Just wondering if anyone else had a chance to read the objectives yet.
https://wst.org.uk/wp/?page_id=179
Had a scan of the Smart Objectives document. My understanding of the SMART goals is that they should be measurable for the most part, but there seems a distinct lack of measures in place. I know not everything can be measured in numbers of course.
Community Group – 12 specific activities, only one of which has a measure which was to achieve more than 1300 ticket take up for Grassroots football day.
Revenue Group – 10 activities, 1 measurable KPI to generate £12k on Xmas raffle. Other KPIs are TBC or vague, for example the Match Day Hosting activity has the KPI of “New Sponsors”
Communication Group – 10 activities, 0 measures
Operational Group – 10 activities. Measure assigned to secure 2 year lease of nineacres field while development of Groves is ongoing. There are obviously goals in here around season ticket sales, paying attendees etc which do not need a KPI because they are binary, i.e. we will either sell more than 2115 tickets or we won’t
Ownership Membership – 10 activities, 0 measures.
I’d encourage people to have a read of the Smart goals. Many of the objectives seem like things we should be doing as business as usual (i.e. sponsorship, membership engagement and growth, better comms). It was indicated that the goals would be fundamental to our success, but whilst certainly achievable I don’t feel like they have been thought out that well.
Additionally, not sure the prioritisation of some of these things is correct. Given our current situation, for me I would de-prioritise the training ground. If relegated, assuming some cost is going to be incurred I’d probably focus budget on first team activities. Additionally, some of the facility upgrades with the exception of the disabled supporters platform (incidentally this seems to have the longest lead time) could be deferred. We have prioritised remodelling the dug outs over improving the food kiosks and the quality of their products and service levels particularly in the tech end. Food and Drinks are probably the second biggest factor in the matchday experience next to the football itself and we are severely lacking.
Feel a bit like the SMART goals weren’t all that smart at this stage. Just expected a bit more. Acknowledge these may be a work in progress, just wondered if anyone else had a view. I had a read of the Strategy House document too and was pretty underwhelmed by that also.