Years ago, when I was part of a “management advisory seminar” for a huge US engineering company, I gave them a presentation on globalization. I started my talk by showing them a video of Romario and Bebeto beating the US.
My point was that “until we realize what this game means and until our company understands this at a personal level, we will not be a global company.”
The point is still valid. How many American executives will stop everything they are doing to watch the World Cup? That metric is a measure of your globalization level at your company.
This year almost 3 billion viewers will watch the Cup.
For a global view, see this article in the Globalist >>
Here’s a tidbit:
“…the distant U.S. attitude about soccer suggests a deeper truth about world politics. The United States, in its capacity as the only global superpower, has already chosen to isolate itself in many other areas, such as the fight against global warming or for the protection of children. These are only two of a dozen or so international treaties Washington has decided to ignore. It is only telling that U.S. sports fans will by in large ignore the World Cup — while the rest of the world will be watching.”
Soccer and politics – again!