Preparation and World Cup excuses

In the midst of the post match despair last night, I heard arguments about Capello's decision to inform his squad who was in the team, only two hours before the kick off. Within a context of business; the performing arts and the emergency services, there are situations where important decisions or actions are taken at less than 2 hours notice. A crisis might occur where a snap decision is needed; a tragic accident where firemen and hospitals have to implement life threatening actions and treatment; someone might be sick and an understudy given 10 minutes warning to perform in front of 2,000 people.

In all cases, the people involved are highly skillful; highly trained and very well prepared. In certain cases, they have mentally prepared themselves for such a crisis for years and the knowledge they have acquired during their career enables them to step in. They will also have prepared strategies for delivering emergency care or crisis management within their team.

The England Football squad are highly trained, skillful players and within their preparation, they will have had sufficient support to develop their mental preparation; including strategies for 'getting into the zone' within two hours of a match. To use this as an excuse is, possibly, a red herring.

We all know that the success of our performance - and of course I focus on communication skills - is dependent upon the quality of our preparation.

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World Cup Footballer Communication Watch: Our leader SG is speaking slightly clearer, although I don't know whether I have just managed to tune in to his thick dialect. He has clearly had some media skills, although more work is still required.
WR used his media skills work well yesterday, when he ranted after the game. Although the BBC wisely used subtitles, he spoke slowly and used a small phrase.
Capello is now asking for a translator: possibly wise given the anger of the media.

Preparation includes remembering your trousers

Over the weekend I am sure you read the faut pas the great International Opera Singer, Bryn Terfel did which created some 'titters' in the press. I have put a link through to the article below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5140272/Bryn-Terfels-night-at-the-opera-with-no-trousers.html

Bryn Terfel has been performing at an international level for over 15 years. He is highly respected, is a great colleague and a number of my ex-colleagues either know him or have worked with him, and do not have a negative word to say about him. He is a great singer, colleague and friend.

BUT, I was just rather surprised that he arrived at the venue of the concert quite late - there was no opportunity to go back to the hotel to collect his trousers, or to instruct either an assistant to do so. Presumably he had a run through in the afternoon, to check the balances, the venue etc. Normally artistes take their clothes at that point - to prevent any such error. They can go back to the hotel between the rehearsal and performance to collect anything they've forgotten. As a student I worked backstage at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, looking after the International Artistes such as Jose Carreras, Jesse Norman, Monserrat Caballe etc. This is what they did. They also had assistants who were available to go back to the hotel. Clothing was always put into their dressing room at the rehearsal time!

So what can we learn from this to prevent a "Bryn" occurring. Well, I don't want to preach: I do mention this to my clients regularly but...

• Arrive early. If there are problems such as something forgotten, there will be time to go back and get it.
• Have a checklist of what you need to take. Include everything from business cards to what you will wear. Check the checklist as you pack.
• Don't be tempted to skip the 'rehearsal time' at the venue. Not only does this provide valuable experience of learning the venue's characteristics, it could also alert you to anything you've forgotten.
• It is easy to blame your assistant for not packing something. In the theatre world, the buck stops at you - so check yourself!

Good luck. More information on our services is at http://www.executivevoice.co.uk