Working MLB:

While he and his wife were forecasting their future in government and Washington, D.C., Craig found an opportunity to work with the Astros, a young team realizing its potential after a lengthy rebuild. The role allowed him to use his expertise in data analysis to make informed decisions and improve the business’ performance. Craig's transition into sports was smoother than he expected, thanks to his problem-solving skills, ability to listen, and willingness to meet people where they are. As he progressed in his professional career, he realized he enjoyed being around people who were problem solvers and had intellectual curiosity. Craig's theory of working in Major League Baseball can also be applied in any field beyond sports. According to him, three things matter the most in any job: what you do, who you do it for, and who you do it with. A perfect job is the one where all three align. If you have two out of three, it's still a good job. However, it's time to look for a new job if you have none or only one.

Communication KEY:

Craig has a wealth of experience working with big organizations, where he was responsible for analyzing data and providing insights to improve their operations. He also managed programs that implement data-driven solutions to make better decisions. This experience gave him valuable knowledge that would help him secure a position at the White House. Craig believes being humble enough to recognize your never-ending opportunity for growth and being open-minded is essential in building effective relationships. His experience teaching 7th graders in Harlem and working in the White House is where he learned to listen to people and meet them where they are. Effective communication requires the "listening with meaning" approach - listening for the message and gathering accurate facts, but also listening for the emotion behind the message. Craig understands that there is always something to learn and that strong communication skills are crucial for effective leadership and interpersonal relationships.

A Passion for Data:

Fifteen years ago, utilizing data was less attractive than now, but it has become more crucial to understand the source of revenue to maximize profits. Craig emphasizes analyzing data to determine what motivates your fans to return and spend time and money on you in a world with many other options. It is crucial to know when and how to use this information. For example, even small percentages matter during the season ticket renewal period. While the season is ongoing, maximizing single-game revenues is critical. During the off-season, focusing on increasing the season ticket percentages is essential. Understanding the overall strategy allows you to focus on the more critical metrics in marketing, sponsorships, and ticket sales and ignore some of the noise. Understanding your customers' price sensitivity is crucial to effective business management; data analysis is the only way to achieve this. To effectively manage different aspects of your business, you need to develop unique strategies and analyze distinct data sets. If you aspire to work in data and analytics, Craig suggests that you focus on developing two soft skills and one technical skill. Since data is a highly technical area, it is crucial to have a good grasp of coding, such as Python, which can be learned through courses, boot camps, or school programs that are often free. In addition to technical skills, developing communication skills to effectively convey complex data insights to others is crucial. Finally, problem-solving and intellectual curiosity are critical skills in this field, as they allow you to approach challenges with a creative mindset and continue learning and growing in your role.

What’s Happening in Sports

🏀 Fever rookie Caitlin Clark stuns in WNBA debut before a sellout crowd.

🏀 Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards is quickly becoming the face of the NBA. T’Wolves take a 2-0 lead over Defending Champions, Nuggets.

🏀 Donovan Mitchell leads historic Game 7 comeback; Cleveland moves on to face Celtics.

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