Bain & Company’s Post

😎 Inspiration and passion 🚵♂️ MVDP has won a second "Roubaix", with a sharp attack leaving the whole peloton stuck on the cobbles (and after a huge work from his teammates, especially Gianni) One week before, the Ronde van Vlanderen 🇧🇪 was for him as well. Earlier in the month, he was helping his buddy Japser winning La Primavera Milan-San Remo, by a decisive aspiration given to him. Everything done wearing his 🌈 jersey gained in Glasgow after an epic race. And before the other 🌈 jersey in Tabor for cyclo-cross, after a season in the mud of the Belgian tracks, the snow of Val di Sole. MVDP is amazing and amazingly inspiring, he : ➡ Shows how a leader embarks a whole team into a long-lasting project : more than 10 years in a row ! ➡ Legitimacy comes from the field and mutual respect : be fair, smart and honest ➡ Leads by example : attacks sharply when needed, helps, brings bidons to the teammates, gets awards and rewards his teammates ➡This sport is individual, but you are nothing without your teammates : winning is a team-affair ➡ Remains a human-being and could not fight for the victory in his homeland for the Amstel Gold Race : failure is not a problem... ➡ Makes his passion his daily routine, his job, his pleasure, his life : live your passion ➡ Confirms that loyalty, trust, recognition and empathy are the best soft skills ever for a great leader : have them part of your behavior and grow them As an amateur rider as I am, MVDP is a great source of inspiration. I will never ever get the tenth of his power and strength on a bike, but he makes me climb more and more and push harder on the pedals at each occasion. Business wise, the bullet points over here are acumens to have by ourselves... We have the same passion, his Christic celebration is forgiven 😁 Let's move forward together ! 🚵♂️ 🚵♂️ 🚵♂️ ⤵ What about you, what is your passion ? How does it drive you ?

FANTASTIC BUSINESS LESSON FROM THE OLYMPICS... Watching the Olympics over the weekend, I was particularly impressed with the Women's Cycling Road Race Event. The final sequence of this 158-kilometer (98 mile) race was thrilling... and (I believe) there's a business / sales takeaway. Here's the setup: American Kristen Faulkner, along with another cyclist from Belgium chased down the two leaders with about 3.5 kilometers remaining in the race. For a brief moment, there was a pack of 4... jockeying for position as they rounded a turn. Then, Kristen Faulkner made her move - she sprinted ahead of the pack - surprising the commentators and (presumably) her rivals as the finish line was still several kilometers ahead. Kristen explained afterwards: "I knew that if we caught them, then I had to attack because I couldn't beat any of them at the line. The best place to attack was right after we caught them and everyone was tired. That was my chance, I practiced my late attack several times this year." Kristen was the least experience cyclist among those on the podium. Her background is in business, having previously worked for a silicon valley VC firm. She walked away with the gold medal (the USA's first in that event in 40 years) and afterwards she said the following: "I learned how to calculate risks and assess risks. In a race, I take that mindset with me: What is the risk-reward ratio? Knowing when to go all in." For me... one of the big takeaways... DON'T ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL THE END TO MAKE YOUR MOVE. The world of business and competition is not always like a fireworks show... you don't need to wait until the finale! Knowing when to make your best move and sprint head (whether working on a project, giving a presentation, or directly facing off against your competition) is immensely important. #olympics #competition #sales #businesslesson

Congratulations to Beatrice Chebet (@beatrice_cheb) on her phenomenal achievement of securing double gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in both the 10,000 meters and 5000 meters! Your victories are not just a testament to your unparalleled talent and athleticism but also to the values of hard work, determination, and discipline that you embody. Lessons from Beatrice Chebet's Success: 1Consistency in Preparation: Beatrice's ability to excel in two demanding races within a short span showcases the importance of consistent and rigorous preparation. Her success reminds us that excellence is not a one-time effort but the result of persistent dedication. 2Mental Fortitude: Competing at the highest level, especially in events as grueling as long-distance running, requires immense mental strength. Beatrice’s triumph over seasoned competitors highlights the power of mental resilience in overcoming challenges and maintaining focus under pressure. 3Adaptability and Strategy: Beatrice’s races were against some of the best athletes in the world, including defending champions. Her ability to adapt her strategy, particularly in the final moments of the races, demonstrates the importance of being flexible and strategic in the face of competition. 4Inspiring Leadership: As a leading figure in Kenyan athletics, Beatrice has become a role model for aspiring athletes. Her achievements underscore the impact of leading by example, inspiring others to pursue their dreams with the same vigor and passion. 5National Pride and Legacy: Beatrice’s victories bring immense pride to Kenya, adding to the nation’s rich legacy in long-distance running. Her success is a reminder of how individual accomplishments contribute to a country’s global reputation, motivating future generations to carry the torch forward. Beatrice, you’ve not only made history but also provided us with invaluable lessons on the power of perseverance, mental toughness, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Congratulations again, and may your journey continue to inspire many more!🥇🥇 @OkilaFitness

My goal is to earn this prestigious medal- 3 down-3 to go! 🏃🏼♂️💨 I am asked often: “What is the Abbott World Marathon Majors?” If you’re a runner, or serious athlete, you probably already know the answer … but if not, here’s a quick explanation: 🤔🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 👉🏼The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The big deal is that these races attract elite athletes, amateur runners, and huge crowds of spectators, making them prestigious events in the running community. Completing all six majors is considered a significant achievement for marathon runners. . #abbottworldmarathonmajors #enduranceathlete #sixstarfinisher #futuregoals #athletetraining #recommendation #exercisemotivation #juststart #strengthandflexibility #befit #healthylifestyle #lifestyle #longevity #exerciseismedicine #purposefulmovement #foryourhealth #livehealthy #befit #rjhfitperspectivellc #certified #personaltrainer #nutritioncoach #runwalkcoach #nutritionstrengthmovement #doallthree #everyweek #htx #heightshouston (No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.)

⁠Annette's journey as an equestrian is a tale of passion, ambition, and resilience. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she found herself drawn to the world of horses, despite her parents not sharing the same interest. Her natural affinity for equestrian sports quickly turned into a competitive pursuit. ⁠ ⁠ Driven by her fierce competitive spirit, Annette excelled in local competitions, demonstrating her talent and dedication.⁠ ⁠ However, the transition to the international arena presented unforeseen challenges for Annette. Holding dual nationality, Dutch and Greek, she seized the opportunity to compete internationally for Greece. ⁠ ⁠ This leap into a larger, more competitive field proved to be a significant turning point. The shift from local to international competitions was daunting, leading to a drastic drop in her results. ⁠ ⁠ These challenges, however, did not dampen Annette's spirit. Instead, they became a catalyst for self-reflection and growth. Here are three tips on how self-reflection can help tackle such challenges:⁠ ⁠ Understanding Your Weaknesses: Through self-reflection, Annette gained insights into areas where she needed improvement. Acknowledging weaknesses is the first step towards turning them into strengths 🌱.⁠ ⁠ Setting Realistic Goals: Reflecting on her experiences allowed Annette to set more realistic and achievable goals for her international competitions. This approach helps in maintaining motivation and focus, even in the face of setbacks 🎯.⁠ ⁠ Learning from Failures: Annette used self-reflection to analyze her failures, not as defeats, but as learning opportunities. Understanding what went wrong and how to improve for the next competition is crucial for growth and development 📈.⁠ ⁠ @annette_paterakis⁠ ⁠ #Bridl #BuyWithBridl #ShowJumping #FairTrade #Ethical #Trust #Business #Transparency #Equestrian #EquestrianLife #Equine #HorseLife #HorseLover #Horses #HorseLove #BuyAHorse #BuyAHorseWithBridl

🏅Lessons from non-traditional sports at the Paris Olympics🏅 Reflecting on the Paris Olympics, three non-traditional events and the remarkable gold-winning athletes stood out for me – not just for their extraordinary performances, but also for the valuable lessons they offer to the corporate world. 1. Sport Climbing: Janja Garnbret and Toby Roberts exemplified the importance of focus and the ability to tackle complex challenges on the fly. In the corporate world, success often depends on our capacity to adapt and strategically navigate unexpected obstacles. 2. Kayak Cross: Noemie Fox and Finn Butcher showcased the need for a balance between agility and precision to navigate treacherous waters. Similarly, in business, we must often steer through challenges with both speed and control. 3. Breaking (Break Dancing): Ami Yuasa and Philip Kim demonstrated how embracing a unique style and pushing boundaries can lead to success. While the jury is still out on whether this should be counted as a sport, it undoubtedly teaches us that fostering creativity and individuality in the corporate world can drive innovation and set an organisation apart. Which sporting event captured your interest? #learning #leadership #lifelessons

Teamwork. Strategy. Resilience. Grit. I'm thrilled that my favorite rider, Tadej Pogacar, won the 2024 Tour de France yesterday, his third Yellow Jersey in five years. What a rider! Why post about the Tour de France? It spans 21 days and roughly 2200 miles. You and the team need to perform every single day, just as you and your business team are required to show up each day. It ends with an individual time trial, and time trials are referred to as "the race of truth." Why? The time trial is the most authentic presentation of these riders' skills. Pogacar won the 21st and final stage, a time trial stage, by over 1 minute. Teamwork- yes, because even though an individual rider wins, they only have a chance to do so with a solid, well performing team to support them. Watching the finish this year was strange. Because of the preparation for the Summer Olympics, this was the first time in 111 years that the race did not end on the Paris’ Champs-Élysées. The final stage was Monaco to Nice. Here are the final jersey standings for the 2024 Tour de France: Congratulations to all of the winners. Yellow (general classification): Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) Green (points classification): Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) White (young rider classification): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) Polka dot (mountains classification): Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) Yellow numbers (teams classification): UAE Team Emirates #Teamwork #Strategy #Resilience #Grit #Leadership

*On unexpected presents, trying, failing, but still winning* Yesterday in Geneva, I finished the 10km race in 58min 59 secs. Very slow for my usual standards (was hoping for less than 55 mins). Why was I slow? Who knows? I ran about 80km last month in training doing an optimal mix of long runs, short runs, interval training: I did gym too twice or so per week. So I was well prepared. Still during the run yesterday, at about the 6km mark, after quite a climb, I felt like the air had been popped out of me. I just did not have energy. The moral of the story? I gritted my teeth and kept running, spurred on by the crowd who were so sweet. I am still happy I finished and still in a reasonably respectable time. Sometimes we don't get what we want, even if well prepared and if we put in all the effort. We have good days and bad days. I am just happy to be fit and healthy. I am sure I will still try break 55 mins sometime soon (in my 20s I could manage about 45 mins--but I have not managed to break 55mins since I have been in my 40s). What is most important is to try, stay fit, keep healthy. That is the goal; that is the ultimate mission. And if a small accolade follows in a competitive event, all the better--it is an unexpected present. #GeneveMarathon

The 1% Factor - The law of marginal gains Sir Dave Brailsford is be hailed as the performance guru who transformed the Great Britain Cycling team into Olympic Champions. The idea was that hidden advantages could be summed together to produce an overall improvement (a faster cyclist) by finding 1% gains in these up-to-then undiscovered areas. He basically improved everything by 1%. A 1% improvement might not be instantly noticeable, but in the long run it could make a big difference – especially as the results are cumulative. In our lives, at home or at work, we might focus on the big change, the big solution. But focusing on the little things and aiming for continuous improvement might be even more powerful.

It’s great to see a spotlight being shone on the under-representation of women in high-performance coaching as we approach the Paris Games, which has been named the gender equal games. While there may be parity on the field of play, there is still work to do to achieve parity in coaching and leadership. The reasons women are underrepresented are multifaceted, from self limiting beliefs caused by few role models, stereotypes leading to women being overlooked, and sexism and misogyny that make them feel unwelcome. UK Sport UK Coaching and NGBs are doing some great work to support women in coaching. Through a combination of networks, development opportunities, research, and storytelling, we are gaining a deeper understanding of the influences on women in coaching and what it takes to creat inclusive workforces and workplaces. Examples of positives steps that individuals, leaders, and organisations can take: Visibility - share stories, celebrate women coaches, show they exist and have a valuable contribution to make to coaching. This includes coaches getting more comfortable with self promotion on social media…easier said than done because ambitious women are perceived to be competent but not likeable. So we need leaders and organisations to shine a light on them too. Opportunities - make sure roles and opportunities are shared publicly and widely. Approach women and ask them if they’ve seen it (take it to them rather than relying on them coming to you). Make the process transparent, including the decision making process (have a panel of diverse people). Be flexible with the roles and opportunities being created (for example, can it be part time?). Show commitment by having development conversations with a long term focus and provide mentors so the burden is removed from people who are already overstretched. Be aware of glass cliff appointments (see article), provide adequate support so they can succeed. We are moving in the right direction so I am optimistic about the percentage of women coaches at Paris 2024. Let’s keep doing great work for coaches at all levels.