HOME ABOUT PRODUCT PODCAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

From Estate Agency to Elite Football Management: A Conversation with Matt Beard

In this episode of the "Utterly Indispensable Podcast," host Rob Graves sits down with Matt Beard, the manager of Liverpool Women's Football Club. Matt shares his unique journey from being an estate agent to becoming a renowned football manager. The conversation delves into the parallels between managing a football team and running a successful estate agency, highlighting the importance of fundamentals, training, and data-driven decision-making.

Key Topics Discussed:

Introduction and Matt's Background (00:00 -  01:20)

  • Introduction to Matt Beard, his current role as Liverpool Women's Football Club manager.
  • Matt's background as one of the first full-time professional managers in women's football.
  • Brief mention of his decade-long career as an estate agent.

Transition from Football to Estate Agency and Back (01:20 - 03:07)

  • Matt's early days in football, including playing for Millwall and Brentford.
  • His decision to become an estate agent after realizing football wouldn't be his career path.
  • Enjoyment of the competitive and result-driven nature of estate agency work.

Similarities Between Estate Agency and Football (03:07 - 04:46)

  • The parallels between achieving sales targets in estate agency and winning games in football.
  • The adrenaline and satisfaction derived from both professions.

Matt's Journey Back to Football (04:46 - 06:12)

  • Re-entry into football through coaching roles, including his tenure at Chelsea Women's team.
  • Balancing estate agency work with part-time coaching roles.
  • Achieving coaching qualifications and transitioning to full-time football management.

Taking on Full-Time Football Management (06:12 -  08:03)

  • Matt's appointment as Liverpool Women's manager in 2012.
  • Moving to Liverpool and his early successes, including winning back-to-back league titles and the FA Cup.

Challenges and Learning Experiences in the US (08:03 -  11:11)

  • Moving to the US to manage Boston Breakers in the NWSL.
  • Differences in football culture and the emphasis on winning in the US.
  • Learning from mistakes and adapting to a new football environment.

Importance of Setting Realistic Goals (11:11 -  13:18)

  • The significance of setting achievable targets for maintaining motivation and progress.
  • Examples of setting interim goals to build confidence and momentum.

Focusing on Fundamentals (13:18 -  15:21)

  • The importance of getting the basics right in both football and estate agency.
  • Avoiding distractions and focusing on core activities that drive success.

Embracing Data and Analytics (15:21 -  16:01)

  • The role of data in football, including tracking performance and setting benchmarks.
  • Simplifying data to focus on key performance indicators.

Team Performance and Preparation (16:01 -  17:15)

  • Preparing players to perform at their best by focusing on specific metrics.
  • Using training to replicate game conditions and improve performance.

Communication and Listening (17:15 -  24:15)

  • The critical role of communication in both football and estate agency.
  • Understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of team members and clients.

Creating the Right Environment (24:15 -  27:15)

  • Establishing a supportive and inclusive culture where team members can thrive.
  • The importance of valuing each team member's contributions.

Lessons for Estate Agency from Football (27:15 -  30:47)

  • Setting realistic and achievable targets.
  • Providing regular training and development opportunities.
  • Listening to and understanding team members and clients.

Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts (30:47 -  35:17)

  • Matt's reflections on the importance of authenticity and being genuine.
  • The value of getting to know team members and building strong relationships.
  • Encouragement for estate agents to focus on fundamentals and continuous improvement.

Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways (35:17 -  49:12)

  • Rob's reflections on the conversation and the key lessons learned.
  • The importance of focusing on the basics, setting realistic targets, and leveraging data.
  • The value of creating a supportive and inclusive team environment.

Notable Quotes:

  • "Scoring a goal and closing a sale both give you that adrenaline rush and sense of achievement."
  • "Setting realistic targets is crucial; otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for failure."
  • "If you focus on getting the basics right, everything else falls into place."

Listener Takeaways:

  • The importance of setting realistic, achievable targets in both football and estate agency.
  • The value of continuous training and development for maintaining high performance.
  • Building strong relationships and understanding team members' needs is crucial for success.
  • Tune in to this fascinating episode to learn more about the parallels between estate agency and elite football management and how you can apply these lessons to your own career.

Connect with Matt Beard 

Website: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/womens/staff/matt-beard 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-beard-6b2a6089/ 

Connect with Rob Graves:

Linkedin: Key Coaching Ltd 

Twitter: @robgraves 

Website:  www.keycoaching.co.uk