Communicating the message is important. It is not always sufficient, but if you are unable to communicate frankly, you are not going to make the right decisions for your business.
Nokia owned the mobile phone market in the first decade of this century. Early on in that period, they sold over half the units bought on the world and by the end of the decade they still sold north of a third. As they reflected on their 2010 performance, chief exec Stephen Elop, told employees the company was “a man standing on an oil platform in the North Sea and facing a raging fire on multiple fronts, who has no choice but to jump into freezing water to survive.”
Elop knew what the future had in store for his mobile phone business, as did the execs at Google, who were gaining round with Android, and at Apple, where the iPhone had already made an impact. That North Sea platform analogy was lacking in taste, but Nokia needed a major change of direction and an analogy that cut through with people was necessary.
Unlike Nokia, Newco are not the leading player in their market, but they are also standing on a proverbial burning platform. Instead of explaining this to their stakeholders, a different message was promoted with their annual accounts, “Profit”, we were told, although the word was qualified by “operational”. “Loss” was the effective word used in the accounts, for those who can understand a P&L, although few news reports got that far.
Hearts were the same yesterday, proclaiming “season 2022/23 saw the club post a record turnover of £20.8m”. This is correct and Hearts were able to report they have more money in the bank than their Glasgow cousins.
Fan comments after the news was almost universal: ‘spend more money’ but wait! Hearts record turnover came because of Europa League qualification, which didn’t happen this year. Even that was not enough to keep them out of the red, they relied on Donations of over £6m (30% of that turnover) to pay their bills.
Hearts have a shock coming in the post. Income will fall away without the Europa League. That £6m donations figure is made up of £1.6m from Foundation of Hearts members and £4.5m from other benefactors (believed to be James Anderson).
Call me cynical, but the Sugar Daddy thing is unwise. Football fans cannot rely on a rich benefactor, the game is littered with morality tales. They also cannot rely on donations from ordinary fans to hold up at the same levels as Edinburgh mortgage payments rise next year.
Stephen Elop ended his talk to staff by saying, “The burning platform, upon which the man found himself, caused the man to shift his behaviour, and take a bold and brave step into an uncertain future. He was able to tell his story. Now, we have a great opportunity to do the same.”
He was unable to reverse the decline of Nokia’s mobile phone business, but today they employ 92,000 people with a turnover of €23bn. Shift behaviour, step into an uncertain future – that is the message which should be coming out of clubs living precariously close to the edge, not this ‘everything is great’ nonsense.
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RC
I think so.
Big Wavys proof I am a “Racist”
The esteemed Ernie Lynch,late of this Parish on one his rants about the Mark Walters incident at CP.
Sick of listening to it I replied”Every cloud has a silver lining Ernie,me and another wee guy made a fortune outside the Jungle that game selling Bananas”
National Front,sign me up.Garage,look to your laurels.
Farage,bloody laptop.
So you took advantage of Celtic fans by selling the bananas at an inflated price.
With friends like you . . . . .
TURKEYBHOY
I remember that and it was very funny.
G. FEARON
Is there any word on the israel national team and clubs from that place being thrown out of European competition?
They were quick enough on the draw when it came to Russia.
At this very moment, Israel are playing Switzerland in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
Tom McLaughlin on 15th November 2023 8:18 pm
Seem UEFA also have a hierarchy of victims.
Carpe Diem has suggested that Celtic should consider bidding for Shankland. Right now, he’s certainly not as good as Kyogo. Whether he’s better than Oh is debatable. But if Celtic did sign him it is possible that his game would improve with better players around him.
The comparison with McCoist is interesting. In the early 1980s, Billy McNeil hosted a remarkably candid Q & A in Greenock’s Loreto Club. He made no secret of his admiration for McCoist and let it be known that during the close season Sunderland had alerted Celtic that the player was available. Billy was then on holiday but contactable. However no-one at Celtic thought to phone Billy about the player’s availability. Similarly, when Gordon Strachan moved from Dundee to what was then Billy’s Aberdeen the player told his manager that he would have preferred a move to Celtic. But there was no interest from Parkhead.
Is there any word on the israel national team and clubs from that place being thrown out of European competition?
—
how can a country that isnt in Europe get thrown out of a European compet…
oh hang on…
theres that politics in football carry on again that apparantly isnt allowed 🤷🏻♂️
When discussing why Celtic don’t spend more of the £72 million in cash that Celtic have in the bank .
There seems to be an elephant in the room .
Celtic failed in a bid to settle the sexual abuse cases in an out of court settlement.
Is it possible that the board have been advised that if they lose the case ,they will have to pay tens of millions in compensation ?
The fact that they have offered an out of court settlement,leads me to believe that Celtics legal advisers think that there is a good chance that Celtic will lose the case .
Why would you try and settle out of court ,before a trial ?
The most likely reason is that you think that on balance you will lose at trial .
That you can limit compensation to less than it would be if you lost at trial .
To stop information that would be harmful to the reputation, being aired at trial.
Despite the almost daily criticism that is aired at our board and major shareholders they are not stupid men .
Especially Dermot Desmond .
I hope that I am wrong but my gut tells me that this case is going to cost many millions of pounds ,and it is prudent not to overspend ,at this time .
I don’t expect us to splash the cash until the case is resolved.
Does anyone have any reliable knowledge or experience of how much Celtic are likely to have to pay in compensation ,if they lose the case?
TT
FEARON on 15TH NOVEMBER 2023 8:12 PM
So you took advantage of Celtic fans by selling the bananas at an inflated price.
With friends like you . . . . .
Not our fault,Our supplier mixed up the order.We were supposed to get 3 boxes of Spam Rolls and The Spearmint Chewing Gum.
Also sold at inflated prices.
Deary Me.
Tinting,
Did you not post that post last night.Its too long a post for even my fertile imagination to conjure up.H,mmmm.
SFTB @ 5.51
That was outstanding. The unvarnished truth. Quite brilliant.
As far as I am led to believe,it’s the Insurers that have offered a settlement.
Did anyone ever eat one of those ,Roll and Spam in the Jungle?
who blew up the inflated bananas
The blow up Jimmy johnstones were definitely sold at inflated prices
GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING
I’m glad I kept mine👍
I heard earlier and read later that Pope Francis has reaffirmed a ban on Catholics also being freemasons. Leaving aside the difficulties long faced by the Vatican in this area, I wonder if this latest confirmation, if you will, would have any impact in Scotland, in a way it may have say in England or elsewhere. I am guessing that Catholic freemasons are few and far between in Scotland, if at all, whereas I am one hundred per cent sure that, at the top level at least, referees in Scotland who are not freemasons are even fewer and further in between. Indeed represent our main rivals best hope of preventing Celtic FC from achieving three SPL titles in a row. Not sure if Francis has a view on that.
Glad I’m pished. Could be worse, could be a hun.
TINYTIM
My information is that Celtic’s initial defence that the club and the boys club were two separate entities was legally sound but morally questionable and the longer the case went on, the more damage was being brought down on the club’s reputation.
The lawyers representing the victims had for some time been urging Celtic to come to an agreement and eventually the club acceded to that request.
This is a civil rather than a criminal case. It is not unusual for civil cases to be settled out of court. In fact the majority of civil compensation cases are settled out of court. Indeed the courts prefer it that way.
My guess is that any compensation package will be subject to non-disclosure, meaning victims will not be able to go public after compensation is agreed, thereby minimising further damaging publicity. There could also be an agreement that compensation amounts will be kept secret.
I don’t understand your comment — Celtic failed in a bid to settle the sexual abuse cases in an out of court settlement.
You then go on to talk about Celtic agreeing to settle out of court. Conflicting and confusing statements.
Nonetheless, I am surprised that you raise the question at this juncture. The decision to settle out of court was made a few months ago. I know you travel a lot and wonder if you have only just heard the news.
Anyway, it’s a long process that will run and run.
Tam
Thank’s for your response .
I’m trying to gage how much Celtic may have to pay SHOULD the case go against them?
TT
TinyTim
If, as TurkeyBhoy suggests, Celtic’s insurers have offered a settlement then presumably the insurers would be paying the bulk of the settlement.
BIGRAILROADBLUES @ 2023 5:59 PM
Far too much gravitas and not enough levity on the blog tonight. Some crap jokes needed and I don’t mean the hun.
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BRRB
At lunchtime I watched both clips below for a laugh.
Interestingly, the second one used to crack me up unequivocally.
… But, 50 years later, (and with the COVID VIP Lane specifically in mind) I think people actually behave this way.
https://youtu.be/FKvDHaJISxI?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/WaJG7udlfEM?feature=shared
Tiny Tim….Savilles victims were averaging 60-70k …I’d take the millions with a pinch of salt…I’m sure I read somewhere celtic paid a victim 100k that was for a victim of an employee though ( mccafferty) …it certainly won’t be tens of millions like the SMSM are making out….
remember when mandela passed away, uefa were ok/encouraged tributes ?
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0210-0e87cd1c8f14-42b1ac17de1b-1000–football-pays-tribute-to-nelson-mandela/
mandela himself…
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
and still they dish out fines ?
FRITZSONG on 15TH NOVEMBER 2023 8:24 PM
when Gordon Strachan moved from Dundee to what was then Billy’s Aberdeen the player told his manager that he would have preferred a move to Celtic. But there was no interest from Parkhead.
*hmmm beg to differ there as big Jock had coveted wgs for a wee while, in fact he advocated for a reserve player of the year award but only to a genuine reserve and NOT first team player out of the side or coming back fae injury and wgs won it 2 years in a row, but there was nae chance that they would sell tae us, another case in pint was Stevie Murray who went tae the sheep first tae, fortunately Stevie had a clause in his contract with the sheep that he could leave for a certain amount wgs didnae.
Aye Billy did sign him along with Steve Archibald who he had at the bully wee and Neil Simpson but he left the following summer for us to be replaced with sir furious who point blank refused our offer for him from the same Billy.
CELTIC MAC on 15TH NOVEMBER 2023 9:14 PM
I heard earlier and read later that Pope Francis has reaffirmed a ban on Catholics also being freemasons. Leaving aside the difficulties long faced by the Vatican in this area, I wonder if this latest confirmation, if you will, would have any impact in Scotland, in a way it may have say in England or elsewhere. I am guessing that Catholic freemasons are few and far between in Scotland.
*well, I no longer live there but I have heard that there are more Catholics in the craft than we would expect plus like about 90% + of members they are only in it for job prospects or climbing the corporate ladder.
Also, they do NOT have a ban on Catholics although there are some in it that would luv it tae be a boys and NOT bhoys only club and the only perquisite is the belief in a supreme being, however, any Catholic that does join them was NOT excommunicated as it was in the past they just couldnae take part in the sacraments.
tontine tim
The statement today was in response to a growing problem in the Philipines, Catholic via its’ earlier links with Spain. The Dicastery issued an opinion which reaffirmed a 1983 declaration, (signed by the later Benedict XVI) that “Catholics in Masonic Associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion”. So you are right on that front, and may give us a pointer re who doesn’t go down the aisle to receive the sacrament at Mass. Think giving a penalty against the Celtic might meet a similar opprobrium.
CELTIC MAC on 16TH NOVEMBER 2023 12:21 AM
When I hear of those who have joined the craft the following comes tae mind
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”
Thank’s for the responses.
I’m not sure that Celtic will have insurance that covers this .
I’m unaware of an insurer that provides cover sexual assaults by employees .
Secondly .
The culprits were not employed by the club .
TT
Vinniethedog
That’s the type of info I was looking for .
TT
Two points firstly Get Shankland …no one is comparing him to Kyogo …but the boy is a fine goalscorer and able deputy and I believe we could take his game ..and international career to a new level..2 ways we secure him simple top dollar ( filthy lucre ) and top medals …no brainer.Second point Freemasonry is incompatible with Catholicism as it denies the position of Christ .
That is it is effectively a cult and religion in its own right whose members are required to accept a hybrid god …including Baal ( satan) ..and this is only revealed to them when they reach 33rd degree..this is on public domain …google it .,therefore completely incompatible with Jesus Christ and the trinity .
Freemasonry is incompatible with Catholicism as it denies the position of Christ .
Could he play left back ?
SFTBS @14TH NOVEMBER 2023, 5:51 PM,
Apologies for the late and brief reply.
My comment didn’t predict anything, outwith we’d win a close derby.
However the suggestion that the old firm teams could become competitively closer was not regarded as instantaneous, even if it wetr forecast in March 2019.
Your reply benefits from hindsight, ignoring the previously ubiquitous “mind the gap” and “Brendan Rodgers in here for ten in a row”.
Back to this thread, your comments are very interesting…
Your preferred option that Sevco were parachuted in to the SPL in place of Rangers was the authorities and SPL Clubs’ Plan A.
The original 5WA draft had that agreed, in return Sevco would take on Rangers punishments up to, and including title stripping.
It failed because, as you allude to in your comments, the supporters of the SPL Clubs got wind of this travesty and rebelled against their Clubs’ hierarchy.
Including refusing to renew season tickets.
The authorities went to Plan B, Sevco in the SFL, however Charles Greene refused to accept the “punishments” under such conditions and a Mexican standoff ensued.
The draft 5WA had to be re-written and a revision was “signed”.
Sevco were (eventually) fined by the SPL…
In February 2013 an independent SPL commission set up to probe the use of EBTs at Ibrox fined the Oldco £250,000.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-pay-250000-ebt-fine-9149702.amp
Your wish to see Sevco in the SPL from the off does not surprise, more Celtic supporters were open to this than admitted at the time.
Yet let’s not forget, this was a travesty of justice and Rangers were liquidated and their death should have followed due process.
The swindle that actually occurred was a disgrace to Scottish football and Scottish society.
The shame of the 5WA must be bourne by the perpetrators including Celtic PLC.
Hail Hail
Good morning all from another cold, damp, day in the Garngad.
I cannot believe that fans know that our board are liars and cheats and still bang their drum (oh they are good guys, intelligent guys).
NO they are LIARS.
D :)