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There is a hint of seasons’ change blowing in the wind. No, it’s not Fall yet, but it is football season.
Nonetheless, this isn’t about the Walton-Penner Group, the new owners of the Denver Broncos, or their new quarterback, Russell Wilson. It’s about the spirit of competition that’s in the air.
They say a friendly matchup never hurt anyone. No pain, no gain. Whether on or off the field, inside or outside the boardroom, the strategies are strikingly similar. Develop a game plan. Practice. Execute. Review, repeat (or modify). Competition can bring out the best in us, and afterward it often leads to internal evaluation and honest reflection.
We see that in this year’s Top Company Awards competition, now in its 35th year, sponsored this year by MB Law. The outpouring of applications is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Colorado businesses, and it’s clear that the competitive spirit is alive and well. ColoradoBiz staff and hundreds of guests gathered on Sept. 14 to celebrate the best of the best in 14 industry categories. Winners and finalists are profiled in our Top Company section that begins on page 52 of our Fall issue.
For many, it’s a moment of clarity that their well-executed game plans led to success. It’s also a time to reflect and be grateful.
And since football is also top of mind right now, the positive benefits of competition among our high school students, and the next wave of entrepreneurs and CEOs, is also in the air. There’s something about youth competition we don’t seem to talk about often enough. On or off the field, it breeds innovation and a commitment to excellence.
On Aug. 26, two rival high school football programs – Regis Jesuit (ranked No. 3) and Valor Christian (ranked No. 2) – squared off under Friday night lights for a season opener that everyone will be talking about for the rest of the season. While you can find the details of Regis Jesuit’s overtime victory on MaxPreps Sports, what inspired me was the level of respect the teams granted one another. Moments after the tears of both joy and defeat, together, they knelt at the 50-yard line in prayer. Even for them, the months of preparation and training, statistic tracking and execution culminated with sobering reflection.
Yes, fall means sports. It also means a time of evaluating success and failures, and strategic planning for the future. Colorado has never been more competitive, and we wish all businesses, Top Company (or not) the greatest success as they lay the groundwork for their future successes.
Jon Haubert is the publisher of ColoradoBiz magazine. Email him at [email protected].