Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes and 22 seconds

This Week’s Issue

• Quick Intro

• HBR - Giving Feedback

• Case Study - Fortnite

• Suggested Readings

• Next Week…

A Quick Intro

Hey ya’ll, thanks for popping in to read the third edition of Grade K MBA! This week I want to go back to some general advice and a case study. First, I want to share some ways you can get better at giving tough feedback, based on recommendations from The Harvard Business Review. I then want to repurpose a blog post I wrote a while ago by providing a case study that shows how Fortnite became so popular.

HBR - Giving Tough Feedback

If you're a leader or manager, the thought of giving feedback might leave you feeling uneasy. Filip, the director of project management at a translation services company, experienced this firsthand. He found himself unable to provide feedback to his team due to the fear of damaging relationships, despite his competency in managing complex projects across cultures.

His story brings to light a common struggle among leaders: overcoming the fear of giving feedback. The reluctance to engage in potentially difficult conversations can undermine the growth and engagement of your team. Workplaces with poor communication and unclear expectations are breeding grounds for low trust and disengagement. Here's how you can conquer this fear:

1. Break Binary Thinking

Leaders who avoid conflict often harbor unfounded beliefs such as "providing feedback will ruin our working relationship". But this binary thinking can be inaccurate and harmful. The truth is, being assertive and direct can drive growth without damaging relationships. Speaking up can help drive projects to completion, create a more productive work environment, and provide career development opportunities for your team members.

2. View Feedback as a Valuable Tool

Feedback is vital for your team's career development. When team members don't receive honest feedback, their engagement may drop. In contrast, leaders who are good at providing honest feedback have teams with high engagement scores. Remember, when you're giving feedback, you're not causing a conflict. You're guiding your team toward growth and being the leader they need.

3. Plan for Possible Outcomes

The fear of the unknown often holds leaders back. By considering the best, worst, and most likely outcomes of a feedback conversation, you can lessen your anxiety and prepare for different responses.

4. Start Strong

Planning your opening can boost your confidence and set the tone for the conversation. Be direct and specific, and use "I" statements to communicate your concerns. For instance, instead of saying, "You dropped the ball again," try saying, "I’m concerned that I didn’t get the documents in time for the client meeting today."

5. Make Feedback a Habit

Feedback shouldn't be an occasional blast but a regular part of your management process. Regular one-on-ones and project debriefs can provide structured opportunities for feedback. This ongoing approach will not only help you become more comfortable with providing feedback but also foster a positive feedback culture within your team.

Remember, your role as a leader involves guiding your team toward growth. Overcoming your fear of giving feedback will strengthen your leadership skills and create a more engaged and productive team.

Case Study - Fortnite

The video game sector is known for its ceaseless innovation and originality, with countless games redefining what gaming can be. From the early days of Pac-Man and Space Invaders to the recent groundbreaking hits like Grand Theft Auto and World of Warcraft, the industry's evolution has been nothing short of remarkable. However, few games have caused as much of a stir as Epic Games' Fortnite. This month, we're shining the spotlight on Fortnite's rapid rise to prominence, unpacking the strategies that have propelled it to the apex of the gaming world.

The Genesis of Fortnite by Epic Games

Epic Games, established in 1991, has been a significant player in the gaming and software development landscape, creating popular titles like Unreal Tournament and Gears of War. However, it wasn't until the launch of Fortnite in 2017 that the company truly stepped into the global limelight.

Fortnite was initially conceived as a player-versus-environment (PvE) game titled "Fortnite: Save the World." The concept was intriguing, centering around cooperative survival in a post-apocalyptic world. However, it didn't quite hit the mark for Epic Games. The real game-changer was when developers recognized a gap in the burgeoning Battle Royale genre and pivoted their game to fit this mold.

Fortnite Battle Royale's Unexpected Triumph

With the rising popularity of Battle Royale games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Epic Games took a gamble and developed their own version. The result was Fortnite Battle Royale, launched in September 2017, where 100 players parachute onto an island with the aim of being the last one standing.

Fortnite Battle Royale quickly became a global sensation, thanks to its unique blend of shooting and construction features, vibrant aesthetics, and, most notably, its free-to-play model. This innovative approach garnered the attention of millions of gamers worldwide, creating a fervent fanbase that has only grown over time. By 2020, Fortnite boasted over 350 million registered users, earning Epic Games billions of dollars and sparking a cultural phenomenon.

Innovation in Business Models: Free-to-Play and Microtransactions

A key factor in Fortnite's success was its groundbreaking business strategy. Instead of charging upfront, Epic Games made the audacious decision to make Fortnite Battle Royale entirely free to play, planning to generate revenue from in-game purchases and the sale of a 'Battle Pass' – a seasonal membership that offered users exclusive in-game rewards.

In Fortnite, microtransactions were solely for aesthetic enhancements, ensuring that the game remained a fair playing field for all players, regardless of their spending habits. This unique business model made the game accessible to a broader audience and allowed Epic Games to generate a steady income from loyal players keen to spend money on cosmetics.

Suggested Reading

• We have a blog! - https://gradekmba.medium.com/

• The Harvard Business Review

What to Expect Next Week

Next week we will continue with our bread and butter - a mix of theory and case studies. I continue to watch and read A LOT on the subjects of leadership, psychology, business management, and finance. I would expect, then, that next week will continue some mix of those topics.

Until Next Time

Thank you so much for giving this issue of Grade K MBA a read. I hope this edition was interesting and engaging for you.

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Be Good!

~Dan