Brett Luy |
Rhode Island FC president
As we build the RIFC organization, we are facing many of the same challenges that more-traditional startups face. We’re building a team from the ground up. We’re establishing a brand, and we’re identifying our target market.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve hired top talent with decades of experience in the soccer business.
I believe the cliché that culture eats strategy for breakfast. As we build our club, culture is at the center of everything. We’re hiring good people with real experiences and following a strategy that puts fans and supporters at the center of every decision we make.
No matter the field, business leaders must take the time to identify their version of a fanbase and build an authentic culture to bring them into the company’s growth and evolution.
For us, this has meant active listening and engagement, especially as we build roots with a local community.
Our growth strategy is dependent upon authentic community connections, which is why our early marketing has focused almost exclusively on grassroots outreach.
Startups and other innovative businesses can learn a great deal by looking at the business models soccer clubs have embraced in North America and across the globe.
By building company cultures that are authentically reflective of the communities and markets you serve, you have an opportunity to create a bond with your customers that lasts for years.
