So now England lose the vote for the World Cup in 2018 and don't forget nobody ever votes for England (sorry the United Kingdom) when it is Eurovision. No this is not just another blog from a bleating Scotland supporter because I would have liked the UK to have been chosen as hosts - the whole economy would have been boosted and the morale of the country would have been raised rather than seeing the sad faces all over our TV screens.
For me one of the most valuable lessons from the project was that even with apparently an unbeatable bid team - Prince William, David Cameron, David Beckham et al - there was an unsuccessful outcome. Of course, you can question the voting system and the integrity of FIFA members but the real issue for me was that despite the presence of highly talented individuals there was not enough there to get the anticipated outcome.
Today in the press, there are all sorts of suggestions that this Calvary came to the party far too late and their influencing was never going to be successful. Russia and the others had been planning and working on the FIFA members over a much longer period.
Yes team work is important but people need to know the purpose and the strategy so that the effort can be sustained and be be successful. And for the people that are listening to you, your staff and your customers, they want to see and hear that you are committed to what you are saying.
More importantly, because my better half hails from Russia, I am delighted for that country anyway. Maybe she can get me tickets!!! Do you want me to ask for you?
(c) Iain Williamson 3.12.10
