The major activity in college athletics last week saw universities realigning their conference relationships. It’s a growth industry in a down economy and they’re seizing financial opportunities that emerge from positive associations with high fan-base institutions.

The PAC-12’s announcement to "hold" was in stark contrast to this auction-like attitude. Commissioner Larry Scott said, "…we are going to focus solely on [our] great assets, our strong heritage, and the bright future in front of us."

There’s a lesson here for all of our businesses.

Do you believe in the dream teams who have reached corporate goals in the past, and will again in the future?

Or, are your teams of employees up for auction?

How do you as a business owner or executive identify which conference of teams is golden for your company?

Sure, you have your choice of many conferences of teams, but what will build the most profitability and productivity into your core business today?

Here are five key traits of your golden dream teams:

Listen

The movie Pulp Fiction has a line that goes something like, "Are you really listening, or just waiting to talk?"

Invite your dream team players to listen closely to more than just the words of company play calls. Watch body language. Listen to understand the team goals to get a clear picture of scoring profits.

Humility

If you follow college football, you can name at least one quarterback or running back. Can you name an offensive lineman?

These guys only get their names called when they’re penalized. Yet their performance is essential to the team’s success.

Foster team humility so running plays highlights everyone’s accomplishments. One of those "great assets" is to realize that the team and other players are at least as important as the individual.

Mutual Benefit

I bought a bird feeder made with a counterweight device that shuts the feeder door when anything heavier than a bird lights on the feeder. Squirrels defeated this most ingenious device by teaming up. While one squirrel stands on the counterweight bar, keeping the front door open, the other feeds. Then they switch places.

Like these squirrels, your players can work for mutual benefit as they each fulfill their assigned roles. This trait is the most important in attracting new, positive customers and clients. Everyone wants to conference with a team that calls mutually beneficial plays.

Accountability

A rubber band has a shape of its own until you stretch it around a deck of cards. Then it assumes the shape the pressure puts on it to hold the cards together.

Your conference of work teams holds its members to certain standards and puts pressure on them to achieve well. They hold one another accountable to be their best.

The Golden Rule

Successful businesses today know the Golden Rule works. So they work the Golden Rule with fellow team members, customers, and vendors.

Develop these five traits in your conference of company teams and watch as your profits grow golden.

Just ask Larry Scott.