Keeping your business on the ball during the World Cup

No, it’s not because they doubt the strength of Southgate’s 3-5-2 or Phil Jones’ reliability in defence, it’s because Brazil 2014 cost British businesses an estimated £5bn. The reason behind this lies in the fact that a quarter of men admitted they planned to pull a sickie before the tournament, and it appears many of them went through with it.

So, with the World Cup just a couple of weeks away, how can small business owners ensure they get a strong performance out of their team during the tournament?

Here’s Currys PC World Business’ three tops tips to a winning World Cup:

1. Set the rules

Whether you’re showing the World Cup in the office or not, it’s important that you are clear with everyone in your team before kick-off. Hardened football fans won’t be happy coming into work expecting to be able to keep an eye on the game on the office TV if there’s a strict no World Cup in the workplace policy! Make sure you let everyone know what you’re planning before the tournament, so people can book time off as required.

2. Be flexible

With World Cup matches starting at any time between 1pm-7pm (UK time), consider offering more flexible working hours during the tournament. Allowing team members to start a little earlier and head out of the office by the time their favourite team kicks off would be a great start. Showing you understand your employees’ passions can go a long way towards boosting loyalty within your small business.

3. Engage a wider audience

Our own recent research revealed that nearly three-quarters of workers (72%) thought showing World Cup matches in the office would boost morale, while over half (59%) thought it would bring the office closer together. Showing the World Cup therefore has the potential to benefit those beyond the office football fans, so why not consider having it on in your workplace?

Whether you’re a football fan or not, the World Cup will be hard to avoid this summer. It doesn’t, however, need to lead to sick days, staff shortages and a decrease in productivity, as per previous tournaments. In fact, with more than 50% of Britons saying they’re willing to work late during the tournament, providing they can watch their team play while at work, and the same percentage saying it will make them more enthusiastic about their work, it might just pay to invest in a new TV for your office and keep your team on the ball this summer. It doesn’t even need to break the bank!

About the author 

Jim O’Hagan, Business Development Director, at Currys PC World Business.