Times are getting tough at Rafferty’s Travelling Circus; visitor numbers are dwindling as there are now more competitors drawing the crowds with bigger and better attractions. Bob, the head of ticket sales, is worried but comes up with a plan to revitalise the business – he goes to his boss Patrick to discuss it:
Bob: “I’ve looked at why business is down and there are two reasons. Firstly, the economic trading climate, which we can’t do anything about. Secondly. We’ve not invested in acts – we’re trying to get a better ticket sales result by offering the same things the acts have always done and it’s not working.”
Patrick: “So what do you suggest?”
Bob: “We need to invest in training – give the acts the additional knowledge and skills that will make them a compelling proposition to the audience. We can ‘drip feed’ the training to minimise the impact on day-to-day operations and the trainer will come to us so we have no hotel or travel costs. In a short period of time we’ll have upskilled the team to meet the needs of the business. Not only that, but the cost of the training will be recouped within 3 months”
Here was Patrick’s response:
Patrick: “We need these people & animals out there in the ring earning us money - we won’t be generating any revenue whilst they’re out of the business. And I’m not spending any of our budget on training – what if we upskill them and the lions run off to a competitor? Now, get out there and increase our earnings!!”
In the absence of any signs of an improvement in market conditions it only remains to wish Rafferty’s Travelling Circus the best of luck.