Debunking the myth - ‘Doug isn’t getting the commercial things right’ (1 Viewer)

[ms639]

I think it’s finally time to dispel the myth that DK has some sort of issue with the commercial side of the business, this phrase is thrown around so lazily so let’s break it down…

1. Making decisions and then going back / adapting them - this is literally how every good business should operate these days. Feedback loops are rapid (social media) so it’s extremely easy to test sentiment and adapt decisions accordingly. Having the humility to put something out there and then change it is the sign of a good leader who is responsive to the needs of their customers.

2. The away shirt is delayed - the impact of the away shirt being delayed means people have more time to buy the home shirt. This means more people wil buy the home shirt (see this seasons record sales) we live in an ‘I want it now’ society (cheers amazon) customers who would historically have bought either home or away now buy both because they don’t want to wait, again smart. Create demand, sell more shirts.

3. Infrastructure - the infrastructure at our club is growing in quality, he is making smart investments in infrastructure which gives the club appeal and longevity, football is short termist in nature but a prudent commercial leader has a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, Doug is doing both.

4. Playing assets - we have done extremely shrewd business on 2 huge assets gyok and hamer which in all likelihood will pay out twice, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Our previous owners categorically would not have done this.

Ticket sales never been higher, best side we’ve had in years, improved food and beverage deals, great infrastructure the list goes on.

Just because a few middle aged men have to wait 2 weeks to buy their shirt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the commercial side of the club

(Caveat: I will concede that king of shaves last year was likely a fumble, everyone gets 1 decision wrong)

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[Nick]

Trying to give the club money to sponsor a player's shirt, a week into the season and I'm the one having to chase. Still don't even know the price.

Yeah I know it's only a couple of hundred quid as opposed to hundreds of thousands but even so. Its not hard.

If I was doing it purely for business and not because I support the club id have moved on and sponsored local small teams instead.

 

[ms639]

Trying to give the club money to sponsor a player's shirt, a week into the season and I'm the one having to chase. Still don't even know the price.

Yeah I know it's only a couple of hundred quid as opposed to hundreds of thousands but even so. Its not hard.

The money we get to sponsor a players shirt will be a rounding error, sure it’s annoying for you personally but in the grand scheme of things…


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[Nick]

The money we get to sponsor a players shirt will be a rounding error, sure it’s annoying for you personally but in the grand scheme of things…


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Maybe that's the issue, just thinking "ah it's just people wanting to sponsor a shirt"

It all adds up and for all they know they will lose out on people who want to then step up to bigger sponsorship money. (I know at least one person who wanted to sponsor more stuff who didn't in the end).

 

[ms639]

Maybe that's the issue, just thinking "ah it's just people wanting to sponsor a shirt"

It all adds up and for all they know they will lose out on people who want to then step up to bigger sponsorship money. (I know at least one person who wanted to sponsor more stuff who didn't in the end).

So you’re in the camp that the commercial side of the club is being run well because it’s been a bit of a pain to sponsor a players shirt?


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[Nick]

So you’re in the camp that the commercial side of the club is being run well because it’s been a bit of a pain to sponsor a players shirt?


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I mean that's literally the commercial part of the clubs job.

Its not a bit of a pain. Its a week into the season and impossible to do.

You're right. It might only be a couple of hundred quid but it's wrong to just think "ah it's fuck all, forget about it"

 

[ms639]

I mean that's literally the commercial part of the clubs job.

lol . Amongst literally running the club, I get it, we’re so emotionally invested in the club so you don’t think of it as a business and therefore hold them to a standard that you wouldn’t hold other businesses to, there is so so much that we’re getting right that absolutely dwarfs what is going ‘wrong’


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[Nick]

lol . Amongst literally running the club, I get it, we’re so emotionally invested in the club so you don’t think of it as a business and therefore hold them to a standard that you wouldn’t hold other businesses to, there is so so much that we’re getting right that absolutely dwarfs what is going ‘wrong’


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You're on about the commercial team? You do realise they aren't buying and selling players or doing up ryton don't you?

 

[ms639]

You're on about the commercial team? You do realise they aren't buying and selling players or doing up ryton don't you?

No im on about all commercial aspects of the club which DK is responsible for which includes everything I’ve mentioned.


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[Nick]

Yeah and I'm on about the actual commercial department of the club.

They aren't buying or selling players.

Weird thread.

 

[ms639]

Yeah and I'm on about the actual commercial department of the club.

They aren't buying or selling players.

Weird thread.

Not really, if you read the title of the thread it’s about people claiming DK is running commercial aspects of the club poorly, because you’ve decided to hone in on one very niche area is your decision.


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[Potbellypig]

I think it’s finally time to dispel the myth that DK has some sort of issue with the commercial side of the business, this phrase is thrown around so lazily so let’s break it down…

1. Making decisions and then going back / adapting them - this is literally how every good business should operate these days. Feedback loops are rapid (social media) so it’s extremely easy to test sentiment and adapt decisions accordingly. Having the humility to put something out there and then change it is the sign of a good leader who is responsive to the needs of their customers.

2. The away shirt is delayed - the impact of the away shirt being delayed means people have more time to buy the home shirt. This means more people wil buy the home shirt (see this seasons record sales) we live in an ‘I want it now’ society (cheers amazon) customers who would historically have bought either home or away now buy both because they don’t want to wait, again smart. Create demand, sell more shirts.

3. Infrastructure - the infrastructure at our club is growing in quality, he is making smart investments in infrastructure which gives the club appeal and longevity, football is short termist in nature but a prudent commercial leader has a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, Doug is doing both.

4. Playing assets - we have done extremely shrewd business on 2 huge assets gyok and hamer which in all likelihood will pay out twice, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Our previous owners categorically would not have done this.

Ticket sales never been higher, best side we’ve had in years, improved food and beverage deals, great infrastructure the list goes on.

Just because a few middle aged men have to wait 2 weeks to buy their shirt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the commercial side of the club

(Caveat: I will concede that king of shaves last year was likely a fumble, everyone gets 1 decision wrong)

Thanks for coming to my ted talk


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Ok, thanks Doug.

 

[ms639]

Ok, thanks Doug.

No probs shagger


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[Nick]

Not really, if you read the title of the thread it’s about people claiming DK is running commercial aspects of the club poorly, because you’ve decided to hone in on one very niche area is your decision.


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I mean, I'm talking about the commercial department.

Its hardly niche in a thread about how the commercial side of the club is run.

Maybe next we can talk about the food the social media team cook at ryton or how the ticket office sort the grass?

 

[Boicey]

I think it’s finally time to dispel the myth that DK has some sort of issue with the commercial side of the business, this phrase is thrown around so lazily so let’s break it down…

1. Making decisions and then going back / adapting them - this is literally how every good business should operate these days. Feedback loops are rapid (social media) so it’s extremely easy to test sentiment and adapt decisions accordingly. Having the humility to put something out there and then change it is the sign of a good leader who is responsive to the needs of their customers.

2. The away shirt is delayed - the impact of the away shirt being delayed means people have more time to buy the home shirt. This means more people wil buy the home shirt (see this seasons record sales) we live in an ‘I want it now’ society (cheers amazon) customers who would historically have bought either home or away now buy both because they don’t want to wait, again smart. Create demand, sell more shirts.

3. Infrastructure - the infrastructure at our club is growing in quality, he is making smart investments in infrastructure which gives the club appeal and longevity, football is short termist in nature but a prudent commercial leader has a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, Doug is doing both.

4. Playing assets - we have done extremely shrewd business on 2 huge assets gyok and hamer which in all likelihood will pay out twice, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Our previous owners categorically would not have done this.

Ticket sales never been higher, best side we’ve had in years, improved food and beverage deals, great infrastructure the list goes on.

Just because a few middle aged men have to wait 2 weeks to buy their shirt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the commercial side of the club

(Caveat: I will concede that king of shaves last year was likely a fumble, everyone gets 1 decision wrong)

Thanks for coming to my ted talk


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Quite a generous view.
1. You'd be better off properly consulting with stakeholders, including fan reps before making some of the mistakes he's made (due to inexperience in football probably).
2. I very much doubt there was a deliberate plan to delay away shirts to stimulate sales. We are Coventry city not Real Madrid.
3. Youre not being specific there. Ryton is certainly better and some reorganisation of management. Credit due but I'd be disappointed in less. 'Great infrastructure' is pushing it a bit.
4. He was lucky to inherit Gok and Hamer and got good money for them. Credit due. And I like 'lucky'.
We did worse last year than the year before. We'll see how this year's goes before saying how great the side is. Certainly MR has had a very good warchest which clearly wouldn't have happened under the scummers.

 

[ms639]

I mean, I'm talking about the commercial department.

Its hardly niche in a thread about how the commercial side of the club is run.

Maybe next we can talk about the food the social media team cook at ryton or how the ticket office sort the grass?

You’re talking about an extremely specific use case amongst one area that the commercial department runs, your fixation on how that means the club isn’t operating well commercially is bizarre.

My post was on the myth that Doug King somehow is not running the club well commercially.

Your assertion that player sales isn’t a commercial activity is also odd.

I’m sorry you can’t sponsor your shirt, I’m sure it’ll all be worth it when you see your name in the programme fella


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[chiefdave]

Think people have to stop thinking of the commercial side of the club as one person. We've recruited a head of retail and the retail experience has improved. Is it perfect, of course not but its undeniably better than it was.

Suspect that in other areas of the commercial operation existing staff have been told to get their act together and that the way things were run is not the way things will be run moving forward.

I mean that's literally the commercial part of the clubs job.

Its not a bit of a pain. Its a week into the season and impossible to do.

You're right. It might only be a couple of hundred quid but it's wrong to just think "ah it's fuck all, forget about it"

Are you dealing with Rebecca Shortland? Weirdly when things were being run on a shoestring she was singled out on here as someone who was responsive and got things done so slightly odd now its a bigger team that she would be unresponsive.

 

[Nick]

You’re talking about an extremely specific use case amongst one area that the commercial department runs, your fixation on how that means the club isn’t operating well commercially is bizarre.

My post was on the myth that Doug King somehow is not running the club well commercially.

Your assertion that player sales isn’t a commercial activity is also odd.

I’m sorry you can’t sponsor your shirt, I’m sure it’ll all be worth it when you see your name in the programme fella


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Yes, the commercial department aren't buying and selling players.

Best bit is that it wouldn't be my name in the programme and the signed shirt would go to charity

Again, this is a very weird thread. "I want to say how the commercial side is amazing but you can't discuss the actual commercial department"

 

[Nick]

Think people have to stop thinking of the commercial side of the club as one person. We've recruited a head of retail and the retail experience has improved. Is it perfect, of course not but its undeniably better than it was.

Suspect that in other areas of the commercial operation existing staff have been told to get their act together and that the way things were run is not the way things will be run moving forward.


Are you dealing with Rebecca Shortland? Weirdly when things were being run on a shoestring she was singled out on here as someone who was responsive and got things done so slightly odd now its a bigger team that she would be unresponsive.

Oh I'm not saying who it is but I very much doubt that the person emailing is the one making the decisions on pricing etc so it would be very unfair on them. They have been chasing things too.

Would be like picking on somebody on a checkout over a price.

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

I think he's come in and looked to change a hell of a lot (quite rightly) in a short period of time. Some of that is going well but there are others that i think have some way to go. I can't believe that going into the season with no away kit announced is some sort of commercial masterstroke and suggests there may be some wrinkles to sort out in that area still.

I also think the mascot packages approach was poor, it might make the club more money (which some will say is absolutely fine) but it felt pretty cynical to me and risks annoying a good chunk of the support.

None of the above is a huge issue to be clear, the general running of the club is so much improved on years gone by, I am just saying there's improvements to make still.

 

[ms639]

Yes, the commercial department aren't buying and selling players.

Best bit is that it wouldn't be my name in the programme and the signed shirt would go to charity

Again, this is a very weird thread. "I want to say how the commercial side is amazing but you can't discuss the actual commercial department"

No idea how this can be said any clearer so will give up after this.

All I’m saying is of all the commercial activities that the club undertake which yes absolutely includes player sales is generally running well.

Your example of the shirt sponsorship may be a ‘failing’ but it’s insignificant.

You’re conflating our commercial activities overall (which is literally an umbrella term for anything that makes us money or costs us money - revenue or investment) with a very specific department within the club.


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[clint van damme]

I think it’s finally time to dispel the myth that DK has some sort of issue with the commercial side of the business, this phrase is thrown around so lazily so let’s break it down…

1. Making decisions and then going back / adapting them - this is literally how every good business should operate these days. Feedback loops are rapid (social media) so it’s extremely easy to test sentiment and adapt decisions accordingly. Having the humility to put something out there and then change it is the sign of a good leader who is responsive to the needs of their customers.

2. The away shirt is delayed - the impact of the away shirt being delayed means people have more time to buy the home shirt. This means more people wil buy the home shirt (see this seasons record sales) we live in an ‘I want it now’ society (cheers amazon) customers who would historically have bought either home or away now buy both because they don’t want to wait, again smart. Create demand, sell more shirts.

3. Infrastructure - the infrastructure at our club is growing in quality, he is making smart investments in infrastructure which gives the club appeal and longevity, football is short termist in nature but a prudent commercial leader has a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, Doug is doing both.

4. Playing assets - we have done extremely shrewd business on 2 huge assets gyok and hamer which in all likelihood will pay out twice, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Our previous owners categorically would not have done this.

Ticket sales never been higher, best side we’ve had in years, improved food and beverage deals, great infrastructure the list goes on.

Just because a few middle aged men have to wait 2 weeks to buy their shirt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the commercial side of the club

(Caveat: I will concede that king of shaves last year was likely a fumble, everyone gets 1 decision wrong)

Thanks for coming to my ted talk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is that you king of shaves?!

 

[Nick]

No idea how this can be said any clearer so will give up after this.

All I’m saying is of all the commercial activities that the club undertake which yes absolutely includes player sales is generally running well.

Your example of the shirt sponsorship may be a ‘failing’ but it’s insignificant.

You’re conflating our commercial activities overall (which is literally an umbrella term for anything that makes us money or costs us money - revenue or surelyinvestment) with a very specific department within the club.


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Its not me conflating it.

Its even hard to judge all of that anyway until the accounts come out, surely?

 

[ms639]

Is that you king of shaves?!

Reporting for duty, need a new razor lad? 🫡


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[SkyBlueBarmy84]

It’s hardly a myth: DK himself openly acknowledged that the commercial side of the business isn’t where it needs to be in his fan letter a few weeks back…

“Given the speed of change at the Club and prioritising particular needs first, it is clear that other areas have been left behind and are under resourced and need more dynamic change, quality, focus and support. We are investing in external third party reviews of such areas and I will also be personally shifting my attention to those areas in the coming months as we look to set up a Club that functions at the higher level needed to support the jump in revenues and facilitate the further growth that we need to make our Club successful and sustainable.”

 

[Cally Fedora]

I think he’s done very well. But could do better. There’s always room for improvement.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I think it’s finally time to dispel the myth that DK has some sort of issue with the commercial side of the business, this phrase is thrown around so lazily so let’s break it down…

1. Making decisions and then going back / adapting them - this is literally how every good business should operate these days. Feedback loops are rapid (social media) so it’s extremely easy to test sentiment and adapt decisions accordingly. Having the humility to put something out there and then change it is the sign of a good leader who is responsive to the needs of their customers.

2. The away shirt is delayed - the impact of the away shirt being delayed means people have more time to buy the home shirt. This means more people wil buy the home shirt (see this seasons record sales) we live in an ‘I want it now’ society (cheers amazon) customers who would historically have bought either home or away now buy both because they don’t want to wait, again smart. Create demand, sell more shirts.

3. Infrastructure - the infrastructure at our club is growing in quality, he is making smart investments in infrastructure which gives the club appeal and longevity, football is short termist in nature but a prudent commercial leader has a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, Doug is doing both.

4. Playing assets - we have done extremely shrewd business on 2 huge assets gyok and hamer which in all likelihood will pay out twice, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Our previous owners categorically would not have done this.

Ticket sales never been higher, best side we’ve had in years, improved food and beverage deals, great infrastructure the list goes on.

Just because a few middle aged men have to wait 2 weeks to buy their shirt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the commercial side of the club

(Caveat: I will concede that king of shaves last year was likely a fumble, everyone gets 1 decision wrong)

Thanks for coming to my ted talk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: point 1.

It depends on what it is they're doing. Some of the stuff that has happened, especially regarding kids and JSB's, pretty much everyone knew immediately they were stupid and counter-productive things to do. That DK/commercial team didn't realise this indicates they don't understand their customer base. As someone said just a slight bit of consulting would have shown them what a massive own goal they were.

But I don't think that's the case. I think it's DK literally trying it on in the outside hope he can get away with it. Then quickly changing it back when there is pushback and issuing, IMO, insulting insincere apologies.

I don't think this will be the last time we'll see those kind of things tried and he's hoping if he keeps poking often enough people will jut give up resisting.

 

[Hobo]

Trying to give the club money to sponsor a player's shirt, a week into the season and I'm the one having to chase. Still don't even know the price.

Yeah I know it's only a couple of hundred quid as opposed to hundreds of thousands but even so. Its not hard.

If I was doing it purely for business and not because I supphave moved on and sponsored local small teams instead.

But Doug doesn't work in every department and can't change everything overnight. However he has stated he is getting some independent analysis done on other parts of the business. Which well maybe the commercial and retail side. Independent expert analysis is a clever move as it makes it harder for anyone dragging their heels to get on board with change to argue against it.

 

[hill83]

Trying to give the club money to sponsor a player's shirt, a week into the season and I'm the one having to chase. Still don't even know the price.

Yeah I know it's only a couple of hundred quid as opposed to hundreds of thousands but even so. Its not hard.

If I was doing it purely for business and not because I support the club id have moved on and sponsored local small teams instead.

Maybe someone from the club reads the forum and the blatant racism that’s allowed to stand and knows you run it.

For balance of course.

 

[mmttww]

Maybe someone from the club reads the forum and the blatant racism that’s allowed to stand and knows you run it.

 

[robbiekeane]

I mean, I'm talking about the commercial department.

You’re talking about one specific part of the club staff that calls themselves the commercial department (isn’t that like tynan and Rebecca).

OP is talking about Doug Kings entire commercial dealings

not sure why that’s so hard to understand

 

[Nick]

Maybe someone from the club reads the forum and the blatant racism that’s allowed to stand and knows you run it.

For balance of course.

Yeah it must be that. Best off trying with a fake name to see.

 

[ms639]

You’re talking about one specific part of the club staff that calls themselves the commercial department (isn’t that like tynan and Rebecca).

OP is talking about Doug Kings entire commercial dealings

not sure why that’s so hard to understand

Don’t tell him that he’s focussing on something specific, he doesn’t get it


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