not hard to email, not hard to try and do the right thing by your members, in fact how about trying to think of ways to actually please your supporter base - it's not that hard, do everything right, we have to from now on because for way too long we/they have got away with doing too little and assuming our love for the club will accept mediocrity.

You don't know what happened anyway, don't pretend to. I don't recall saying that they need to phone 70,000 people.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

It seems like this argument reflects two very different types of supporters (and i'm not suggesting either type loves or supports the club any more or less than the other), but basically we have the type of supporter who will pursue getting their membership on their own. They see it as beneficial for acquiring match tickets, helping the club financially etc. They couldn't care less about emails or phone calls and marketing exercises, if they want a membership they'll just go out and get one! On the other hand there are those supporters who like to be won-over. Sure, a membership is benefical to them, but they'd also like to be appreciated by the club for their commitment.

I consider myself as someone in the first group, and as such a letter like this doesn't bother me even a little bit. However, i can see that there needs to be considerable improvement in the clubs membership dept. if they want to impress the people from the second group, and realistically, if membership is to grow, their ability to attract more people from the second group is going to be a significant reason for it.

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@cecil_anderson

How many people do you think they have on their books in total?

Would be well over 70,000. Would likely be as many likes as they have on Facebook (120k+) and then some.

I know for a fact that they call lapsed members each year for at least two years after they've failed to renew.

I can see that they are creeping slowly towards the exact strategies you are describing, but with a lot of daft people holding the cards and a lot of smart people holding out their hands for consultancy fees to trickle out strategies, it's going to take time without a comprehensive shake up.

Coutts should go, Jeannie should step away from the membership department and put in someone who has a legitimate strategy for the next 10 years to implement, but you have rocks in your head if you think they have time to do anything other than simulate personalised marketing.

And yeah I don't know exactly what happened, but it's barely a stretch in my guesswork. At least I'm trying to be constructive. All of this because of a generic letter sent out as a greeting to supporters...

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

You're good at this Doc. Seriously good.
I don't want to give you a big head or anything, but this isn't the first time.
I've been involved with plenty of Corporate Marketing Campaigns in my past for awareness, promotion...and there's a fair bit of work that goes into the final product...I thought I was a natural...but you...well Carlton needs you!! Serious. Quick, to the point, and quick turnaround.

I reckon you could come up with a message every day, but just once a week to supporters, adn I reckon you can move hearts and minds...when you're not kicking heads and sniping...Don't worry about the last bit of what I just said, because you are who you are...and thats' a good thing.

Hey Couttsy...you hear me?......I found your new boss...I mean assistant...don't be scared or feel insecure? If not, just get the Doc on board. He'll add value and get to the point...and create something original people will relate too. Try something NEW.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Don't know who told you that Jim...simply not true. Others who didn't renew this year might like to corroborate. I know there's a few on here who didn't renew, but I'm unaware if the club tried to contact them. They certainly didn't contact me. (yes...they have my number).

Saw it first hand with family members. No one told me.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Well I'm on the market bondi (but I don't do more than one year contracts)

We're still talking membership renewal strategies right?

Correct. Guess it's little bit more complicated than just who's lapsed and for how long if we're both right.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I didn't renew my nieces membership.

They didn't call me to ask why, and I know they have my number on her membership. They rang one day and asked to speak to her, as a 2 year old

I was happy my details on todays mailout showed my correct years as a member.

I'm cancelling my AFL membership at the end of this season. The club needs to impress me between now and March in order for me to buy a Captains Club membership for next season. That may require a phone call from them at some stage. Lets see what happens.

_________________
"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Excuse me for being naive, but what's so complex about a membership database?

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Antiquated software?

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Believe me...... I know their setup.

And for this multi-million dollar business in a multi-billion dollar industry, guess the size of its IT Department.....

Here's a hint. Bryce Gibbs had three times as many votes!

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

The only time I have been phoned by the club is by spruikers selling the $200 raffle tickets.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Me too.
I wonder why. I've been an annual sucker.
Shits me no end.


As for DBS talk, I understand yu Jimmae, antiquated stuff is anitiquated stuff and an Eskimo can't communicate perfectly with a Tasmanian, and I hear what mosche is saying about the clubs IT Dept too, and that's made my ears prick up. I'm facinated.

As long as we're improving, that's the main thing.
If we weren't and we are correcting the ship now, then we are heading in the right direction.
And if you know stuff that proves we veer the wrong way: "Keep the bastards honest".

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

You buy a membership to get a seat at a game .
Why should the club ring you if you dont want that seat
Better off selling it to someone who wants it
I cant understand this attitude the club has to kiss my arse otherwise I wont renew
Of course I am saying this from Sydney where it is pointless buying a full membership because I never get to games
If you want go to games buy a membership , if you dont then dont buy one because in the end it is a seat in a stadium

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

For network of PCs that would number maybe 100, how many in-house IT staff would you expect?

How many would you expect to operate at a well funded private school, where the numbers are even larger?

Do you have the faintest idea on what you're talking about, or are you just looking for something that smells like a dramatic example?

Like I said, ridiculous thread. How about someone posts a copy of the letter, and we go from there. That would be sensible.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Imo, its a poor reflection on the professionalism of the membership department.

Its not that Mick didn't write it - I dont think too many would have much of an issue with a ghost writer being used. However, it wouldnt be that hard to draft some original lines to be sent out - in fact, it would take about 5 minutes (if that).

The letter wasnt even drafted properly - just read as a quick cut and paste job of select quotes from his presser. At least credit the membership with some intelligence...

It was clear to everyone that Ratten never had the full support of the board/club during his time at the club. Given that, its not too surprising that many potential members wouldnt see any appeal in having Ratten coach the club...