Open training miscommunication - another MFC unforced error

[Pates 9,660]

Glad to see the club responded, this is a silly mistake to make but they must learn from it.

As we have noted though the time stuff up was one part of it, I hope they also take on board the views that there needed to be more in terms of membership and merchandise.

Edited March 10, 2015 by Pates

[bluey 1,102]

The snags are cooked up by volunteers, huge job to lump all the merch over to the paddock on a public holiday, double time and a half, not enough volunteers to [censored] memberships I suggest, place is run on a shoestring, nothing will improve until they can manage to win the odd game and gather some momentum, until then I don't expect more than I am receiving, which is nothing much.

[Slartibartfast 17,272]

The club stuffed up, they know it and have apologized.

Time to move on and thanks to Jenn Watts who is a terrific person and takes her role very seriously. She'd be genuinely upset.

[What 18,810]

Ok the club has apologized, they will,learn from it,

You can all stop sooking now.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Glad to see the club responded, this is a silly mistake to make but they must learn from it.

As we have noted though the time stuff up was one part of it, I hope they also take on board the views that there needed to be more in terms of membership and merchandise.

The snags are cooked up by volunteers, huge job to lump all the merch over to the paddock on a public holiday, double time and a half, not enough volunteers to [censored] memberships I suggest, place is run on a shoestring, nothing will improve until they can manage to win the odd game and gather some momentum, until then I don't expect more than I am receiving, which is nothing much.

And any others, if you have any spare time, the Club is always on the look out for volunteers for various activities, so give them a bell if you do

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Did they have a weights session (or something) beforehand that went crazy over the expected timeframe?

This. Apparently 40 odd players, 10 coaches and a group of club staff trying to rip Jesse Hogan off the bench press.

Edited March 10, 2015 by Forest Demon

[Jaded No More 68,915]

Communication errors occur in all organisations, especially large ones, especially ones with a large number of departments who work independently.

It's unfortunate, but it happens. It's not the end of the world, and the only thing I would say is that the club should have sent out an email regarding the change of time, as most people have a smart phone that will send them the email notification, even if they didn't bother checking (or don't have access to) Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.

[Emerald 1,744]

I went there by myself and wasn't in a rush to get home so I personally wasn't bothered by the delay.I did go there intending to buy a membership for the first time since the 90's as I thought at an event like this that a membership tent was a given.A lot has been said about the kids missing out but where I was standing by the fence there were quite a few elderly supporters that had to stand there for 90 minutes before the training started.During the training I had to sit down because my feet were tired so it must of been much worse for them.I'll try and be positive and hope the club learn from this mistake and treat their supporters better at future events.Despite the negatives I did see a lot of happy people there yesterday enjoying the atmosphere on a beautiful sunny day.

[beelzebub 23,368]

That may well be rjay but why no membership or merchandise sales tents?

just part of the'mix up ' OD

[Cranky Franky 2,058]

These communications glitches are often a marker of the difference between the successful Clubs & the ones down the bottom. Generally the Club has improved in this area. I can remember in the mid 90's they would invariably stuff up the memberships. I recall about 12 years ago ringing up wanting to donate $$ to the Club and being told to ring the next day because the person that sorted donations out was away.

[beelzebub 23,368]

The snags are cooked up by volunteers, huge job to lump all the merch over to the paddock on a public holiday, double time and a half, not enough volunteers to [censored] memberships I suggest, place is run on a shoestring, nothing will improve until they can manage to win the odd game and gather some momentum, until then I don't expect more than I am receiving, which is nothing much.

This exactly how amateurs view things.

Its a business... run it like a business. I know other clubs mange to get their gazebos and marketing stuff out. What club in its right mind would forego a chance to sell memberships, ESPECIALLY one running a campaign to get to 35k before round 1 !!!

You want to be a success....well you dress like youre a success... You take on the mindset of "being successful"

This isnt a suburban footy club.. Its a multi-million dollar AFL one.

if you cant get the simple things right ..........

[DeeSpencer 25,688]

I suggest the communication staff better improve the internal communications at the club.

Also this may be a problem with having the admin & fd in different locations....

Excusable in 1930's maybe when the telegram might not have got through. But in this day and age it only takes an email or phone call.

Ms Watt and Mr Mahoney should be in frequent communication to make sure that the footy department are aware of consumer relations and vice versa.

Anyway, I certainly appreciate the open and honest apology. It's enough for me for now.

[hardtack 10,537]

Well, I'm happy with the club now...

I called them asking if I was to purchase a Demons jumper from the online store, whether they would be able to get it signed by the players so that I could give it to my son for his 13th birthday and we could pick it up on match day; this was because we won't get down from Sydney in time to attend any training sessions. The girl I was speaking to (Ally) asked who his favourite player was, to which I had to answer Mitch Clark. After a polite chuckle she asked me who his favourite current MFC player is, to which I answered Col Garland followed closely by Nathan Jones.

She to took my mobile number and said she would find out what they could do and call me back later.

Well, she did call me back not too much later (maybe half an hour or so) and informed me that they would be happy to organise a jumper and get it signed by the players (looks like it will be more than just Col) and have it in the post to me later today (so we should receive it in the next couple of days)... all at no cost to me.

So well done MFC and more particularly well done Ally!!

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Good on the club for issuing an explanation, just a communications [censored] up, seen those start wars, put in another thread that when we found out said to my lady "this should be worth five or six pages, if not a whole topic on Demonland"

As for the Merch/Membershi, with money being tight and lot of it being spent by Footy Dept, which it should be, the merch and membership paraphernalia has to be transported to Goschs at a cost, they have to hire a marquee/tent and tables, at a cost again, they need staff to work on a Public Holiday, at a cost, for a couple of hours and a few hundred, assume this was all looked at

We had Nev Jetta checking his phone when we bumped into him on Swan St at 11.45 to make sure he hadn't cocked up.

Players had to report to AAMI at 12 for training prep, this involves, massage, strapping, meeting, so assume on the Training Calendar whoever looked at the timing saw the same thing and assumed this meant when training would start

As you know I have attended most trainings, haven't seen one with the players on the ground at the advertised time

Edited March 10, 2015 by The Devil Inside

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Good on the club for issuing an explanation, just a communications [censored] up, seen those start wars, put in another thread that when we found out said to my lady "this should be worth five or six pages, if not a whole topic on Demonland"

Forgive us, yet again, for wanting to discuss something on a public forum.... which is here so we can discuss things. If the club stuffs up we will talk about it, predicting the above certainly doesn't make you Nostradamus no matter how much you want it to.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Forgive us, yet again, for wanting to discuss something on a public forum.... which is here so we can discuss things. If the club stuffs up we will talk about it, predicting the above certainly doesn't make you Nostradamus no matter how much you want it to.

I don't usually read your waffle, but I assume you have been selectively reading again, I have been encouraging posters who had an issue with yesterday to communicate their displeasure to the club, which they have and we have had an explanation and apology from the Club, I just knew what would occur being a Demonlander myself

There you go chap a justification, now back in your box

Edited March 10, 2015 by The Devil Inside

[beelzebub 23,368]

Good on the club for issuing an explanation, Bloody big of them huh !! Its not a favour.... ITS A REQUIREMENT

just a communications [censored] up Yeah...Never mind...cant seem to get ppl to turn up at the same time.. Probably requires NASA I'd suspect,

seen those start wars, put in another thread that when we found out said to my lady "this should be worth five or six pages, if not a whole topic on Demonland"...arent you the clever glogs!!

As for the Merch/Membershi, with money being tight and lot of it being spent by Footy Dept, which it should be, the merch and membership paraphernalia has to be transported to Goschs at a cost, they have to hire a marquee/tent and tables, at a cost again, they need staff to work on a Public Holiday, at a cost, for a couple of hours and a few hundred, assume this was all looked at

Oh please...give me a break.. My wife and I set up markets every bloody week..its not hard. Take a couple of ppl on day rates.. get with it.. Just making excuses for them arent you..seriously.

We had Nev Jetta checking his phone when we bumped into him on Swan St at 11.45 to make sure he hadn't cocked up.

Players had to report to AAMI at 12 for training prep, this involves, massage, strapping, meeting, so assume on the Training Calendar whoever looked at the timing saw the same thing and assumed this meant when training would start

As you know I have attended most trainings, haven't seen one with the players on the ground at the advertised time. Maybe they ought to

And how hard would it have been really to get everyone there at the same hour ? No excuse. Not today. They KNOW they have to do all that, its not like its a surprise is it.

TDI.. I know you love the club, we all do. But this wasnt differential equation describing the trajectory of a descending lunar craft. its was getting a bunch of people to a park on time.. Funny...the public got there !!...just saying

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Good on the club for issuing an explanation, Bloody big of them huh !! Its not a favour.... ITS A REQUIREMENT

just a communications [censored] up Yeah...Never mind...cant seem to get ppl to turn up at the same time.. Probably requires NASA I'd suspect,

seen those start wars, put in another thread that when we found out said to my lady "this should be worth five or six pages, if not a whole topic on Demonland"...arent you the clever glogs!!

As for the Merch/Membershi, with money being tight and lot of it being spent by Footy Dept, which it should be, the merch and membership paraphernalia has to be transported to Goschs at a cost, they have to hire a marquee/tent and tables, at a cost again, they need staff to work on a Public Holiday, at a cost, for a couple of hours and a few hundred, assume this was all looked at

Oh please...give me a break.. My wife and I set up markets every bloody week..its not hard. Take a couple of ppl on day rates.. get with it.. Just making excuses for them arent you..seriously.

We had Nev Jetta checking his phone when we bumped into him on Swan St at 11.45 to make sure he hadn't cocked up.

Players had to report to AAMI at 12 for training prep, this involves, massage, strapping, meeting, so assume on the Training Calendar whoever looked at the timing saw the same thing and assumed this meant when training would start

As you know I have attended most trainings, haven't seen one with the players on the ground at the advertised time. Maybe they ought to

And how hard would it have been really to get everyone there at the same hour ? No excuse. Not today. They KNOW they have to do all that, its not like its a surprise is it.

TDI.. I know you love the club, we all do. But this wasnt differential equation describing the trajectory of a descending lunar craft. its was getting a bunch of people to a park on time.. Funny...the public got there !!...just saying

Did you actually go? Even if you didn't I am sure the Club would be interested in your feedback

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I don't usually read your waffle, but I assume you have been selectively reading again, I have been encouraging posters who had an issue with yesterday to communicate their displeasure to the club, which they have and we have had an explanation and apology from the Club, I just knew what would occur being a Demonlander myself

There you go chap a justification, now back in your box

Great, you knew what would occur and had a riveting discussion with your wife about it. I fail to see the relevance. Regardless of contacting the club we will still discuss the issue and that's why Demonland is here - to discuss the issues, both positive and negative, around the club.

Most threads reach the 5-6 page barrier anyway so it's not as if this one is any different to the rest.

[binman 42,932]

Good on the person from the club who made the effort to let Demonland (and facebook) know the reason for the mix up with times and offer their sincere apologies. Good work.

But i reckon the coms department should not wear this alone. As many have noted the timing issue (which was the focus of the apology) was only one element of the problem. The lack of merch, membership sales, organised activities and a properly resourced BBQ or in fact 2 or 3 BBQs (which should not have been left to the Demon Army - the club should have made it happen, ensured there was enough food etc, set up more than one bbq and gave any money raised to the Army) were also big problems. As was upon realisng they had a problem not making sure there was some activity or club spokesperson to let people at the ground know what was happening or as has been suggested organising some activities (eg kick to kick) to engage the fans that were there.

The admin should accept their share of responsibility, including PJ. Down play it all you like but this is a stuff up. As i noted in the thread about the intra club game PJ trumpeted the new Strategic Plan and highlighted two key planks were reengaging with fans and increasing membership. Using the clubs stated goals as a reference point this is yet another fail in terms of yet another missed opportunity to engage with fans and increase membership. Put simply the admin (not the comms) should have made it work and allocated the appropriate resources. They didn't and instead allow their comms team to cop it.

TDI with all due respect if the reason they didn't at a minimum have a merch tent and membership sales (not to mention something as basic as a jumping castle) is the associated hassle and cost then this admin isn't as great as some believe as that sort of short term thinking is amateursville . Sell 100 memberships and that is covered. And that is only the short term. The club needs young members to survive let alone thrive. Opportunities such as this to engage with young fans and potential life long fans and members should be fully embraced and properly resourced, particularly if is one of their strategic objectives.

A poster on this thread noted that Richmond had a similar problem with mucking up advertised training times. His argument was that tiges fans didn't go off like those here on DL. Perhaps that's true, who knows, but it is instructive that his example was Richmond. A club like Melbourne that has struggled to get its act together off field and has been largely crap on field for best part of 2 decades. Does any one really think the Hawks (who now have the most members of any Victorian club - inconceivable 15 years ago and achieved on the back of brilliant fan engagement strategies) or the Pies would have, one stuffed things up so badly or two not maximised such as opportunity to engage with fans and increase their membership numbers?

Edited March 10, 2015 by binman

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Great, you knew what would occur and had a riveting discussion with your wife about it. I fail to see the relevance. Regardless of contacting the club we will still discuss the issue and that's why Demonland is here - to discuss the issues, both positive and negative, around the club.

Most threads reach the 5-6 page barrier anyway so it's not as if this one is any different to the rest.

This is Demonland, when has that ever mattered

[beelzebub 23,368]

Did you actually go? Even if you didn't I am sure the Club would be interested in your feedback

No I didn't. Was merchandising out of a gazebo. Cos its really hard to do.

As I have noted before. Had I known it was going to be a later start I might have gone for last hour as I knew some others were going.

Ive respectfully contacted club already, but thanks for the invite.

On another note...out of interest . Were all the sponsors signage there ?

[daisycutter 29,613]

nice of the club to apologize.

however i don't buy the excuse of a misunderstanding

this was advertised as a special fan event with catering at a particular time and on a public holiday so they could attract a good gathering

all good and admirable

but, it wasn't a misunderstanding, it was just [censored]-poor management and organising (and symptomatic of some previous exercises)

the club needs to understand what it was and fix it, not just excuse it

now i don't expect the club to come out and say all this, but i do expect that they will understand the real reasons and give someone a good kick up the rrr's

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Good on the person from the club who made the effort to let Demonland (and facebook) the reason for the mix up and offer their sincere apologies. Good work.

But i reckon the coms department should not wear this alone. As many have noted the timing issue (which was the focus of the apology) was only one element of the problem. The lack of merch, membership sales, organised activities and a properly resourced BBQ or in fact 2 or 3 BBQs (which should not have been left to the Demon Army - the club should have made it happen, ensured there was enough food etc, set up more than one bbq and gave any money raised to the Army) were also big problems. As was upon realisng they had a problem not making sure there was some activity or club spokesperson to let people at the ground to let people know what was happening or as has been suggested some organised activities (eg kick to kick) to engage the fans that were there.

The admin should accept their share of responsibility, including PJ. Down play it all you like but this is a stuff up. As i noted in the thread about the intra club game PJ trumpeted the new Strategic Plan and highlighted two key planks were reengaging with fans and increasing membership. Using the clubs stated goals as a reference point this is yet another fail in terms of yet another missed opportunity to engage with fans and increase membership. Put simply the admin (not the comms) should have made it work and allocated the appropriate resources. They didn't and instead allow their comms team to cop it.

TDI with all due respect if the reason they didn't at a minimum have a merch tent and membership sales (not to mention something as basic as jumping castle) is the associated hassle and cost then this admin isn't as great as some believe as that sort of short term thinking is amateursville . Sell 100 memberships and that is covered. And that is only the short term. The club needs young members to survive let alone thrive. Opportunities such as this to engage with young fans and potential life long fans and members should be fully embraced and properly resourced, particular if as i say it is one of their strategic directions.

A poster on this thread noted that Richmond had a similar problem with mucking up advertised training times. His argument was that tiges fans didn't go off like those here on DL. Perhaps that's true, who knows, but it is instructive that his example was Richmond. A club like Melbourne that has struggled to get its act together off field and has been largely crap on field for best part of 2 decades. Does any one really think the Hawks (who now have the most members of any Victorian club - inconceivable 15 years ago and achieved on the back of brilliant fan engagement strategies) or the Pies would have, one stuffed things up so badly or two not maximised such as opportunity to engage with fans and increase their membership numbers?

I actually know how much it costs.

And I am trying not to apologize for the club as some think I do, but look from the admin/membership team point of view, a game against Freo, engaging the WA supporters, daily membership renewals, players ringing around tonight, a game in Ballarat engaging the supporters there, Family Day.....I think they have had an interesting week or two, they are also trying to keep costs down and spend whatever 'extra' money we have on the footy dept which is where it should be spent

As other posters say 'just sayin'"

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

No I didn't. Was merchandising out of a gazebo. Cos its really hard to do.

As I have noted before. Had I known it was going to be a later start I might have gone for last hour as I knew some others were going.

Ive respectfully contacted club already, but thanks for the invite.

On another note...out of interest . Were all the sponsors signage there ?

Been explained before no, they are not allowed to advertise as part of the lease at Gosch's, unless you want legal action, and you help pay the costs