In Rugby we have UNITS within the Team, The Forwards: who are the
primary (but not the only) ball winners for the team, and The Backs who are
usually regarded as the strike force of the team. After the first phase of the
game, although they keep the primary role, they must be able to perform the
other unit’s task in a satisfactory way. Both units are formed with different
types of technical skills and body shapes and they are demanded to play in
different positions and at a different pace. The strongest and more resistant
are the Forwards, the skilled and fast are the backs. One needs the other,
and in a coordinated and collaborative way they think and act as only ONE
Team.
Each Rugby Unit could be associated to a Company Unit.
Each Rugby Team could be perfectly associated to a functional -or cross-functional- business team.
In Business we have UNITS, functional ones: Marketing, Sales, Production, Logistics, Administration, R&D,
Human Resources. Each unit is formed by different people, with different talents and expertise. Initially
they have a clear role to perform: a written job description. But, after a while, and with the goal to
delivery high class products or services, they must be able to know and support other units work. To
understand and empathize with the constraints that, may be, other units have.

The game of Rugby is a game of Possession: the ball, and Position: Territory. Therefore after having our
Forwards fighting to win the ADVANTAGE  we have our Backs giving all they have to SCORE.  Our
advantage could come from our R&D unit, or for our Logistics' or Operation's. They are constantly
defending that advantage. Now, Sales & Marketing need to score, also with the support of HR and
Administration. Simply because it cannot be a sale without on time product delivery, right pricing, and
excellent customer support. Everybody has to think and act as only ONE Team.