Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. Sevens boxholders operate on this principle. After 35 years of the Hong Kong Sevens, clearly business and rugby have much in common. Teamwork not only makes the teams on the field successful, it also helps these corporate names thrive. The spirit of teamwork is summed up in a proverb from Kenya, whose team have been at the Sevens since 2003 - 'Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable'. Robby Nimmo asked some business bigwigs about the teamwork parallels between rugby and the business world
Peter Spizzirri Head of Operations Holman Fenwick Willan
When I joined Holman Fenwick Willan four years ago, the firm already had a sporting tradition as our London office had been sponsoring a UK invitational Sevens side, 'The Wailers'. Since then, Holman's in Hong Kong has become involved in many sporting events, such as sailing, cricket and of course, rugby. We are proud to host our first corporate box and will be joining the time-honoured Hong Kong tradition of combining rugby and business in the name of good fun. Keep an eye out for us in the pink and blue shirts.
I came to Hong Kong 12 years ago as the final stop of a post university rugby and travel experience. Almost immediately the line between rugby and business became blurred, and I was introduced to rugby's corporate community. It became commonplace to be tackling someone on a Tuesday night, and meeting with them for an interview the next day. Eventually, networking turned to opportunities, and I entered corporate life through the rugby door.
Working in an operations role, means the scope of my role is wide, and the rugby network has proven itself a far-reaching resource. Whenever I need a contact in another industry, I can be sure there is someone whom I've shared the pitch with, ready to help.
Interviewing prospective staff with a rugby background tells me a lot about who they are. Experience working in a team environment goes without saying, but it's the ability to shrug off the stresses of work, as they would a crunching tackle, which is truly invaluable.