Ecopro Shares '5 Management Lessons Learned from Baseball' with Employees

Kia's Winning Force Introduced Through Internal PR Channel
Presented with 5 Keywords Including 'Harmony of New and Old'

Cover photo of content posted on Ecopro's internal promotion channel Ecotoktok. Photo by Ecopro

EcoPro shared the secret behind Kia's victory in the '2024 Professional Baseball' season, which surpassed 10 million spectators, with its employees through an internal promotional channel. Despite experts not considering Kia a top contender due to frequent injuries among pitchers early in the season, the team, led by manager Lee Beom-ho and backed by solid teamwork, won both the regular season and the Korean Series.

According to EcoPro on the 3rd, the internal promotional channel 'EcoTokTok' introduced five key factors behind Kia's victory to employees on the 30th of last month through content titled "The ABCs of Management Are Found in Professional Baseball in the Era of 10 Million Spectators." These factors were ▲Harmony of the Old and New ▲Sacrificial Spirit of the Catcher ▲Importance of Data ▲Opportunity After Crisis ▲Communication Skills of the Leader.

EcoTokTok cited the first factor as the 'Harmony of the Old and New.' It analyzed that the synergy created by the experience of veteran players and the challenging spirit of rookies was one of the secrets to victory. When Kia faced difficulties early in the season due to injuries to starting pitchers like Lee Eui-ri and Yoon Young-chul, 36-year-old veteran Yang Hyeon-jong, along with foreign pitcher Neil, supported the team. Rookie pitchers such as Kim Do-hyun and Kwak Do-gyu took responsibility for the bullpen and closing.

In batting, the powerful offense was demonstrated by the addition of 41-year-old veteran Choi Hyung-woo, mid-30s players Na Sung-bum and Kim Sun-bin, and rookie Kim Do-young. Kim Do-young emerged as the hero of the 2024 professional baseball season with a batting average of .347, 38 home runs, and 40 stolen bases. The synergy between veterans and rookies in both pitching and batting became the driving force behind the victory. EcoTokTok analyzed that companies can also maximize competitiveness when experienced veterans and passionate young talents demonstrate a spirit of challenge.

The second factor is the 'Sacrificial Spirit of the Catcher.' In professional baseball, all the spotlight is on the batters and pitchers. However, without the sacrificial spirit of the catcher, the 'team's caretaker' who records 27 outs per game, winning is impossible. The catcher acts as the playing coach on the mound by conveying the manager's signs to fielders and adjusting defensive positions, and sometimes takes on tough tasks like physically blocking opposing runners charging home.

EcoTokTok explained, "In companies, although not visible, the achievements of employees who silently dedicate themselves to the organization based on a spirit of sacrifice in their respective fields should be recognized and rewarded," adding, "Operational staff on the ground play the role of the catcher when compared to baseball."

The third factor is the 'Ability to Utilize Data.' Kia analyzed through data that the batters' stamina sharply declined in June, leading to a lower winning percentage, and focused on physical training accordingly. The fourth factor is that opportunities always come after crises. In baseball, failing to capitalize on scoring chances due to double plays can lead to trouble in the next inning, whereas turning the opposing team into a double play often shifts momentum in the following inning. Similarly, in management, while many companies falter during crises, those that wisely overcome them can achieve outstanding growth through opportunities that follow.

Lastly, EcoTokTok highlighted the leader's communication skills. Kia Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho was the first-team hitting coach at the start of the year but took over as manager during spring training due to issues with the previous manager. Lee Beom-ho immersed himself with the players, training alongside them and fostering active communication, which helped unify the previously unsettled team atmosphere, EcoTokTok analyzed.

An EcoPro official stated, "Looking at the Kia Tigers' championship process, there are many factors worth referencing in corporate management, such as organizational integration, members' sacrificial spirit, and exemplary leadership," adding, "Since the ups and downs of professional baseball teams closely resemble those of companies, benchmarking the success factors of winning teams can greatly benefit corporate management."