2024 India Retreat | Track 3, Session 3

Summary

In this video script, Martin Chalk, Director of Elite Operations at Huddle, addresses the rapid growth of the company, particularly in India, where they've expanded from 20 to over 1,200 employees in four years. He discusses career development opportunities, the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and the significance of meeting targets in the fast-paced sports industry. Martin also emphasizes the company's commitment to internal promotions and the potential for further growth with upcoming projects and acquisitions.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker, Martin, is a director for Elite Operations at Hudl, emphasizing the company's growth and his personal journey with the company.
• 📈 Hudl has experienced significant growth, particularly in the Elite side of the business, expanding from 20 people in 2020 to over 1,200 in 2023.
• 🏠 Martin lives in a small UK village called Eldwick, highlighting the contrast between his hometown and the urban areas where many employees live.
• 🍕 Martin shares a personal interest in making pizza, inspired by his visits to Italy, showing a more personal side to the company leadership.
• 💼 The company has a strong focus on internal development, with no external hires for supervisory or management roles within the Elite side in India.
• 🏀 Hudl is involved in tagging for multiple sports including football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, and ruby, with potential to expand into more sports.
• 📊 There is a wide range of processes within Hudl Elite, including tagging, database management, video operations, and quality assurance, among others.
• 📈 The company is moving towards consolidating more operations into Hudl India due to the successful track record and trust built within the team.
• 🔍 Hudl is looking to expand its services, including potential acquisitions like Stats Perform, which could bring new opportunities in American football.
• 🚀 The company emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and being a team player, especially during the high-paced sports seasons.
• 🎯 Hudl sets challenging targets to drive growth and improvement, expecting employees to embrace these goals and provide feedback for continuous improvement.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is Martin, a director for Elite Operations at Huddle.

What is the main topic of Martin's talk?

The main topic of Martin's talk is Elite Career Development and the growth of the Elite side of the Huddle business.

What is the significance of the weather conditions mentioned in the script?

The weather conditions are mentioned as a way for Martin to acknowledge the current situation in India and express hope for better weather, showing empathy and connection with the audience.

What is the speaker's personal fun fact about making pizza?

Martin enjoys making pizza, a passion that was inspired by his visits to Italy and the Huddle team there.

How has the Elite team in Huddle India grown since 2020?

The Elite team in Huddle India has grown from around 20 people in 2020 to over 1,200 people by the time of the talk.

What sports does Huddle currently tag in their Elite operations?

Huddle tags five sports in their Elite operations: soccer (football), basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, and rugby.

What is the importance of the quote from Jambi mentioned by Martin?

The quote from Jambi emphasizes that the future is shaped by actions taken in the present, encouraging the team to focus on current efforts to ensure future success.

How does Martin describe the working hours in the sports industry?

Martin describes the working hours in the sports industry as not being confined to a 9-to-5 Monday to Friday schedule, often requiring work on weekends and evenings to meet the demands of the industry.

What is the impact of unplanned leaves on the Elite team's operations?

Unplanned leaves can create problems for the stability of teams and their operations, affecting the ability to service customers reliably and efficiently.

What is the significance of the growth in non-tagging roles within the Elite team?

The growth in non-tagging roles, such as supervising, team leading, and managing, indicates the diversification and expansion of responsibilities within the Elite team, highlighting the range of career opportunities available.

How does Martin view the importance of teamwork and collaboration within Huddle India?

Martin views teamwork and collaboration as crucial for success, emphasizing that the company's growth and ability to meet customer needs depend on the collective effort and reliability of the team members.