As a fan of professional basketball, football and baseball, especially Chicago’s teams, I often find valuable business lessons in analogizing labor and employment law related issues to those in sports (chess too for that matter). These analogies include the triangle offense/defense (basketball), the 46 defense (football) or what to say or not to say to motivate players (Mike Ditka, Ozzie Guillen and Scott Skiles).

This year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) switched from leather balls to synthetic microfiber balls. After conducting very little testing with current NBA players, league management unilaterally decided to make the change.

Well, after repeated and loud complaints, from such well known players as MVPs Shaquille O’Neal and Steve Nash, the NBA decided that as of January 2007, the leather balls are back. Many players complained that the new balls were too slippery and caused cuts on their fingers.

The lesson in all of this is that as a business, if you’re going to make changes in equipment, processes, products or services, talk and listen to those who will be most affected. Listening to the affected market will save money, time and energy. Moreover, when employers don’t listen, labor unions will. This is how union organizing campaigns start and how unions get elected. Preventive and proactive human resources saves businesses money.

For more detailed information about the fiscal cost of ineffective HR and labor and employee relations, check out my October 11, 2006, post The Cost Of An Employment Dispute & The Probability Of Getting Hit With A Complaint Or Lawsuit.