product that has been cultivated through the services offered by the organization is only a small aspect of the experience.  Networking with the tournament operator, the IMG regional chairperson, and the news media from ESPN, Rivals, Scout.com, 247sports, who were all in attendance is also important.  Other organizations go person-to-person handing out fliers for upcoming events and a major subculture of 7v7 is evident at the events.  After a tough loss, the ride home was really important because it was a chance to reflect on the day, but most importantly help cultivate a plan of attack for the coming weeks.  Seeing other organizations and the way they performed, market themselves, and carry themselves on the field is affirmation that AWP Sports is going about things the right way. 

The 3 hour and 30 minute bus ride was very enlightening.  Learning the processes of marketing the business, negotiating agreements, and cultivating relationships with stakeholders on the periphery was all vital information that can be applied directly to my experience with the MBA program.  To see a program grow and develop is a really special experience.  Each person plays a different role within the 7v7 tournament and without one element, all of those people in the picture above would feel the impact of that.  One overriding theme during the tournament that resonated with me was that, although there are two teams participating for the AWP Sports program in the tournament (AWP Black and AWP Grey), they are all a part of one AWP Sports organization and they represent the organization so it is imperative that all involved are on equal footing when it comes to attention, accountability, and expectations.  The product being put out is a representation of the organization and to expect any less of a team, coach, or player because of the color they wear is the same as expecting one employee to do more than another because they are in a different plant. 

After the ride home I had an extended 1 hour and 30 minute trip back to my home and it served as a great opportunity for personal reflection and planning for the coming weeks.  It is imperative that each day is a focused journey that leads to growth.  Going back to Friday's character development, we find ourselves now knowing the current state of the organization (in this case the 7v7 team) and we can now build a plan of action to achieve the goals set forth.  From an organizational standpoint, this weekend, April 19th is a one day football camp that acts as a great tool to spread the message about AWP Sports and re-evaluate marketing and promotional strategies moving forward. 

Friday April, 12th was a night of character development.  This was a period to reflect on the purpose of the organization, establish the current state, organize a plan, and determine goals.  My night was spent observing the initial instructional session and then shifting to an open forum and actively participating in open dialogue with members of the AWP staff and also AWP elite performance members.  Common themes discussed throughout the night was an emphasis on being driven by growth rather than goals.  If one is driven by goals, then once they are accomplished then what's next?  The staff stresses being growth conscious as a key element to constant positive change and personal achievement.  The business approach to knowing one's weaknesses and limitations is the first step in understanding what areas to attack.  Self-evaluations followed by a plan of action will help increase the potential to grow and follow a path uniquely designed for you.  The open forum was a chance for all to reflect on the character development session and was a great opportunity to learn what makes people tick, what drives people to achieve, and what is ultimately a hurdle that could prevent them from achieving success.  Organization structure coupled with a clear understanding of the purpose and vision of an organization is key in any achievement and growth.  An emphasis on being a lifelong learner and embracing the process (being flexible with day in day out adversity) will encourages understanding of the whole organization not just one aspect of it.