Hey, y’all! Brent Perry with Business on Purpose.

In the 5th round of the 2021 NFL draft, with the 149th overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals elected to draft a kicker out of the University of Florida named Evan McPherson. McPherson was the first, and ultimately the only kicker taken at that year's draft. The only 1. 

259 picks in total, and 1 kicker. 

Fast forward to February of 2022 and as you may be aware, the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted McPherson, are about to play for a Super Bowl. 

McPherson’s stats on the season: 

McPherson finished the season 28/33 on field goal attempts (84.8%), with 9 of 11 from at least 50 yards. 

In the Bengals playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he made 4 of 4 field goals, assisting the team to a 26-19 victory that gave them their first postseason win in 31 years. 

Subsequently, in a Divisional Round game, he again made 4 of 4 field goals, including two from over 50 yards. His 52-yard field goal as time expired gave the Bengals a 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans to send them to the first AFC Championship Game since 1988. 

McPherson also became the first kicker in NFL history to kick 4 field goals in multiple games during the same postseason.

 In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, McPherson made all four field-goal attempts, including a game winning 31-yard field goal in overtime in the 27-24 win, advancing the Bengals to the Super Bowl. 

My favorite story from the postseason, McPherson said to his teammates, “Looks like we’re going to the AFC Championship.“, before taking the game-winning 52-yard field goal against the Titans as time was expiring and he was taking the field.

So why do you draft a kicker? Because roles matter. And they matter in your business as well. 

We’re not all made to be the starting quarterback. Or the nose tackle. Or the long snapper. But a well-built team has all of those pieces in place.

And we want your business to be a well-built team. But that doesn’t just happen overnight. It will take some time and some work.

A few tips:

First, it is important to have a well-defined organization chart with detailed job roles. 

Your organizational chart should be able to be easily translated by your employees. Knowing the flow of communication and work responsibilities for their specific role. 

And speaking of roles, make sure that you have a detailed job description for your employees. One that they have access to, and is reviewed at regular intervals.

Second, weekly team meetings! 

This is your chance to bring your team together. All the different roles in the same room, together. It’s a time to build culture, strategize, train, and equip your team. We want team meetings to be a priority for your business.

And the third and final tip, have a good hiring process. 

Getting the right people in your door for the right role doesn’t just happen. But with the right hiring process and knowing your team, and what exactly you are looking for…

You might just draft your Evan McPherson. 

Thanks for listening. 

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