On Thursday evening,I was honored to judge the 2nd Annual Sports Analytics Competition at Temple University.The even lasted for approximately 2 and a half hours and had two divisions.There was an undergrate and graduate section.
Each group was given a subset of NFL data from 1980 - 2023.The information consisted of the winners and losers of each game,the total points scored and how the information translated to the outcomes against the spread.The contestants were given the task of scraping the data and looking for trends that would be appealing to an investment firm.
The groups cited,temperature,wind,home field advantage as important variables.They went further and examine the ATS by divisions and individual months during the season. Temple University is one of the few schools in the country that has several courses of studies that address Sports Gaming. While UNLV is the leader in offering gaming and sports related classes,Temple has carve out a niche that introduces the sports betting industry to this region.
If you are interested in sports gaming and how it relates to business, analytics,tourism and hospitality,please contact Yang Yang or George Diemer ,two professors at Temple University School of Hospiality and Tourism.
Follow me on TikTok,Instagram,Twitter and LinkedIn,
#Temple University #sports #Analytics #SportsBetting #Casinos #Gaming
After seeing the reports that Penn Entertainment had a round of layoff wirh members of their ESPNBet team,I decided to look at the mid year numbers for the top operators. Let's see where everyone is positioned as the NFL returns this fall. These are the market shares of the top operators. DraftKings :38%
FanDuel 36.5%
BetMGM:7%
Caesars:5.9%
ESPNBet 3.2%
Rush Street Interactive 3%
Comparing these numbers to the 1st quarter of 2024,DraftKings increased by 2.7%.FanDuel decreased by 1.3%.FanDuel'sDraft market share shifted slightly toward DraftKings and Rush Interactive.BetMGM decreased by.3%despite some impressive partnerships. Caesars decreased .6% and ESPNBet dropped 1.5%.
Let's look at the stock prices to see if investors are still confident over the last month of activity. DraftKings fell -6.07% but close today up 0,26%. FanDuel is down -0.6% over the last 30 days but closed today up 0.6%. Public confidence is unchanged.BetMGM was up 8.80% in the last month and closed yesterday up ,15%. The public opinion of the stock is unwavered. Caesars Entertainment was down 5% 30 days ago but closed yesterday up .82%/.Caesars was down $9 6 months ago and $2 a month ago. While the market share declined, the price is going up.Rush Interactive's stock price was in the low teens 6 months ago but has dropped to just under $10 yesterday. The shift in market share did not translate to increasing the stock value. Penn Entertainment and ESPNBet are not trending in the anticipated direction. A stock price that was high as $25 a year ago is now at $18.52 and down .27% yesterday.
The Outlook: Expect the two market leaders to jockey for the top position as the NFL and NCAA Football returns in September. BetMGM's partnership with Twitter and the expansion of their sports betting service in Washington, D.C.,will help recoup the .3% loss of the 2nd quarter, I see Rush as a possible acquisition based on a fvorable price. ESPNBet has the advantage of starting this football season off at the inception. By not launching until after week 7 in 2023,they acqiured multiple downloads but were not able to grow the market.A correction is imperative or this media and gaming merger will be short lived.
I encourage you to practice smart responsible gaming and do your homework as you look to invest in the stock market.
The number of shortages in the work force have many
industries scrambling to find workers. The Gaming industry is no exception. While
the demand for gaming entertainment grows, the personnel that provides the experience
is understaffed. The guest experience is the same but there will be noticeable lapses in
some service areas. Where the normal time to wait for a beverage would be
between 10-15 minutes, expect the period to double. If you. The availability of
games and units to play are still at an optimum level. If team members call off
or leave a company unexpectedly, this affects the day-to-day operation
profoundly. When this happens, the intelligent
organization goes into demand and profitability mode. What units the public
wants to play and which of them brings the most level of profitability to the
company are the primary concerns. Since this situation has not changed since
the pandemic of 2020, the next step is how to alleviate it.
While job fairs and increase in pay are two ways to attract
candidates, the competitors in your region are offering a comparable experience.
Offering a job referral incentive to current staff extends the reach of the
organization. Use social media to highlight job events and promotions. If the
organization is doing something that has philanthropic or community involved, share
this information on the website. The impression is that you are appealing to
work for.
When all things are equal between you and your competitors,
you must go the extra mile. Be creative in how you approach a prospective employee.
Be more proactive in retaining the staff you have. The cost of replacing
someone is greater than what it would take to keep them. A new employee has a
learning curve that an experience one is not subject to. Direct attention
toward individuals that have worked in the industry and pay more for that. In
Atlantic City recently, the casinos joined together and held a job fair where
all the hotels have representation.
Factor the location of your facility into your job promotions.
The cost of gas is important to an applicant and the cost of a commute is a
prevalent factor in accepting a position. If you are near public transportation,
highlight that to the applicant. Initiate rides share programs that make
commuting more appealing.
Lastly, utilize flexibility in the job hiring and retention
process. Example: Your organization has 3 shifts of 8 hours that start at designated
times. If you have enough interest in a particular start time that is not part of
the normal scheme, consider incorporating it.Let it correspond into what you currently
offer and make it work for you by implementing it during a period of peak
demand. Want more ways to attract people. Keep following me!
Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for tweets and post about Gaming, Entertainment, Sports Betting and Business Events.
These are my 3 Takeaways from the 2021 G2E. This was my 1st trip to Las Vegas in 2 years so I could have easily added more to my list. But these three are areas I envision that will gain traction over the next 18 months. Watch the video and read my commentary, Tell me what you think about where the gaming industry is going.
1). CashLess Transactions: Even before Covid 19 changed the way we interact with each other,cashless gaming transactions were available in Europe & the UK. Covid is expediting the transition to having those transactions here in the United States. As oppose to counting a large sum of money and transfering it from your facility to a finacial institution, a digital trnsaction would save time and money. Jonathan Micheals,SVP for Strategic Development of Sightline Payments is instrumental in the conversation about the advantages associated with going cashless.
2). Mobile Technology expansion to the casino floor: Remember the days when using your phone in the sports book or near a table game was totally prohibited. Well look for the advent of a mobile expierience that the casinos will welcome. Resorts World Las Vegas has a loyalty system that a player can utilize if they did not bring their player's card to the casino. If the player has his phone the play can be tracked and the player can recieve an accurate rating of his action. This saves money because the casino does not have to print up a new loyalty card everytime the guest forgets to bring it. It also allows the marketing team to know when you are playing and increases the opportunities for the casino to connect with the guest. A player could have match play downloaded to his phone while playing blackjack or an odd boost tailored to his favorite team after a score.
3).The Importance of Media: The sucessful operators are partnering with media companies to promote brand awareness. So the way to stand out is to have content that is engaging and spurs conversation. How is your message extending beyond your facility? Is it being communicated within your building? The use of social media is imperative to reach outside of your geographical radius. There is a substantial gain associated with a strategic digital marketing plan that operators & media collectively work toward. The propect of gaming and media has me at the perfect intersection.
Follow me on Twitter for more gaming and sports betting related content. During the NBA & NFL season,you can access my work with the hashtag #GTLivechat. Join me and my cohost @KeshisCuties during prime time telecasts when games are on ESPN,TNT,NBC, ABC & NFL Network.
These are
some of the takeaways of the SBC Digital North America, an online event that
was held June 9th and 10th. I Gaming and
Sports Betting are moving the needle in the Gaming and Casino Industry. While
there will always be a need for a land base casino hotel, there is a need for
the convenience factor that playing online gives to a player. The mobile apps
that replicate the brick-and-mortar facilities will resonate with the existing
customer. The use of
Social Media is a great opportunity to engage with your clientele and attract
new patrons. Using push notifications and tweets that give information are ways
that have the public interested in your promotions, if sent at the right time as
well as to the right customer. Innovation
will separate successful operators from the masses. I
participated in two panels at the SBC. The 1st was From the Gaming
Floor to Online Slots: Harnessing the Omnichannel Opportunity. I was able to
share my expertise in casino operations and how important the loyalty program
is. I suggested that the digital wallet program and the brick & mortar
should work together. This will keep the player with your organization longer
because you are working collaboratively to fulfill their needs. This type of
marketing will ultimately increase the lifetime value of the player to your
organization. The second
panel address the careers in gaming and sports betting. I was on this panel
with George Diemer, associate professor at Temple University. George and I
concurred about internships, regulation, and responsible gaming. The industry
could be doing more to increase our labor pool and alleviate employment
concerns. An increase in flexibility regarding shifts and hours should be a
consideration.
I plan to do my part to help in a recruitment endeavor. I will
be going to colleges and universities this fall to advocate what gaming has to
offer. I will also have at least one video per month that highlights a job that
a college student or job applicant with an aptitude for learning could fulfill.
I will not limit my scope to jobs just in one region because of the size and
growth of the gaming industry. If there are any casinos that are having recruitment
and retention challenges, reach out to me and I will highlight the position that
you are trying to fill.
Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment. Check out my articles in Bettors Insiderand in the January edition of Igaming player.
The wait is over. Casinos have been given the green light to increase the number of guests they can accommodate to pre Covid 19 levels. This is welcoming news for the gaming and entertainment industry.The gaming operators have been forced to be resilient over the past 14 months. Most have found challenges with employee retention and acqusition. While that was eased because of the reduction of gaming space,the effort to attract employees must now intensify. Casinos on each coast are offering job referral incentives to current workers and propective hires. One consideration could be to reach out to former employees to gauge their interest in returning in a flexible or part time capacity.
There will be several revenue streams that will recieve a spike in the next 3 months. The Food and Beverage departments along with hotel occupancy will approach the historical month to month numbers of 2019. Entertainment will also be a draw to customers looking to go out to shows and concerts. The professional teams are going to full capacity for indoor events so the casinos should be looking to follow suit. Looking at local talent would be a win - win as a gate attraction.
FYI for those looking for the two hottest concerts in Las Vegas. First is Usher at Caesars Palace. Here is a glimpse of what to expect from the IHeart Radio Awards 2021 and his residency .
Sports is the vertical that the casinos are betting on. Partnerships with professional teams will boost the use of mobile gaming and sports betting apps. The marketing opportunities are not just related to wagering on the pre match odds. Extended options involving futures and in game betting should be explored.
Atlantic City's revival will be peak during the summer season. Las Vegas will see an increase in their mid week business. The covenience markets like Philly,Washington and Baltimore will have to become creative because they will be competing with other comericial venues for the entertainment spend in those respective cities.
The leader in all of the aforementioned markets must find their niche and promote themselves effectively. Determine who your customer is and keep that person connected to you. I could expand and give concepts but it would behoove me to share those thoughts in a conversation. For now, you can follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter.
I will have some exciting news to provide to all you very shortly. Enjoy your summer.
The second performance is Bruno Mars who will be performing at the Park MGM in July.
Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment. Check out my articles in Bettors Insidersand in the January edition of Igaming player.
This is a unique opportunity for anyone that lives or works in
Philadelphia. If you are looking for a new career or one of the many Americans
that are open to getting a coronavirus vaccine but have not manage to do so, keep
reading.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia is opening the gateway to both
scenarios. It is no secret that Rivers is one of the best places in the region
to work. The commitment to the staff and patrons is to provide a safe work
environment. Hence, the coronavirus clinic.
So where do you fit in?
Rivers is hiring in several departments.
Bryan Meloy,the Food and Beverage Director, has been with
Rivers for 10 years. Bryan's career has several highlights that include opening
the Wild Wild West in Atlantic City and opening the Rivers Casino Sports Book. He
is looking for culinary employees. He would be a great mentor to a food and beverage
worker.
Sheri McQueen is a “Day One Leader” joining the Rivers Family
in 2010. Sheri was chosen from a group of stellar applicants to be the Table
Games Instructor for new dealer candidates. She has taught hundreds of dealers
that have went on to supervisory positions with Rivers. The classes are on
going and are available on the weekends. A dealer starting hourly rate is
approximately 20-23 dollars an hour including tips. This may be a come up for
somebody. I forgot to mention the classes are free.
Mike Mastrangelo is our H/R specialist that specializes in matching
you up with the position that matches your skill set. If your background involves
banking or cashiering, Mike can direct you to a casino cage position. If you have other interest,Mike will find a fit. Rivers
wants you to maximize your area of expertise.
So, on Wednesday, May 26 between 2PM and 6PM, Rivers
Philadelphia will have a recruiting area at our COVID vaccine clinics “Take a shot at a new Career”. A Shot, A Career or both. Click this link to see what positions are available.
If you are 12 years old or older (between 12 -17) and are accompanied
by a parent or guardian, you can be vaccinated. Free parking is available.
Here is the scheduling link
for the vaccine. I look forward to seeing you!
Many of us have recently recieved stimulus money from the federal government.This is also income tax season. There will be millions of Americans entitled to tax refunds. If you are in a position to speculate on the stock market, the stimulus money and /or the income tax return can jump start that initiative. Looking for reasons and an industry to invest in? Read more!
The economy is slowly returning to Pre Covid levels. Restaurants are expanding their capacity and hours of operations. Casinos are allowing food and beverages to be served in gaming areas. Alcohol has returned to the pit table games. The states are looking to expand revenue options thru gaming.
Sports Betting and online gaming are two popular concepts that have been adopted by as many as 22 states presently. This is the ideal time to look at investing opportunities in gaming and sports wagering companies.
I look for stocks based on affordability and profit magin. I research what the price is presently and look at the historical trends of the stock. If a stock is trading at $25 and a year earlier had a purchase price of $50, I see a potential growth. I will look at the business plans of that company and determine if they are a good buy. I also set a price that I would be content to sell the stock at. If I bought 100 shares at $25, I would be happy to have the stock reach $35 a share. Contrastly, I have a depreciation price where I would sell and cut my losses. If the stock goes under 20 and has never done that in a 3 year period, I will sell and look to start again with another stock.Looking for the hottest deals and best gaming stocks? continue reading after the video.
Draft Kings: The current price is $48. The median expected price in the next 12 months is $75. It has a high estimate of 105 and a low of 41. Draft Kings made a recent acquisition of VSIN Network. “VSiN creates authentic and credible content that resonates with sports bettors at every level, whether they’re experienced or new to sports betting,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board. CNN Money grade this stock as a buy.
Penn National Gaming: The current price is $86. The outlook for Penn National is good because they own Barstool Sports. Barstool is presently in 3 states and projecting to be in as many as 10 by the end of the year. The Street's Jim Cramer gave Penn a definite buy on 5/7/21. Jay Snowden,CEO of Penn National Gaming, expess optimism because of Barstool approach to player acquisition and the reopening of the economy.
Rush Street Interactive: RSI rang the opening bell on Wall Street on 1/5/21.The current price is $13. The recent moves by Rush Street are the signs of encouragement. Rush Street was nominated for the Operator of the Year by the EGR Awards for 2021. Then the announcement of Lauren Seiler as Associate Vice President of Investor Relations and Development. She brings expertise in i-gaming,sports wagering, land based operations and finance. BetRivers.com is thriving in Pennsylvania and is postioned in several new jurisdictions. Growth opportunity at the current price.
Several sports and gaming stocks have made major acquisitions. Caesars Entertainment acquired William Hill within the last two weeks.MGM Grand with it's sports betting app, Bet MGM ,have stated they are in the top 3 in the each of the markets where the platform is available. Fan Duel or Flutter Entertainment is a definite watch because of the name recognition of the brand. PointsBet has extended into a partnership with Penn National that will include 7 states.
There are several prominent companies that are not mentioned. You should take time to research the gaming ,sports betting and i gaming industries to find the best buy for your buck. There is a synergy between the three that offers value to the stock holder. I hold shares of several of the companies mentioned in this post.
Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment. Check out my articles in Bettors Insiderand in the January edition of Igaming player.
With Christmas just a little more than a week away ,the scramble is on to pick out the perfect gift for the gambler or gaming executive in your life. There is a commonality in those two people. Not only do they share the same environment such as a casino, racetrack or sports book but they are knowledgeable about the world of risk. They like the excitement and the fanfare of participating or watching games. So any of these gifts that I mention now are stocking stuffers.
The 1st is a scratch off or lottery ticket. The chance of a $1.00 ticket turning into a 6 or 7 figure payout is extremely low. But the recipient will feel like a million dollars until the drawing takes place or the result is revealed.
The 2nd is a smart watch from Apple. This serves no many functions other than telling time. It can track the gaming executive's steps per day and the gambler withdrawals from the ATM. Either of those individuals will call and thank you on that same watch. The cost is approximately 199.00.
The 3rd is a trip to Las Vegas in 2021. No gambler or gaming executive would want to go right now, but if you plan a trip for the beginning of the 3rd quarter, they would take you up on it. A vaccine should be readily available by then. If the tickets and accommodations are booked no, you could get a good rate especially if the trip is planned mid week. Usher begins his Caesars Palace residency on July 16 2021. Tickets start at 150.00.
Before I share the last two options here is my gift to you.
The 4th is buying a gift card from Draft Kings. This is an sports betting industry first. The recipient would love it if they live in a state that has sports betting. They could use the card to add funds to an already existing account. The account must be with Draft Kings. I am sure other operators will emulate this. The card will be available in $25 and $50 denominations in convenience stores like Sheetz, 7 Eleven, Dollar General and Speedway.
The 5th and final gift option is purchasing a stock from a publicly trading casino or gaming company. You may want to look at a sports betting company for the recipient. If you want to start the process you can open an E Trade account or confer with your broker if you already invest on Wall Street. Why not give a gift that gives your friend or family member more? There are several options that I see as definite buy situations. I will expand on that in a future article.
Follow me on Twitter for NBA and NFL conversation. You can see my videos and photos on Instagram. Reach out professional thru Linkedin. My website is smartresponsiblegaming.com I also write articles for Bettors Insider, where you will receive the most comprehensive gaming, casino and sports betting coverage from an outstanding staff of former writers for the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News.
Last week, I was able to have one of the best moments in my
life. I was asked to interview for a segment of the Conde Nast and GQ installment, "The Breakdown”. The episode was focusing on Pit Managers. I was pleasantly surprised when contacted. The
surprise did not stem from the being asked questions about gaming and casino
operations. I have always been a fan of GQ and patronized the magazine for
information and visual inspirations for what to wear.
My business attire comes from Boyds of Philadelphia. The store is one of the best men stores on the East Coast and has
been mentioned several times in GQ.
Some of the questions posed to me by the producers were about
my background and some of the places that I have worked. The questions about
the relationship between the dealers and the players is what I want to share
with you. The dealer is really hoping that the player does well so he will receive
a tip or gratuity. The players have the impression that the dealers are their adversaries.
The dealer makes most of his money from tips, so it is important to build a
synergy with the player.
The best and most popular games are Blackjack and Baccarat.The odds are player friendly and the
availability of a game is generally high. While Covid 19 has changed the amount
of people allowed to play at one time, the public demand has not diminished.The producers seemed pleased with my
responses. They laughed when I told them I subscribe to the magazine. That 35
minutes was my WOW moment. It was done on Zoom. I dressed up as if I were going
to work. They noticed!
I felt like I has received an Academy Award nomination.
Just
to be considered means all the social media posts, the articles and the blog
post are being noticed by people and organizations that I have the utmost
respect for. Keep watching and get ready for my next big move. Look for me at the G2E.
I decided to assess what I see for 3 gaming regions. The regions are Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Everything that I hypothesis is based on COVID 19 levels. The CDC has projected
a rise in cases this fall. The cold and flu season is approaching and will
impact the public willingness to convene in crowded venues.
I
will focus on the major cities in each of the regions. Las Vegas will still be
slow to move toward recovery. Airline flights are still under capacity with extremely
limited international passengers. All major convention business has been
scrapped for this year. There is talk of some concerts being scheduled in
show rooms. Usher is planning a residency performance in 2021 at Caesars
Palace. There are tremendous deals on room rates during the week that may tempt
you to fly out for a three day - two-night getaway.
Atlantic City is still one of the
top ten trip destinations in the United States according to Trip Adviser.
The casinos just received a boost with the return of dine in restaurant
service. Casino restaurants,like every other
restaurant, must observe the many restrictions put into place including 25%
percent capacity, tables spaced 6 feet apart, patrons required to wear masks
while not eating or drinking. This will entice visitors to come to the shore
during the months of September thru November. The price of gas is relatively
low and will motivate patrons to take a drive to America’s greatest playground.
I would strongly suggest having a reservation if you are dining. Atlantic City is allowing the resumption of smoking on the casino floor. This is not in the best interest of the employees and patrons at the casinos. It allows the shore to offer something that will bring in additional revenue. The risk does not appear to be worth it.
Philly has also extended the amenities to include food. This
is consistent with the casinos that are operating outside of Philadelphia
County. 24-hour gaming is going to return on September 18. The casinos have beefed up their efforts to
keep the facilities clean and have maintain temperature check policy that
protects the guests and the employees. An increase of deep cleaning and
disinfecting the front and back of house areas is already underway. When the
capacity levels are increased to accommodate more guests, the challenge the
casinos will face will be staffing. If the capacity level were increased to
40-50% by October 31, that would be a treat. Lastly, Poker should be revisited and
opened with a limitation on the amount of people allowed at a table. Other
modifications should include no smoking, changing cards frequently and online
reservations during peak times of play.
My view is this week's Monday Motivation of optimism. The gaming
industry will return to profitable levels in convenience and urban markets
quicker than the resort areas. All operators must find ways to create the
environment that places safety first while providing an exceptional
entertainment experience. The opinions expressed are my own. The creativity I shared is to inform you of what can be accomplished during difficult circumstances.
I want to share some exciting news about my plan to expand my engagement on Twitter. At the start of the NBA shutdown due to COVID 19, I started a doing a twitter chat 3 nights a week. The conversations included sports, sports business and sports betting. It was expanded to include music from contemporary artists and delve into their music catalogues. The audience grew exponentially over the 4 months and expanded to cover both the east and west coast. The chat achieved approximately 30,000 impressions during the ESPYS on June 21st.
Since sports have returned the format has changed. The conversation or threads can't last as long in the evening because the games are rightfully taking center stage. A mid day version of the chat was added to engage the audience longer. This addition captured positive results. With the NFL coming in two weeks, it makes sense to expand the coverage, Start on September 1st, the chat will be on 4 nights. Those nights will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. A mid day version will happen on each of the aforementioned days of the week with Wednesday included at noon.
The night chats will start at 7:30 prior to an NFL game. The conversation before any other game(NBA,MLB,NHL,WNBA or Tennis) will start 30 minutes before the contest. There will still be polls that will gauge your opinions, questions that pertain to your sports betting selections and data that will help you make an informed decisions. We also highlight our followers by sharing their tweets and applaud their creativity when they include a GIF. On Thursday, there is a women in media segment that spotlights the achievements of female athletes, reporters and business executives. On Fridays, we will still do Shout Outs and #FF. If you follow we follow back.
Nkeshi Free
The chat are cohosted by Nkeshi Free. She adds the creative side to the collaboration and is knowledgeable in all sports. Her twitter handle is @KeshisCuties. My twitter handle is @GamingguyM.
Tuesday is the #GTLHottopics day. All other days we use the #GTLivechat.
You can get updated information at smartresponsiblegaming.com
Here is a glimpse of what the responsibilities are now during a pandemic. This is a dramatic change from March 12th. The parameters are in place to insure a safe gaming environment.
The protocols for wearing a mask, sanitizing your hands and temperature checks before entering the
venue are adhered to. There is an occasional reminder to be given regarding the mask covering the
nose but the guests and employees are compliant when ask to do so.
The challenges that present themselves are in the areas of social distancing. The players that come
with a group or companion still stay together in close alignment while near the games or slot machines. While they are doing what seems natural, they are not exercising social distancing. This requires that
the management team must politely request that some degree of separation must be maintain, especially around the table games. This provides a level of comfort for the staff that is dealing to the patrons.
The limitation on occupancy makes scheduling games and deploying staff a creative process. You are now going with the demand for play as oppose to offering a full compliment of all the games. If three people are requesting a baccarat game and one person is requesting Three Card Poker, I can tell you without hesitation the game I am opening first. Certain slot machines are not operable to make social distancing a mandate.
There is more area to cover during the work day because the gaming floor is more spread out. Pre Covid configurations were based on games being adjacent to each other. Plexiglass shields and visors are available at each game. This is for the safety of the employees and guests.
How should you manage a casino floor during a pandemic? You should follow all of the things I mentioned above. In addition, look to be innovative in how you connect with your guest. Use social media to let them know that you appreciate their business and that you want them to know that. Maintain a staffing level that allows for flexibility and gives you the ability to react to the unforeseen.
This is the second part of my PIVOT post on Smart Responsible Gaming. The use of the term pivot in basketball is to help a player avoid a defender and find an opening on the court to take a shot, make a pass or drive to the basket. It opens up the court to you. You are that player and the world is your court.
The next letter in the acronym is O.
O is for optimistic about what you are trying to do. Don't expect the road to be easy. But never
become downtrodden or thinking you should give up. If not today then tomorrow. If not this week
then the next.
T is for tenacity in your pursuits. You refuse to be easily dispelled. Denzel Washington gave a motivational speech and stated "Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship." "Without commitment you will never start and without consistently you will never finish." He ended by saying, "see you at work."
I want to announce the unveiling of our website, Smart Responsible Gaming.com. From the end of March, I have had time to think about what would be useful to people during a pandemic and serve an audience that actively consumes gaming and sports.
I wanted to include some of the popular aspects that sports aficionados could appreciate. They include Esports, Sports Betting and Casinos. There are sections that give nutritional and fitness information.Videos are included.
There is a Twitter section that highlights GTLHottopics. This is a segment that covers the trending topics in the sports betting and sports business world. You can see all of the tweets that come from Smart Responsible Gaming. The social media links to Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn are prominently featured as well.
There is a blog series that is devoted to helping anyone navigate a return to work after Covid-19.If you are looking for specialist advice on a subject related to sports and gaming, you can use the email, info@smartresponsiblegaming.com. This is in the event that your question is not covered by the information on the website.
I am proud of what we were able to accomplish during this pandemic. It has heighten my creativity. I hope you like it and check back periodically for updates. The next step on the journey is...
If you read last
week's post, you are ready now to navigate back into the workforce. If you need
to catch up with us read here. In order to
prepare effectively you must think about what you bring to the table. Oprah
Winfrey is quoted as saying "When you bring excellence to a room. they
will find you a seat." I will share two points we can add that will make
us appealing to a new opportunity or invaluable to the employer that furlough
you.
If you are looking for a
new job situation, be prepared to practice "The Power of Nunchi”. This is
a book written by Euny Hong. The word "nunchi translates into eye measure
and listening skills. This can be incorporated into a job interview. It enables
you to make assessments about a business or social situation quickly. Your
chances of success increase when you can read a room, make connections, and
come across as well informed.
The listening aspect of
Nunchi is utilize by hearing what the interviewer wants from you and being able
to convey that you can deliver. Be prepared to offer a solution in case you are
ask a hypothetical question. Do some research that goes beyond the job posting
that got you in the room.
If you are navigating a
return to a place or industry of prior employment, bring flexibility back with
you. The thought of "I 've been doing this for 5,10 years or longer and I
know what I am doing" may have been acceptable in March. Now factor in social distancing,
wearing a mask and the other possibilities that await you. Are you ready? A
limited capacity is projected initially in hotels, casinos, and entertainment
venues. The measure of flexibility may extend to you. Ask yourself how flexible
you can be if you could return next week. That would give you time to mentally
prepare. An NFL coach can motivate an entire 53-man roster to get ready for a
game in 6 days. We only have to motivate ourselves.
In last week's Monday Motivation, we covered a blueprint
for a to return to work with safety, health, and social distancing
policies in place. If you missed it here is the link. The next step for most of
us will be how we go from being at home all day to working again. This is not a given or an
automatic situation. Most operations are opening at less than 60% of pre COVID levels.
This poses the thought that we may need a plan "B". This is if we
were employed by an operator that is conservatively reopening.
The
plan "B" must start with an evaluation of your skill set and the
value you bring to your team. If your self-evaluation does not grade out high,
then you must take steps to improve it. You may have to apply at other
companies that are in your field or have a demand for your talent. This is the
1st step of Plan B.
Since
we are entering the "New Normal", we must become comfortable with the
business aspects of virtual interaction. No one will be likely to interview you in
person. So, you must be prepared to log into a link or a Zoom panel that will
ask questions of you. This may be foreign to most of us, but we have the luxury
of time to master it.
Have
the person that you are in quarantine with do a role play with you. You should
dress as if you were going to meet an employer in an office setting. Then download the Zoom App. Once you are satisfied with your responses in the role play, have
another person contact you on Zoom and conduct a 10-minute interview. The person
you are quarantine with can critique it. Make sure you have a well-lit
background and optimum camera angle. In order to make it fun as well as productive, everyone
can switch roles.
Then
you look at who is hiring and what their needs are. If your resume can convey
that you are an asset, then send it to their H/R department. Follow up on your
letter or email within 7 business days. If there is a mutual interest you can
suggest the virtual interaction. Your innovation will make you stand out from
your peers. Nothing over the top but allow your personality to come out during
the exchange. Warmth always works!
So far, my Monday Motivation posts have been designed to help us stay the course thru COVID-19. Each one,for the past four weeks, has given concepts and suggestions as to what to we should do in the meantime. Now multiple states are planning some form of re-opening. The last phase in each anticipated re-opening are hotels,casinos and entertainment venues. Since that is the majority of my colleagues and followers, this Blueprint was crafted for the gaming. tourism and hotel industries.
We are fortunate that a large percentage of the aforementioned industries have employees that reside in states that are taking the "let the data determine the date" approach. They include Pennsylvania, New Jersey. New York, Nevada and Michigan. If the numbers of people infected does not get to a level determined by the state as a green stage then there is no choice but to wait until the pandemic subsides.
So when we return to work, the Blueprint requires that the operators and owners of each organization have placed the ultimate value on the safety and well being of the employees that will be returning to the workplace. They will be the most valuable asset the companies have in helping the business return to pre COVID levels. There should be a meeting that informs everyone via phone, email or zoom as to what the strategic plan will be.
That plan must consist of testing of the staff so everyone can feel save interacting with each other. Step two will require a social distancing policy that must be adhered to without exception. It will include the requirement of wearing a mask to protect the staff and the guests from each other. Step 3 will mandate a dedication to having the cleanest work area conceivable. This will gain public confidence that all measures are being taken to insure safety. Step four has a compulsory level of contact tracing. If there is a reported case of a guest or employee being diagnose with Coronavirus, you can have a general idea as to who that person can in contact with. This will be a proactive method to keep the virus from spreading.
In order for the Blueprint to work, there will be changes to the Standard Operations Procedures (SOP). A level of flexibility must be inherent because of a natural tendency to do things the way we have previously. Unfortunately, we won't have the ability to do that initially. Every one must buy in! If we are practical and patient, we will be thriving and fiscally successful. Each organization will have to develop partnerships to move the business incrementally. I can go into more detail but that should be part of a formal conversation. I have some time now, as most of us do, to welcome such an exchange.
This is the moment where we see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you have missed some of my earlier posts on Monday Motivation, I have included two that will bring you to the level we are now.
