Methods for managing March Madness

During the NCAA tournaments, here’s how to build camaraderie without sacrificing too much productivity

It’s time for the opening tip. And we have some tips for you, too.

With the first round of games starting March 19, you’ll want a strategy to deal with office brackets, pools, and tortured employees who still mourn Indiana University’s basketball program. (OK, maybe that’s just some of us.)

Even though you’re managing from sidelines, you need a game plan to manage sports in your workplace.

Soon, the media will start reporting how much productivity, time, and money will be lost during this highly charged period. Some employees might be streaming live video from their computers, sneaking off to a sports bar during lunch to catch a game, or indulging in some light-hearted smack-talk during a morning meeting.

Sound familiar?

It’s a great way for your associates to blow off a steam and put their emotional energies into something that’s not as pressing as keeping up with the mortgage and doing doubly duty in a dwindling workforce.

Get in the game

Instead of fighting March Madness and blowing the whistle like an over-caffeinated referee, try this: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.