CareerPlug Update: Recruiting Lessons from a Retired NFL Player

Did you know? Marques Colston, a retired NFL player for the New Orleans Saints, is now involved in franchising. Check out my key takeaways from International Franchise Association’s Franchise Action Network. 

In last month’s newsletter, I talked about “ghost accounts” and mentioned that CareerPlug is free – so why wouldn’t everyone sign up for it?

Some franchisees who read this article informed me it isn’t free. What I should have said was the BASIC version is free. The PRO version in $495 per year.

What follows are the differences:

CareerPlugOctober

I find the differences of the “BASIC” vs. the “PRO” vast – just as I find the difference between “ghost accounts” and “BASIC” vast.

In looking at every Neighborly brand, I’ve found that one technician, at minimum, is responsible for $100,000 in sales. With that premise, as a franchisee I would gladly spend $500 to make sure I am getting the best applicants possible. Because of this, I have to aggressively go after the best possible applicant – not wait for that person to come to me.

A few weeks ago, I attended the International Franchise Association’s Franchise Action Network in Washington D.C. During that event, 400 of us visited Capitol Hill to lobby for our legislators to support the people who bring jobs to America – franchisees!

One of the speakers we had at the event was Marques Colston, a retired NFL player for the New Orleans Saints. I wanted to share much of what I learned because I think it contains several lessons for us when it comes to recruiting and retaining people.

Colston is now involved in franchising, having become a partner with emerging franchisor Main Squeeze Juice Co. Citing how franchising requires successful franchisees, Colston noted the business model is particularly impactful for those who wish to give back, and that he chose to invest in a franchise because he saw it as a means of economic empowerment and a community-wide benefit. 

Colston was soft spoken when he joined the Saints. Drew Brees said Colston was the best teammate he has EVER had in his life. Subsequently, Colston became known as “The Quiet Storm.”

Colston’s History

  • Colston's father, who guided him in football since he was four years old, died when he was a freshman in high school
  • Colston was a 170-pound kid (6’ 4”) when he enrolled at Hofstra University
  • In 2006, he declared for the NFL draft. Experts said he could go as a tight end because of his size and ability - but might go undrafted
  • In the seventh round and last round in the NFL draft, he was chosen #252; four spots from the end of the draft
  • The Saints traded Donte Stallworth during preseason and Marques was thrust into a starting role as a rookie. In his rookie year, the Saints were one game away from the Super Bowl and lost their playoff game to go.

Here's how Colston described how to be a great teammate:

  • You must buy into the culture and the vision.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Put your priorities in order.
    • Do them first understanding you might not get to everything else on your list.
  • Figure out how to efficiently outwork your competition.
  • Successful athletes, like entrepreneurs, must be willing to learn.
  • Add something new to your repertoire every year.
    • Example: By his tenth year, Colston hired and flew a deep tissue message therapist to every game to make sure he was ready for each game and each next series.

Colston had a chance to become a free agent and get a huge payday. He turned it down to re-sign with the Saints. When asked why he made that decision, he explained his three main reasons:

  • Team – He believed in his team.
  • Culture – The New Orleans Saint’s culture was one he loved.
  • Drew Brees, future Hall of Fame quarterback – Colston knew his skills would be developed more by continuing to work with Brees.

Business and Franchising

Colston saw many similarities between business and sports. In fact, there are so many lessons we can all learn from for our teams. A few include:

  • Build a culture. Everyone must know their role on the team and visualize the opportunities of winning.
  • The importance of Diversity. It comes in all ages, races, sizes, perspective and how people think. It is important to have a mix on every team.

Colston’s Successes in the NFL

  • All team New Orleans Saints leader in:
    • Most career receptions (711)
    • Most career receiving yards (9,759)
    • Highest receiving average, career (13.7)
    • Most career receiving touchdowns (72)
    • Most seasons with 1,000 receiving yards (6)
    • Most games with 100 or more yards receiving (28)
    • Most games played by a wide receiver (146)

Lessons Learned about Recruiting and Retaining

251 people were drafted before him. You never know who is going to be your best employee. How Colston described being a great teammate is so true when it comes to building a great team:

  • Create the culture and the vision
  • Don’t be afraid to ask your fellow franchisees for help
  • Put your priorities in order when it comes to hiring and retaining.
    • Do them first understanding you might not get to everything else on your list.
  • Successful franchisees, like successful entrepreneurs or successful athletes, must be willing to learn.

Retention

  • Marques knew that by playing with Drew Brees, his skills would continue to get better.
    • Do your employees feel that same way about you?

Similarities Between Business and Sports

There are many lessons we can all learn from Colston’s experiences, including:

  • Build a culture. Everyone must know their role on the team and visualize the opportunities of winning.
  • The importance of diversity. It comes in all ages, races, sizes, perspective and how people think. It was important to have a mix of it on each team. I’ve found over the years that the people I enjoy working with the most often aren’t as driven to succeed as employees who may be difficult. Don’t just hire people like yourself.
  • Mentors and coaches. We need a variety of them. Think about Colston as a receiver. He had a receiver coach, offensive coach and a head coach. As franchisees, we sometimes think one mentor is all we need.

Have a great hiring and recruiting month!

 Mark Liston Signature


Mark Liston, Director of Special Projects for Neighborly

Mark Liston, Director of Special Projects for Neighborly

Mark serves as the Director of Special Projects for Neighborly

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