What sports can teach businesses about data-driven success

In one of our recent Automation Caffeine episodes, we spoke with Joram Mossink, a data specialist with a unique dual expertise—sports and analytics. As an athlete and coach, Joram brings a fresh perspective to data-driven problem-solving, drawing parallels between the world of sports and the challenges businesses face today.

Let’s explore how lessons from the playing field can inspire actionable strategies for businesses.

‍

The athlete’s mindset: turning challenges into data opportunities

For Joram, sports and data go hand in hand. Whether analyzing team performance or identifying personal improvement areas, his experience in baseball and ultimate frisbee highlights the power of breaking down complex tasks into measurable events.

‍

‍

Take turnovers in ultimate, for example (i.e. when a pass is incomplete – the disc is dropped, intercepted etc.). Joram tracked these events to evaluate team performance and individual contributions. By using tools like speed gates to assess players’ sprinting times, he identified optimal roles for each team member.

Key insight: success begins by identifying the events and metrics that influence performance. This applies not only to sports but also to business, where clarity on critical metrics is the foundation for improvement.

‍

The power of measurable events

In sports, the smallest details—passes completed, possession time, or turnovers—can reveal patterns that drive strategy. Similarly, in business, it’s important to track and analyze small, actionable data points.

‍

‍

Imagine viewing inefficiencies or bottlenecks in your workflows as "turnovers." For example, a process delay in customer service could be tracked  in an aggregated way and lead to erroneous conclusions or data that does not provide much information. However, if we measure each one of the small interactions that occur in this process (average first response time, number of times the customer has to be contacted again because of missing information or poor follow-up, etc.) we can isolate recurring problems and determine their causes.

Key insight: What might seem like secondary metrics, when consistently tracked and analyzed, can unlock opportunities for optimization.

‍

Data in action

The real value of data lies in transforming insights into action. Joram’s experience as a coach underscores this principle. By analyzing players’ performance metrics, he assigned roles based on strengths, leading to better team performance.

In a business context, this translates to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of team members or workflows and adapting strategies to maximize efficiency. For example, a sales team might reallocate resources based on lead conversion rates, or an operations team could adjust schedules to align with peak productivity times.

Iteration is also critical. Whether on the field or in the office, the formula remains: measure, analyze, adjust, repeat. This approach fosters continuous improvement, helping teams adapt to challenges over time.

Key insight: Patterns in data inform strategies that drive performance improvements.

Lessons for businesses

So how can businesses adopt a sports-inspired approach to data? Here’s a practical roadmap:

1. Define key metrics. Focus on metrics aligned with your business goals. These could range from response times to customer satisfaction scores or production efficiency rates.

2. Collect and analyze data. Establish a consistent process for tracking metrics. Automated tools and dashboards can simplify this process.

3. Iterate based on insights. Use data to refine strategies, address inefficiencies, and make adjustments. Ensure this is a continuous cycle, not a one-time effort.

4. Foster a culture of improvement. Encourage teams to embrace data as a tool for growth, much like athletes use stats to refine their performance.

Food for thought

What if your business operated with the precision of a championship team? By adopting the mindset of an athlete, businesses can transform data into a powerful ally. From identifying opportunities to iterating on strategies, the lessons learned from sports offer a dynamic framework for success.