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What’s the score?”, “we’re playing the long game!” and “a game of two halves” are now familiar phrases around the boardroom table. The links between football and business have become glaringly obvious, and in Business and the Beautiful Game the authors draw an analogy between these two worlds. This lively and entertaining book provides a framework for a fresh way of thinking about business, helping readers to remember what’s important, on and off the pitch and in and out of the workplace. Combining wit and wisdom, this book makes useful observations without taking the business world too seriously. A must-read for those wanting to tackle the corporate world from a new angle! About The Author Theo Theobald is a freelance writer and business consultant with a track record that includes six years in senior sales and marketing management positions with the BBC and a creative writing career embracing major internet and audio production. Cary Cooper is a BUPA Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Manchester School of Management (UMIST). is President of the of Management and also President of the Institute of Welfare Officers. Table of Contents The first half Chapter 1 Skills Have you got what it takes? The value of skills in the war for talent What is your value? The essential skill mix Six critical skills Light at the end of the tunnel More enlightened HR Chapter 2 Ambition The hunger of the winner Personal or cultural? True Brit The life cycle of ambition What are you ambitious for? Measure your AQ Chapter 3 Passion Your greatest asset is belief The importance of passion Where does passion spring from? What does passion look like? How do we get more passion? Extra time and the extra mile Love and loyalty Chapter 4 Stress How to cope under pressure How can you be stressed? What causes stress? More than just control Stress relief Support Chapter 5 Discipline Keeping your cool and keeping order The elements of self-discipline Discipline and performance management Guidelines for discipline Crime and punishment Chapter 6 Captaincy Marshalling your troops What do captains do? Have you got what it takes? Application of captaincy skills Expectations of a team captain The second half Chapter 7 Coaching Helping others learn What makes a good coach? A practical approach to coaching Elements of a coaching session Support and challenge Chapter 8 Management The most difficult job in the world Strategy — just what is it? Management — a bit like captaincy Leadership and management Politics People management What’s the job? Handling conflict Conducting disciplinary meetings Chapter 9 Selection Picking your best performers Supply and demand The squad approach Getting the right team Structure Gap identification Attracting talent Diversity and discrimination Pointers to good selection Organic management Fitness versus spirit Chapter 10 Opposition Outwitting the competition Who are they, where are they? Weighing up your advantage Exploiting your analysis What are they playing at? Keep your eye on the opposition and plan ahead Some thoughts on ‘gap analysis’ Competitive strategies Getting the big things right Chapter 11 Full time Final thoughts Additional reading Index