Being born in a nation mad about cricket, it’s very obvious that all other sports take a backseat. Even the national game hockey did not evoke much passion. Fast forward to 2002 FIFA World Cup, the very first time I started watching live football matches. What started as a mild curiosity and an added incentive to be able to boast in front of friends quickly transpired into a passion. There were so many greats playing in the tournament. Watching Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Beckham, Owen, Inzhagi, Zidane, Figo, Ballack, Klose or even Casillas, Kahn and Buffon was an absolute treat. The team that stood out and appealed most was the German team or as they are more popularly known the ‘Die Mannschaft’

Frankly, the German team was never popular for their skills or technique, but rather their never die attitude, their superb fighting spirit and their ability to maintain the same tempo right from the start of a match till its end was what made me their fan. Sadly, they lost in the final to Brazil not much due to any fault on their part but due to the technical brilliance and skill of Brazil’s Ronaldo.

Then started a transition period wherein many established successful ageing players retired and new blood was infused. They lost to Italy in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup. Another four years later, Spain defeated them 1-0.

But then came the FIFA World Cup 2014. Since the tournament started, the German juggernaut is looking near invincible. They completely destroyed Portugal and then made a quick affair of the other teams in their group. It also decimated France and Algeria. And then came the momentous match against Brazil. In Brazil’s defense, they were without their star strike Neymar and their talismanic captain and defender Thiago Silva. But even though, Germany crushed Brazil with a score line of 7-0 to reach the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

From a managerial point of view, there are many things that a startup or an enterprise can learn from the way ‘Die Mannschaft’ played not only yesterday but right through the tournament.

1) Determined Approach.

The German Team never quits. They keep on fighting till the end and they never give up. This single minded, determined approach is what any startup needs. Any industry will go through lots of ups and downs. This makes it extremely important for any startup keep on hanging even when all seems lost.

2) Learning From Your Competitors

Joachim Low, the German team’s manager is a quick learner and a shrew strategist. He embraced the French specialty of healthy multi-ethnic integration. Not only that, he also copied the successful Spanish technique known as ‘Tiki-Taka’ and gave it a German flavor which is no doubt paying rich dividends so far. Startups should also keep a close eye on their competition. They should be keen learner and quick adapter of anything that their competition is getting benefitted by.

3) Flexible in Nature

Joachim Low also showed flexibility that led to his team’s success. He changed the team’s formations as well as strategies innumerous times before deciding the final tactics. Also, there should be enough flexibility to fall back on an alternate plan if the original plan does not work. Ability to change the business strategies and tactics at any moment is a must for any startup in order to survive and grow. Don't stick to your original plan, if it does not work, you better be quick enough and alter your moves.

4) Never Lose Sight Of The Goal.

It is a well known fact among all football aficionados and German Football fans that there is a picture of the Maracana stadium of Rio De Janiero in the German Football Federation’s building. It would be important to note that the Maracana stadium is the venue where the FIFA World Cup 2014 Finals would be played this Sunday. This is how focused they were on their goal. Startups should also never lose sight of their goals. There is no place and time for distractions if you want to be a winner.

5) Seize Every Possible Opportunity

In the match against Brazil, the German team never stopped trying for more goals. Even after scoring 7 goals against their opponent which almost guaranteed their victory, they never stopped trying for more. They did not give up. They did not relent. They punched above their weights and kept going on. Startups should also be relentless. No matter whom they are against, no matter how high the odds are. They

should be fearless and ready to seize every possible opportunity that comes their way. They should also be able to find opportunities where there are none.

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