Open training miscommunication - another MFC unforced error

[Je Roos Salem 661]

It could be just the lack of confidence to run one of these family training days due to the location and our lack of a home base. Even if we're not considering it our long-term spot, I think there should be some sort of Melbourne signage around Gosch's paddock

[KingDingAling 3,737]

Even an ultimate troll like myself cannot defend the club over this one.
The masses have been quite vocal about this issue of late.

I don't go to training, I live as a country hick, but even I'm aware not all is happy amongst fans.

MFC needs to lift it's game in this area, I find this extremely distressing.

[bing181 8,908]

Anyone who contacted the club get a reply?

Curious why it was moved till 1 pm at all, given the circumstances and prior announcement.

[nutbean 8,838]

The disappointing thing is it is not that hard to get this right.

So much bad will over something that seriously did not need to happen.

( I have always said - if you are going to get your butt kicked for doing something wrong - make it something big. There is nothing worse than copping a hammering for something that could have so easily been averted)

[Pates 9,625]

The people that are calling this an overreaction clearly don't get it. There was a bloody good crowd, I was really happy for the club, they had finally managed to advertise and promote something to get people out to it. The images of the kids running with Howe were hilarious, and it was a great atmosphere.

I suspected it was a footy department decision to push the training back, and I understand they are the ones out there under pressure, but the time being shifted is only one part of this massive blunder.

- No membership tent: if they at least had a membership tents they could have signed people while they were waiting, particularly the kids that trying to decide. They could've also had the likes of Trenners and Tracca in there as well to chat to them.

- No merchandise tent: again, while people were waiting they could've bought caps, tops, scarfs etc and they could've had sharpie pens available as well so kids could get autographs.

- Terrible communication: Twitter.....are you kidding me? That's all they think people need to get the information out. Email, Official Website, Facebook, SMS (I always get my membership payment SMS), and when that's all said and done they should've had someone from the club, or even better a former player or two out there explaining what's happened and running a few drills/games with kids and/or getting photos with them.

I have emailed the club, and to me I'm not the main issue. The fact that I left is just a frustration for me. It drives me nuts that we had a real opportunity to engage with the younger fans and get them pumped for the season, and they totally blew it.

And also just on it being a footy department decision, part me actually thinks the business part of the club should've said too bad. I know the footy is the no 1 priority, but there are times the club actually needs to put PR and fan engagement first. The time was already later that usual, what was so important that it needed that extra hour that was decided that morning?

[BrisbaneDemon 1,559]

The people that are calling this an overreaction clearly don't get it. There was a bloody good crowd, I was really happy for the club, they had finally managed to advertise and promote something to get people out to it. The images of the kids running with Howe were hilarious, and it was a great atmosphere.

I suspected it was a footy department decision to push the training back, and I understand they are the ones out there under pressure, but the time being shifted is only one part of this massive blunder.

- No membership tent: if they at least had a membership tents they could have signed people while they were waiting, particularly the kids that trying to decide. They could've also had the likes of Trenners and Tracca in there as well to chat to them.

- No merchandise tent: again, while people were waiting they could've bought caps, tops, scarfs etc and they could've had sharpie pens available as well so kids could get autographs.

- Terrible communication: Twitter.....are you kidding me? That's all they think people need to get the information out. Email, Official Website, Facebook, SMS (I always get my membership payment SMS), and when that's all said and done they should've had someone from the club, or even better a former player or two out there explaining what's happened and running a few drills/games with kids and/or getting photos with them.

I have emailed the club, and to me I'm not the main issue. The fact that I left is just a frustration for me. It drives me nuts that we had a real opportunity to engage with the younger fans and get them pumped for the season, and they totally blew it.

And also just on it being a footy department decision, part me actually thinks the business part of the club should've said too bad. I know the footy is the no 1 priority, but there are times the club actually needs to put PR and fan engagement first. The time was already later that usual, what was so important that it needed that extra hour that was decided that morning?

Great post mate, it sounds like it truly was Amateur hour. For people saying we're over reacting its really not. for those of us that run business these and the non negotiable's. It doesnt take that much more effort and preparation to get it right the first time. Hopefully everyone has written in and it makes the footy club serious question their PR and fan engagement. We're trying to rebuild our brand, its not the end of the world what happen yesterday but its making the climb tougher then it needs to be.

[Wrecker45 3,378]

I am normally in the over reaction crowd and think Demonland posters blow these sought of things out of proportion but yesterday was bad. I went with my wife, sister and daughter and we all left before the main group came out. The vast majority of the crowd looked to be staying but there would be a bad taste left in their mouths.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

Does anyone know why the postponement happened? Or is that an in-FD matter?

[Pates 9,625]

It's great that people volunteer their time but the sausage sizzle was a shambles. They needed to rush out to buy more sausages, and the people managing it were clueless. It was just sausages and bread: why not just pre-make them so people can grab and pay? The ladies looked at me like as if they wanted to take my intricately detailed order: yeah, I want 4 sausages, How'd you guess? On top of that, they ran out of cans of drinks, and there was no mustard or sauce left. Waited 30 minutes for dried sausages in bread. Never seen so many people have to line up for so long for a sausage! Except maybe during the Mardi Gras broadcast!

I won't be too critical of the BBQ gang. It's a volunteer group who gave up their time to do this and raise funds so the cheer squad looks the part for the year. I can only imagine they underestimated how many people would be there. They can learn from this for next year (or future such events) just as the MFC should as well. Mistakes are ok if you learn from them, I have more confidence in the Demon Army learning from this event than the club.

I think the problem was with absolutely nothing happening, and the smell of the BBQ going on there wasn't much else for people to do.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Pates

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

The no merchandising or membership sales thing is mistifyin. You've got a bunch of die hard supporters out there, itching to give the club money. What a pathetic missed opportunity.

[beelzebub 23,197]

The no merchandising or membership sales thing is mistifyin. You've got a bunch of die hard supporters out there, itching to give the club money. What a pathetic missed opportunity.

Business 101 >>>> epic fail !!

[Moonshadow 17,471]

Anyone who contacted the club get a reply?

Curious why it was moved till 1 pm at all, given the circumstances and prior announcement.

Emailed my disappointment to the club. Tried to be constructive. I don't mind not getting a reply as long as they take the feedback onboard. Strange why it was moved 1 hour, little enough time to have kept it at 12.00 I would have thought, but just long enough to annoy fans.

[DubDee 24,326]

Im hearing people say "not everyone has twitter" as if most people do and its only the oldies that don't?

im in my mid thirties and I dont have a twitter account (as I dont care to know what xx celebrity had for breakfast). nearly all my mates are the same so using this as the main way to communicate anything to members is ridiculous

[Deeoldfart 7,993]

I am normally in the over reaction crowd and think Demonland posters blow these sought of things out of proportion but yesterday was bad. I went with my wife, sister and daughter and we all left before the main group came out. The vast majority of the crowd looked to be staying but there would be a bad taste left in their mouths.

I agree Wrecker. Like you, I'm normally in what you describe as the 'over reaction crowd', and yesterday I thought I could see yet another training thread being derailed by what I thought at the time was an overreaction to a relatively minor irritation. Now, having read both threads more closely, I can understand the disappointment and even anger that this issue has generated. My opinion has been swayed by the strength of feeling shown on Demonland, including from quite a few posters whose views I strongly respect. Clearly there is an underlying issue here which our Club needs to remedy. Let's hope they get the message and do so promptly.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I can't believe it still hasn't been explained what the actual delay was caused by in the first place

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

What could cause the entire group of about 70 people inc staff to be delayed over an hour?

What could possibly justify a decision to postpone when they KNOW there are thousands of people waiting for them?

There may be a reasonable explanation but I'm staggered it has not even been offered to us

The fact the club seems to be doing ZERO to address what is obviously a lot of supporter outrage is now annoying me as much as the incident itself

Very, very, very ordinary MFC

[Ted Lasso 18,766]

Standing next to me was a lady and her three kids and because of the change of time they had to leave during the warm up as the lady was running late for something, the three boys were devastated they didn't get to see Jack Viney and Jack Watts, it's really dissapointing from a club that's trying to rebuild trust and respect, i would be surprised if she comes back to training again.

[Moonshadow 17,471]

Got a reply from Jane McGough, manager of consumer business. Said the reason for the 1 hour shift was purely a mix up of times between the communications staff and the FD about when they would be out on the park. She offered an unreserved apology. As long as they learn, I'm happy to leave it at that.

[Slartibartfast 16,870]

The club makes some silly mistakes. This is one, the failure to provide any services at the intraclub at Casey was another. A third was after the Giants game last year when a Player Sponsor function was held at AAMI after the game.

It was a dreadful day at the footy and the weather was bitter. We headed over to the function which was in the café next to the footy department. Everyone was disappointed with the day and to make matters worse when we got there the door to the café was locked and a couple of MFC staff were sitting at one of the tables. We knocked on the door seeking some shelter from the weather only to be told the function started in 20 minutes and we couldn't come in.

Thankfully after 10 minutes or so of agitating sanity prevailed and we were let in. It was such a simple thing done so poorly.

The MFC really should come on here an explain and apologize. We'll forgive them, everyone makes mistakes, but just ignoring it heightens the aggravation that I reckon is totally justified.

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

everyone should boycott family day and roll up at 11am and force our way through the gates!! yeaaaahhhhhh!

[beelzebub 23,197]

Got a reply from Jane McGough, manager of consumer business. Said the reason for the 1 hour shift was purely a mix up of times between the communications staff and the FD about when they would be out on the park. She offered an unreserved apology. As long as they learn, I'm happy to leave it at that.

oh....was just a 'mix up"

thats laughable. and I probably suggest a bit of a fib.

They'd be promoting it for how long? ..and somehow it just all got mixed up?? I doubt it....STUFFED up yes !!!

[Demonland 70,251]

I received the following from the club to pass on to everyone:

The Club wishes to apologise for the training time error on Monday 9 March.

The Club was eager to create a Public Holiday training session for our members and supporters to enjoy. Communication staff believed training was to commence at 12noon as per the time listed in the Club’s training calendar. Staff however overlooked the fact that the start time in the training calendar allowed for an hour of pre training preparation. This was an error on our behalf and we unreservedly apologise for that and for the inconvenience caused to those who arrived at the advertised time.

A football staff member noticed the promoted time at approximately 10am and notified communication staff that the players would not actually hit the track until at least 1pm. At this time, all communication channels (Twitter, Facebook, instagram) were updated to reflect the actual start time were updated. In addition, Club staff contacted the Demon Army, who planned to attend in large numbers, to advise them of the change.

Today, Club staff will seek to contact all those who contacted the Club about the communication error, especially those with kids, to provide them with another opportunity to engage with the club.

I would like to reinforce how sorry the Club is to have put our members and supporters out.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Watt – General Manager, Marketing and Communications | Membership Number 10305049

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

on FB - We wish to apologise for the training time error yesterday (Monday 9 March.)

The Club was eager to create a Public Holiday training session for our members and supporters to enjoy. Communication staff believed training was to commence at 12noon as per the time listed in the Club’s training calendar. Staff however overlooked the fact that the start time in the training calendar allowed for an hour of pre-training preparation. This was an error on our behalf and we unreservedly apologise for that and for the inconvenience caused to those who arrived at the advertised time.
A football staff member noticed the promoted time at approximately 10am and notified communication staff that the players would not actually hit the track until at least 1pm. At this time, social media communication channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) were updated to reflect the actual start time were updated. In addition, Club staff contacted the Demon Army, who planned to attend in large numbers, to advise them of the change.
Today, Club staff will seek to contact all those who contacted the Club about the communication error, especially those with kids, to provide you with another opportunity to engage with the club.
We would like to reinforce how sorry the Club is to have put our members and supporters out.
If you have further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us either via direct message, or by emailing [email protected].
Thank you.

[rjay 24,577]

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....

[SaberFang 7,151]

The frustration has stemmed from more than just the 90 minute delay. The totally half arsed approach by all aspects of our clubs PR department have once again been highlighted.

[old dee 23,486]

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....

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