The Madness behind March Madness!

Avid sports fan or not, most everyone looks forward to March and when this month entails. For those out there that for some insane reason do not know what March Madness is, you can compare it to the Super Bowl multiplied over ten days instead of one. It is hands down the biggest college sporting event, ever.

Although March Madness is a very popular and crazed over event, it has not gotten to be at the level it is today without the help of social media.  Both Facebook and Twitter have helped to make this event not only a more interactive one, but an even larger one than ever before. Record amount of 'likes' as well as followers have allowed more and more fans to stay linked to the games and happenings that surround college basketball.

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Why is this tournament such a big deal to so many? How many people really watch the games even? According to TV by the Numbers, 7.9 million viewers were watching the first Thursday and Friday of the NCAA tournament. Obviously with that high of number, it is more than college students and family members of the players that are watching it when the games start at 11:00 am CT.  Many people have found ways to bring the games to the office instead of having to run to a local bar during their lunch break to catch some of the game as they have had to do in the past. Getting the games on their iPads, desktops, smart phones, or even radio has allowed 8-5 workers the chance to keep up with the action without having to take off of work, although some have the desperation to go that far. Employers realize that 'slacking' is going to happen during people's workday because of the games, however they work together with their employees to make sure that it doesn't get in the way of getting their work done. Dean Jarrett from the Martin Agency said the following about the matter:

"We hire people we believe have good judgment and we trust them to use it," spokesman Dean Jarrett says. "Can you imagine getting an e-mail at work that said, 'We know it's time for March Madness and that many of you have access to see those games during work hours on your computer or mobile devices. Please don't use work time to follow your favorite team because work time is for work.' "

Although distracting, following the games during work has been shown to bring employees closer together and form a bond of companionship amongst each other. Half of Human Resource managers state that this sense of camaraderie between each others brackets have made it easier for employees to work together and get an insight into each others personal lives. 

"The happier your employees are, the more productive they will be," Moore Cicotello says. "The more collaborative they are, the more productive they will be."