Offense and defense are often used in businesses like that of war or in sports. Where those who belong in the offense team are trying to make a score, goal, or advantage whilst those that belong in the defense team prevent the other team from scoring and do their best to be in the offense team. Both teams have one thing in mind, that is to be the victor. Below is Josh Melick’s plan on how to play on the offense team most of the time.
In business, it’s very vague to say that you are on the offense or the defense side. Businesses don’t have a fixed guideline when one is taking its turn as either defense or offense. Experiments and tests are important. Josh Melick says that as founders, they should be able to determine what department will play the offense and or defense line. They should question themselves as “Is this the right area for offense? Or defense?”. Looking at the bigger picture, Melick believes that they should find themselves playing more as an offense team.
One department that is considered to belong in the offense team is Sales and Marketing, as they sell the company and its products. However, they have this steady discussion with customers against their competitors. This might sound like a defense rather than an offense. Melick says that if they are to use their key advantages by targeting to sell materials, then that would be an offense. To use a storyline that can move the fight to their track.
The Legal Department may be considered as on the defense team as it instinctively defends the company through lawsuits and such. As a leader of a company, you should know when to attack and use your lawyers and lawsuit not just for defense but as a tool for something like a patent troll. Barack Obama through his book, “A Promised Land” said that he wasn’t sure if he “played dirty” when he challenged the nominations of his competitors in his first Illinois Senate campaign because of not enough signatures and it worked to his advantage.
As Melick sites, some might think that HR may seem like a defense team as it deals with protecting the company and its employees. Making sure that everything is smooth sailing. However, HR can be considered as a big player on the offense side too, not just defense. Employees for example are your team as Melick states. They are the greatest backer a company has. If the employees’ welfare is taken care of then it’ll reflect on the customers as well. Benefits programs of the company should be considered an offense because the best benefits usually come from the best companies. Recruiting the best players is definitely an offensive tactic.
On the off chance that they’re not effectively fabricating offense, then they’re more likely a defensive player. Try not to be one. HR, Legal team, and Sales and Marketing team can all be on the offense side. Even Customer support. You may create programs that will help you achieve and win your goals Melick says.
Josh Melick, co-founded and is the CEO of a venture-backed technology company Broadly, a company that helps small businesses on how to build their tools for effective communication with their clients and has already raised more than $20M. An engineer by profession, Melick was in the executive leadership department of Intuit and AT&T.
