Going Bananas for Workplace Culture: Five Lessons from the Savannah Bananas
- Desi Payne
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Day 1: Savannah Bananas Workplace Culture Lessons: Put People First
On the Fourth of July, I had the opportunity to experience something unforgettable: watching the Savannah Bananas play in front of approximately 70,000 enthusiastic fans at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
This was not simply a baseball game. It was music, dancing, laughter, surprises, audience participation, and nonstop energy. Before the first pitch was thrown, the players were meeting fans, signing autographs, taking pictures, and making people feel like they were part of the show.
The evening even included the famous Kinnick Wave to the children and families at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, followed by fireworks to conclude the celebration.
As I looked around at the packed stadium, I kept thinking about Savannah Bananas founder Jesse Cole. During the organization’s first three months, Jesse and his wife, Emily, reportedly sold only two tickets. They had sold their home, emptied their savings, and taken tremendous financial risks to keep their dream alive.
How does someone go from selling two tickets to filling a stadium with 70,000 people?
The answer can be summarized in two words: Fans First.
Over the next five days, I want to share five workplace-culture lessons I learned from watching the Savannah Bananas.
Day One: Put People First
Jesse Cole does not simply say that fans are important. He has built an entire organization around his Fans First philosophy.
Every decision begins with a question: How will this make the experience better for the fans?
At Kinnick Stadium, you could see that philosophy everywhere. Players were not hiding in a locker room waiting for the game to begin. They were interacting with people, taking selfies, signing items, dancing, laughing, and creating memories.
The fans were not treated like spectators. They were treated like participants.
What would happen if every workplace operated with that same mindset?
What if leaders asked:
How can we make our employees feel appreciated?
How can we make our customers feel seen?
How can we turn an ordinary interaction into a memorable experience?
Putting people first does not always require a large budget or an elaborate program. Sometimes it is as simple as making eye contact, listening, showing appreciation, or giving someone your full attention.
People may forget exactly what happened during an interaction, but they will remember how you made them feel.
That is where an energized workplace culture begins. Stay tuned for Day 2.
Let's Get Energized!
Desi
Workplace Culture
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