Golden Knights’ Front Office Spells Out Business Lessons With Hockey Terms — (Remember, Office is Just Off Ice)
By ALAN SNEL
LVSportsBiz.com
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman had weekly calls with Vegas Golden Knights executives during the Knights’ inaugural season and team president Kerry Bubolz recalled Bettman paying him an important compliment.
Bettman told Bubolz, “You kept everyone focused on the priorities.”
Indeed, the Golden Knights forged their own culture on and off the ice with an unprecedented run to the Stanley Cup championship round on the ice during Year 1, while scoring big wins in ticket, sponsorship, media rights and merchandise sales off the ice.
These days, Golden Knights president Kerry Bubolz is a popular speaker on the local chamber of commerce circuit in metro Ls Vegas.
Bubolz uses these public sessions to tout the Golden Knights brand, rolling out hockey terms to explain the “VGK Culture” that can be applied to local businesses.
He’s come up with ten hockey/business phrases. In May, when the Golden Knights were making their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, LVSportsBiz.com did report on how the team covets “character” people on ice and off ice. Bubolz explained the ten lessons for the Henderson Chamber of Commerce this week.
Support Your Linemates: Be good teammates. Support each other at work.
Respond to Customers with the Same Intensity of Your Last Shift: Remember the members and sponsors are the lifeblood of our business, so never take them for granted.
Ignore the Goal Horn: Stay focused on the task at hand.
Win the 50/50 Battles: It may look like small plays, but give the extra efforts.
Everyone Can Be A Playoff Hero: Have confidence in your abilities.
The Goal Camera Is Always On: In professional sports, we play in a public space and be aware of what you say and do and be held to a higher standard.
Smile Even If You’ve Had All Your Teeth Knocked Out By A High Stick: We’re in the entertainment business, and we’re selling fun. It gets back to customer service. Smiling is contagious.
Get In On The Forecheck: Follow through on email, calls and contacts.
Don’t Take Bad Penalties: Be smart in meetings with customers.
Cycle The Puck: Work together and get everyone involved.
“Business is a team sport. That never gets old,” Bubolz said.
Meeting at the Golden Knights’ training center’s MacKenzie River pizzeria Monday evening, the chamber members did a few rounds rounds of the “Go Knights Go” chant before Bubolz explained that owner Bill Foley set the tone for the team’s culture.
Bubolz said Foley had attended a grand total of five NHL games in his life.
“Talk about a guy who has vision,” Bubolz said.
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