What Your Digital A-Team Should Look Like

The A-Team was one of the most popular television shows in my childhood. The success was based on the 4 main characters, all played by personable actors. There is a lot you can learn from Hannibal, B.A., Face, and Murdock.

When I was a kid in the 1980s, The A-Team was one of the most popular television shows, reaching an audience of both children and adults. Of course, car chases and fistfights have a tendency to attract a large viewing public, but the real secret to Stephen J. Cannell’s production was the characters. Not because they were so well-rounded but because 4 charming actors played them as personable, cartoon figures.

The A-Team was a group of 4 Vietnam vets who fought injustice. Each of the heroes was defined by his own strength:

1. Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard) was the cunning leader who makes effective plans.
2. Lieutenant Templeton “Face” Peck (Dirk Benedict) was a charming guy who serves as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items.
3. Sergeant First Class Bosco “B.A.” Baracus (Mr. T) was a strongman and mechanic.
4. Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz) was the team’s pilot. Declared insane, Murdock was the show’s main source of comic relief.

Because of the combination of these skills, the A-Team was unbeatable. I didn’t watch all 98 episodes, but I never saw them fail at the end of a show.

Though The A-Team can be derided as childish entertainment, there is something to learn from the 4 heroes. Just as they would always win because they encompassed all the skills needed in an action adventure, you can win in business by choosing a team that combines the right skills in the business world. To illustrate my point, I want to present to you the perfect team for our age of Digital Transformation:

1. The strategist. He is a leader who has marketing knowledge and is responsible for the big picture. He heads the other team members and is aware of disruptive trends. He ensures relationships and integration with other disciplines in the organization such as sales and operations.
2. The developer. She knows everything about existing technology but also likes to experiment and invent new solutions.
3. The copywriter. He is someone who produces old-fashioned, good copy, but also understands the demands of the digital age.
4. The SEO and social media expert. He ensures that the copy of the copywriter reaches the right audience.
5. The UX designer. Her assignment is to design websites or apps that offer an excellent user experience.
6. The data scientist. Delving into the data, he offers fresh, new insights and recognizes new opportunities.

Of course, there are some characteristics that each individual team member has to have:

• In addition to their own skills, they must have a basic knowledge of communication, marketing, and the digital world.
• They are “T-shaped” people, meaning they know how to collaborate with people outside their own field of expertise.
• They are prepared to keep learning and developing themselves. 

You may not have the financial means to hire a complete digital team. At RevelX, we have a number of digital experts on the payroll that can help complete your team. They are ready to implement winning, growth-hacking strategies which are insightful, innovative, and practical. We love it when a plan comes together!