Thanks for those plan summaries.
As you stated earlier, from a business perspective, it comes down to the product. If the product is not desirable, it's worth diminishes. I would question the ability to raise prices for the product on a promise that the lack of value now would be offset in future years. If you can sell that, I might need a resume from you.
Other than the timing, the summaries seem like a start.
As far as guessing donation amounts, it probably varies by year. The university has a need and makes a request for additional donations from dedicated donors with significant financial resources. I imagine their donations could be from $10M to $50M in any given year.
Oh, I could sell that in the right environment at the right time.
And that environment is this program, and the time is now.
If I sell that the people responsible for the past 10 to 15 years of issues can be run off with a modest price increase, the people that have had to weather that storm will make that sacrifice. And they will do it gladly.
The quick turn around of hope that Butch Jones brought is proof of that. That can be leveraged again, but it has to be a better promise. That's why Schiano failed to sell. He was more of the same (Butch, Dooley). That's what Currie has failed to realize. He has to sell a new product, not a repackaged version of the old one.
People want a change of direction. That will sell. Especially to other boosters who, despite giving money, feel that they have been overshadowed.
Let me put it another way. Currie is try to sell that the fan base is stupid. No leaks, trust me to do the right thing. I know you've been left at the altar, had your heart ripped out by your last two loves, but trust me. Then he gets all prettied up and goes out all night. Comes back home smelling of perfume, with makeup smeared all over him.
You think he's going to be trusted? No.
But I can sell that High School sweet heart. That was long ago, and only the good memories remain. Plus, they never cheated.
You are selling emotions, not product, if you do it right. But you can't insult the customers intelligence. And you have to manage set the expectations.
You sell it as a coup, going back to the old ways. Much like New Coke / Old Coke. We made a mistake and we are fixing it, but it's going to cost.
People will buy that. Your car that keeps breaking down, we can give you a better one like your old one you remember that was dependable. And at only 10% increase on your current payments. It will be reliable, new, shiny, and have everything that loved about that old car you loved. But it will take a little time on the break in period. Don't run it hard for the first 5000 miles. Get your transmission oil changed at your first oil change. It's really going to be something at it's first 15,000 mile maintenance. The power really comes through then.
See, you can sell that, and manage expectations, without making excuses.
