What I knew before visiting EA:
Intro and Expectations
Our first Silicon Valley visit was one I was looking very much forward to. I have been playing EA games since elementary school, having more than a few times quoted the iconic phrase, “EA Sports. It’s in the game.” Upon doing some research into EA, I noticed that they had recently hired a young CEO by the name of Andrew Wilson. This was likely in a direct attempt to combat some negative press they had received in prior years due to their lack of proper customer service. However, since Wilson has been in charge, EA has adopted a customer-first stance that has allowed them to improve and once again reach prominence.
Visit
At EA, we were greeted by Brad Margolis who had a unique task for us. To show us the value of teamwork, our presenter showed to us an electric map. The electric map was essentially a rug with about 30 identical gray squares on it. Upon viewing this electric map, the presenter assigned us a task. Without speaking, our entire team must cross the entire map without hitting a buzzer more than ten times. At first, each one of our team members stepped up one-by-one and continuously failed, often times leading to outbursts of laughter and ridicule from fellow team members. Within fifteen minutes, our team failed and complained that the task was practically impossible. Our presenter had a different theory though. He said that instead of going one-by-one, slowing the process, we should all go right after each other. If we fail, at least we can fail fast. Also, instead of ridiculing team members after they goof, we should praise them, for they just helped us collect data to better use to our advantage. All members should do their job to point and guide their teammates along the path.
We were given a second chance to do the maze given these instructions and within six minutes, we passed right through. This was a rather fun exercise that showed to us firsthand the value of failing fast and encouraging your teammates to succeed. This exercise taught the class the importance of failing fast, and how that helped EA to build. Everyone will fail at some point in their career, but when you do, it is essential to pick yourself back up and quickly learn from your errors. When the class learned to appreciate the "failures" and collect data, the results began to come. After stopping briefly to examine the solar eclipse (it didn’t hit our area hard), we began to discuss how EA has developed into a more consumer-driven company. Following the direction of Wilson, EA has gone back to what made them great, taking input from their audience and inserting it into the game.
Post Visit Actions
What really stuck with me from the EA visit was the electric map exercise. I have done dozens of similar exercises before, but never have I experienced one in which the before and after effects were so pronounced. It really showed me that despite what may come naturally to us, positive support and encouragement can really make an immeasurable impact in a team setting. EA obviously did this, from letting gamers come in to test the games and encouraging the cross-functionality of its employees. Once Wilson began to implement these changes, EA began to reaffirm its place in the market. It's a lesson in always making sure the customers are happy. EA has to take a step back and re-wire their brand, but now customers appreciate them more for it.
Key Takeaways
- They were one of the biggest names in the gaming industry, having built such classics as Madden, Battlefront, and Star Wars.
- I have been a lifelong Madden gamer, so I am fairly familiar with EA games.
Intro and Expectations
Our first Silicon Valley visit was one I was looking very much forward to. I have been playing EA games since elementary school, having more than a few times quoted the iconic phrase, “EA Sports. It’s in the game.” Upon doing some research into EA, I noticed that they had recently hired a young CEO by the name of Andrew Wilson. This was likely in a direct attempt to combat some negative press they had received in prior years due to their lack of proper customer service. However, since Wilson has been in charge, EA has adopted a customer-first stance that has allowed them to improve and once again reach prominence.
Visit
At EA, we were greeted by Brad Margolis who had a unique task for us. To show us the value of teamwork, our presenter showed to us an electric map. The electric map was essentially a rug with about 30 identical gray squares on it. Upon viewing this electric map, the presenter assigned us a task. Without speaking, our entire team must cross the entire map without hitting a buzzer more than ten times. At first, each one of our team members stepped up one-by-one and continuously failed, often times leading to outbursts of laughter and ridicule from fellow team members. Within fifteen minutes, our team failed and complained that the task was practically impossible. Our presenter had a different theory though. He said that instead of going one-by-one, slowing the process, we should all go right after each other. If we fail, at least we can fail fast. Also, instead of ridiculing team members after they goof, we should praise them, for they just helped us collect data to better use to our advantage. All members should do their job to point and guide their teammates along the path.
We were given a second chance to do the maze given these instructions and within six minutes, we passed right through. This was a rather fun exercise that showed to us firsthand the value of failing fast and encouraging your teammates to succeed. This exercise taught the class the importance of failing fast, and how that helped EA to build. Everyone will fail at some point in their career, but when you do, it is essential to pick yourself back up and quickly learn from your errors. When the class learned to appreciate the "failures" and collect data, the results began to come. After stopping briefly to examine the solar eclipse (it didn’t hit our area hard), we began to discuss how EA has developed into a more consumer-driven company. Following the direction of Wilson, EA has gone back to what made them great, taking input from their audience and inserting it into the game.
Post Visit Actions
What really stuck with me from the EA visit was the electric map exercise. I have done dozens of similar exercises before, but never have I experienced one in which the before and after effects were so pronounced. It really showed me that despite what may come naturally to us, positive support and encouragement can really make an immeasurable impact in a team setting. EA obviously did this, from letting gamers come in to test the games and encouraging the cross-functionality of its employees. Once Wilson began to implement these changes, EA began to reaffirm its place in the market. It's a lesson in always making sure the customers are happy. EA has to take a step back and re-wire their brand, but now customers appreciate them more for it.
Key Takeaways
- EA began to turn things around when they decided to focus on the consumer first.
- Fail fast
- Teamwork is essential to achieving a tough goal