(ATR) A panel of business experts and athletes have gathered at the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY, to discuss the critical role that purpose plays in driving success.
Steve Howe, the U.S. Chairman and Managing Partner and Americas Managing Partner of EY, led the dynamic discussion attended by Olympians and local and international business leaders.
"We see a tremendous alignment between the competitiveness and purpose of sport," Howe said. What success means for sport is the same for business, it is its purpose by definition. Bringing that together is spot on."
Howe’s first guest was Brazilian triple Olympian in swimming, Fabiola Molina, who is testament to the success of transitioning from athlete to entrepreneur.
Throughout her career Molina was aware that elite swimming had an expiration date and knew she needed to plan for the future. In 2004, Molina set up her own swimwear brand, driven by her dissatisfaction with the suits on offer to her as an athlete. By the time she retired in 2013, her business was well established and her transition from athlete to successful business entrepreneur was well underway.
"My purpose as an athlete was to always do my best," Molina said. "It is the same for my business, our purpose is to do the best suits we can – with color, material, everything."
While not having a degree in management or fashion, Molina credits her success to the passion behind her purpose, for both swimming and business.
Howe then conducted a panel discussion about the value of having athletes in business with Phil Duncan, Global Design Officer for P&G; Christopher Katsuleres, Director, Olympic & Sport Marketing for GE and Joel Bouzou, President of the World Olympians Association.
"At P&G we work hard to create positive messaging," Duncan said of the Olympic sponsor who has created the hugely successful ‘Thank you mom’ and ‘Throw like a girl’ campaigns.
"Olympians and athletes are a lovely way of connecting to our purpose."
A long-serving Olympic sponsor, GE creates a legacy through infrastructure development with Katsuleres describing their relationship as a tangible contribution story.
"The Olympic Games has the ability to touch all 300,000 GE staff," Katsuleres said, also noting that the company has 17 Olympians in its ranks.
Representing all Olympians, Bouzou is a powerful advocate for transitioning athletes into business, and spoke about the purpose that drives them to succeed on the field of play will also see them succeed off it.
"Athletes are dreamers," Bouzou said. "They dream about success. But they are also pragmatists and they know to get success through hard work."
EY is just one of many global companies embracing the off-field talent of athletes, something Howe hopes will only continue to grow into the future.
"I think we are going to continue to see an elevation of purpose, with more companies leveraging sport in that way," Howe said.
"The connection is going to be great for business because we are seeing athletes inspired by being able to take purpose into the business world. They can succeed and compete in a different venue – it is exciting."
Written by Alice Wheelerin Rio de Janeiro
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