As the world turns its attention to Wimbledon, there's more than one kind of strategy being tested on Centre Court. The same qualities that help tennis champions rise to the top, preparation, precision, adaptability and mental agility, are just as relevant in the world of workforce management (WFM).
While HR, Operations and Finance professionals aren’t battling it out with rackets and line calls, they are managing high-stakes scenarios, navigating shifting priorities and aiming for performance under pressure. In both cases, victory lies not in last-minute rallies, but in smart preparation, the right tools and a steady game plan.
Here’s what the world of tennis can teach us about getting the best from your people, platforms and processes.
1. Preparation Is Everything
Top players don’t just turn up on match day, they analyse their opponents, perfect their technique, and prepare for every scenario. Workforce leaders must do the same.
A WFM system health check is like a coaching session: it helps you identify inefficiencies, refine how your teams use your tools, and adopt best practice. Whether it’s streamlining shift patterns or improving reporting, even a small adjustment can deliver major gains over time.
2. Real-Time Visibility Keeps You in Control
On court, knowing the score at every moment is critical. In the workplace, real-time dashboards do the same job, they keep HR and Operations leaders up to date with absences, costs, coverage and compliance, without the need to chase spreadsheets or ask for updates.
Dashboards give you clarity. You know what’s working, where you’re exposed, and what’s coming next. That kind of visibility doesn’t just help you respond, it helps you lead.
3. Anticipate the Next Shot
Champions don’t just react to the ball, they read the game. Anticipation is a huge part of their success, and it’s equally important in workforce management.
Forecasting tools help you plan smarter. Whether you're predicting staffing demand for retail, managing capacity in healthcare, or planning projects across local government, data-led forecasting enables proactive decision-making. It turns your people strategy from reactive to strategic.
4. Play on the Right Court
Would a pro player choose to play with outdated kit? Not likely. So why are so many organisations still running critical operations on legacy systems?
Cloud-based WFM gives you the flexibility, performance and security you need to stay competitive. It also opens the door to powerful tools that require serious processing power, like AI-driven scheduling and people analytics.
Moving to the cloud also lightens the load on your internal IT team and ensures you're always playing with the latest upgrades, features and protection.
5. Bring in the Right Coach
Even world number ones have coaches. A great support team, whether that's your Account Manager, Service Desk or Technical Consultant, can be the difference between running a good system and getting real value from it.
At Crown, we encourage every customer to engage regularly with their Account Manager, to book training or consultancy when needed, and to take advantage of health-checks and integration support. You're not on your own.
6. Tell the Right Story at the Right Time
Tennis stats matter. But what matters more is what they mean. The same is true for HR and Finance teams trying to communicate workforce data to senior stakeholders.
The Open Data Platform makes it easy to turn complex data into clear, compelling visuals you can drop straight into PowerPoint. When it's time for your Monthly Business Review or Quarterly Board meeting, you’re already match-fit.
7. Play as a Team
While tennis might be a solo sport, workforce success never is. From planners and managers to frontline staff and systems integrators, everyone has a role to play.
That’s why it matters that your WFM platform is easy to use, flexible enough to grow with you, and fully integrated across your tech stack. It's not about isolated wins, it’s about whole-team performance.
