1. BEST PRACTICES TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS A DIRECTOR OF VOLLEYBALL OPERATIONS
Bobbi Sumpter - University of Washington
Kyle Thompson - University of Maryland

2. Job Description vs. Reality
“Other duties as assigned” - example
Bullet point to do list - 15 extra small things will come up through the day
Embracing the unexpected - “Compensate and adjust”
If it takes 2 minutes or less do it right away

3. Overview
Organization
Communication
Tips and Tricks
Q&A

4. Organization - G Suite

5. Organization - G Suite
Food orders: explain the process (Monday mornings)

6. Organization - Scheduling

7. Organization - Scheduling
Explain team works

8. Organization - Itineraries

9. Organization - Itineraries
Important things for Itinerary :
Addresses for bus drivers/families/coaches (gym, hotel, restaurant)
Flight information with times and flight #
Jersey colors, bag assignments

10. Organization - Travel Preparation Sheets
One Month Out - Two Weeks Out - One Week Out

11. Communication - Staff - Case by case - Sounding Board vs. Reflector
- Servant Leadership
Case by case - evaluating your organization's strengths and weaknesses and shape your role to strengthen your program
Sounding boards are passing along information and ensuring all parties are well informed - reflectors are able to gather all information and make informed/unbiased recommendations
Switch seats Bobbi - Southwest Kyle

12. Communication - Team - Point of reference - Unique roll
- Keep it simple and clear (who, what, where, when)
You should want to be the person that everyone comes to with questions - at the end of the day your role is to minimize chaos and maximize efficiency
You’re not their coach but you're not their mother/father - provide the best student-athlete experience

13. Communication - Athletic Department
- Liaison to program
- Relationship based approach
- Representation
-60/40 (spend almost half your time working with other people in the department so developing those relationships are equally as important as working with your staff)

14. Tips and Tricks - Expect the unexpected
- 2 steps ahead/1 week in advance
- Travel tips
- Anti Snowball Effect
Example: When return flight was cancelled after our Utah match.
Example: Uniform in hotel room
Example:
Anti-snowball effect: not everything is going to go as planned and sometimes you won’t have a plan B ready. It is important to move on quickly and make sure that the next task is done correctly rather than going cray cray and losing your mind. Example:
Trick: confirm everything twice, verbally and in writing, pull out the receipts when necessary
Tip: Receipt envelope
Travel tips: -forks, sharpies, expo markers, print boarding passes in advance, call hotel right when you land, food orders always 30 minutes earlier than needed

15. Tips and Tricks - Program Strengths/Weaknesses
- Reflection
- Short-term and long term goals
- Confidence in “no”

16. Final Statements Create and evolve organizational structure
Communication directly correlates to productivity
One step ahead mentality