Life in the Pits

Greetings.  If you're a race car fan you know that speed matters.  It's an essential ingredient in winning almost any race.  But speed also matters in more than just the obvious way of having a fast car, because as many races are won and lost in the pits as on the track.  A fast car is certainly an essential part of the equation, but stuff happens to even the fastest and best-prepared cars during the course of every race.  When it does, the pit crew has to make split-second decisions and take split-second actions to keep their team's car in contention.  So maybe we can learn something from the world of auto racing that can help us succeed and prosper in a business world that increasingly demands greater speed.

But how does a great pit crew work during a pit stop?  And, what are their secrets for changing a car's tires, filling it with fuel, cleaning its air vents, and making other critical adjustments in less than ten seconds?  

Pit crews succeed by focusing on both the obvious things and the little details that could go unnoticed but result in big problems.  At the start and finish of the whirlwind process is, in Formula One racing terms, the "lollipop man."  He or she is the person who gets the car into the pit and signals the driver when it is safe to leave.  Split seconds count here.  Pit crews must also be ready for any contingency. While the race is on and the cars are zooming around the track, it might look as though they are simply hanging out waiting for the routine stops.  But they are actually focused on understanding anything that could possibly go wrong and what they would do to fix it.  In fact, the best pit crews spend countless hours training and practicing for any situation that could occur.  The 20 or so members also focus on their specific roles as team members and how they fit into the highly-orchestrated conduct of a pit stop.  Contrary to what one might imagine, they also spend countless hours getting and staying in shape so they can be quick enough to do what needs to be done.  After that, they might reach for a Budweiser or two.

Try to think of all the times when speed matters to your company or organization, especially when it comes to delivering compelling value to customers you serve. Then imagine how a top-notch pit crew would get the job done.

We win in business by being brilliant at a moment's notice.  Are you and the geniuses you work with up to the task?  If not, the key to your success might be only a race away!

Cheers!