[Revived Red]

Originally Posted by Tin Monkey

Well there's a position now (I'd assume) in terms of club shop and merchandising. I understand that the previous employee may have had their hands tied, but simply communicating with the customers isn't hard.

I'd like to see someone in a position of merchandising and club shop operations. Look carefully at the design of shirts (you'd sell more if they were attractive) and other merchandising options. I understand that the customer base for Stanley is relatively small, but numerous people have been calling out for training tops (as an example) to be available, which are the same as the players wear. We've never got those, just the same old tired lines of stuff, that aren't even that attractive anymore.

Employ someone who shows innovation and an ability to both spot gaps in the market and listen to customer demands. There are opportunities there, but sadly they've been missed time and again.

In addition to that, this person would need to be a decent communicator with the customers. Answer all emails promptly. Dispatch orders quickly and if items are out of stock, let the customers know!!
This person could also be responsible for daily updates to the website. A daily report on what's been happening at the club and with the squad would get people looking on the site regularly. This would go a long way towards repairing the damage done to sections of the fan-base through years of general apathy and it would only have to take less than 30 minutes per day.

That's one idea, for starters.

The link to Lee in the thread about the club shop is interesting. He said he got the job because he played in the same Sunday league team as Rob Heys. That sort of appointment should be a thing of the past. TM has some excellent thoughts here. The job should be advertised; a job spec should be drawn up; interviews should be held. A person with ideas, with ambition, with drive should be appointed.

The move towards a truly professional approach to management and administration begins today.