| A recent conversation about Brett Favre joining the | | | | In business terms, the Vikings had employees in |
| Vikings led me to consider the implications of | | | | place, but were missing the corporate leadership to |
| corporate leadership and a company hiring a CEO | | | | call and execute a successful business plan. If a |
| superstar, such as Brett Favre. I was debating with a | | | | business continually performs, but is consistently |
| friend in the private equity business whether we | | | | missing on one or two metrics, it is missing big |
| would make the decision to sign Favre if we owned | | | | opportunities. |
| the Minnesota Vikings. As a retained executive | | | | Some companies have a strong product or service |
| recruiter, this discussion led me to consider whether I | | | | and are able to expand the business at a steady |
| would recommend a Brett Favre CEO to a client. | | | | pace; however, they are missing out on achieving a |
| Brett Favre recently changed his mind about | | | | large, positive growth curve. These organizations may |
| retirement (for the second time) and signed with his | | | | employ strong functional executives and solid financial |
| former rival, the Minnesota Vikings, sparking mixed | | | | systems, IT systems and operational processes, yet |
| emotions among NFL fans. Whether you like him or | | | | they lack the corporate leadership to pull it all |
| not, the 39-year-old legendary quarterback has had a | | | | together and execute a business growth plan. |
| Hall of Fame career. The Vikings have signed him to a | | | | Organizational Turnaround |
| two-year, $25 million contract in order to upgrade the | | | | In assessing whether or not to hire a Brett Favre as |
| QB position, bring corporate leadership to the team | | | | CEO for a company in crisis management, it is |
| and deliver a Super Bowl victory to the Viking's. | | | | important to consider a candidate's track record. With |
| Critics and fans have responded with fervor. Despite | | | | CEOs as well as quarterbacks, prior success is a |
| the media circus surrounding the news, the August | | | | strong indicator for future performance. |
| 21st edition of USA Today reported that fans have | | | | Let's consider Favre's background: he owns records |
| purchased more than 4,000 season tickets, 14,000 | | | | for completions, completion percentage, interceptions, |
| individual game tickets and 4,000 Favre jerseys within | | | | sacks, touchdowns, yards passing, pass attempts, 3 |
| 72 hours of his signing. However, critics have | | | | NFL MVPs and starts, among others. In 2008, Favre |
| questioned Favre's abilities given his injuries; others | | | | had a 65.7 percent completion rate, which was the |
| question whether he wanted to play this season, but | | | | second-best completion rate of his career. His best |
| didn't want to attend training camp. Still others are | | | | season for completion rate was just one year earlier, |
| critical of Favre, and that his retirement flip-flops | | | | the 2007 season. Favre is second in NFL history with |
| have become tiresome. | | | | "come-from-behind" fourth-quarter or overtime |
| From the perspective of a retained executive | | | | victories, second only to John Elway's 47 victories. |
| recruiter focused on corporate leadership, the drama | | | | High completion percentages and the ability to pull |
| of hiring of Favre creates an interesting discussion | | | | through in the clutch are key attributes a company |
| about corporate leadership decisions within a | | | | needs from corporate leadership. |
| company. Let's explore the benefits that a Brett | | | | Favre's past successes - coupled with his |
| Favre can bring to corporate leadership. | | | | performance in the last two years - indicate he has |
| Accelerate Growth: | | | | what it takes for a corporate leadership role. |
| Let's assume a client's company is similar to the | | | | Additionally, the Vikings have the team members to |
| Viking's organization in regard to their 2008 | | | | support Favre and take some of the pressure off of |
| performance. They maintained their performance - at | | | | him, including Adrian Peterson, the Viking's star |
| times on the verge of tremendous success - but are | | | | running back. |
| looking to enhance and accelerate growth. | | | | In business, a Favre CEO has played through almost |
| The following outlines the state of the Vikings in | | | | every conceivable situation he could encounter. If a |
| 2008. | | | | CEO knows the business, the key drivers, the right |
| In 2008, the Minnesota Vikings' offense was: | | | | playmakers and how to execute the business plan, |
| 1. 5th in rushing offense but 28th in passing attempts | | | | he is a great choice. |
| per game and | | | | A Sound Solution |
| 2. 25th in total yards and 25th in passing completions | | | | If a company is in need of dramatic change or |
| The Vikings defense was: | | | | accelerated growth, is the best choice someone |
| 1. 7th in giving up the fewest number of yards per | | | | untested with promising credentials or someone with |
| play and | | | | a proven track record and veteran corporate |
| 2. 6th in terms of giving up the fewest total yards | | | | leadership? In the case of the Vikings, their choice is |
| per game | | | | right on target with their goal: Brett Favre was a |
| The Vikings delivered a strong defensive | | | | good hire. |
| performance and a few offensive players performed | | | | While a thorough assessment would need to be |
| well individually. However, the Vikings could not pull it | | | | completed, I would recommend to my private equity |
| all together. The Viking's organizational metrics and | | | | friend that he and a company's board of directors |
| results for make it obvious that the team's missing | | | | consider a Brett Favre CEO for both a corporate |
| piece was corporate leadership and competence at | | | | turnaround and accelerated growth situation. |
| the sport's most critical position - quarterback. | | | | |