Screw those WTC jerks! What a bunch of wusses! A little negative feedback and they fold like a cheap suit! Sorry... we can't be giving these guys any credit now, can we?
Just like the pro athlete points system, and a few other things, maybe if they would have got some public ("average AG athlete") feedback, there might be more acceptance to it. But sometimes some decisions need to be made in a void.
I rather like Ben Fertic's response. Seemed to come from the heart. They also "gave the people what they wanted" and killed the program.
A really great pair of business books are "Crucial Confrontations" and "Crucial Conversations." They harp on the idea that you need to really divorce your "personal story" from a situation to get to an optimal resolution. If you look at the facts, WTC launched a program that would allow people the privilege of entering an Ironman early (or multiple IM's early) if they paid a $1000 fee. We don't know what their motives were. Taking Ben Fertic's assertion at face value seems reasonable. To not do so means we have to believe he is lying to us, a leap I don't generally like to take. Similarly, we can only know what our own perceptions of the program are, namely I (me personally) am afraid that this program will make doing an Ironman unafforable for me and I don't like that because I really enjoy doing Ironman. Tossing in assertions that WTC is bunch of capitalist, money hungry pigs intent on raping the sports world as we know it only poisons the discussion. On a larger scale, I think a similar problem is plaguing the way we are dealing with healthcare, the economy, etc. We hurl insults instead of honestly and fully expressing our own fears and desires. Even when we "win" an argument like we did here, the lingering anger on both sides impedes the relationship going further.
@Kevin, I really like and appreciate your comments on the subject.
I think a problem in general, and specifically related to this issue can be that recent issue related discussions tend to consist more and more of sound bites via Facebook and Twitter. The depth of discussion and respect for others with alternative perspectives can be often missing in those mediums where clever, snarky and smart ass trump detailed, thoughtful opinion and analysis.
So what Ben Fertic was telling me is that WI would have been even MORE crowded with all those spots that went unused? Doesn't that shoot them in the foot a little?
Plus, if someone is willing to pay an extra $1000 to sign up early, those same people are still going to sign up for multiple races. Still don't see how that program supposedly solved that problem? If people are registering for multiple races and don't show, then these are the people that should cut to the front of the line?
All I can say is that there is some real anger out there toward the WTC that was bubbling right below the surface. And re soundbites... remember, this apology is nothing more than that too. If you really listen to it, there's nothing truly thoughtful or detailed in it either. Mea culpa, and I'm sure many will roll over content and assuaged.
I'm still not feeling all warm and cozy, but Mr. Tallo is keeping me amused.
I'm surprised, and a little disappointed. Not at WTC, but at EN!! After four pages of comments, nobody, not one, commented on the absurdity of the initial mailing's inclusion of the $1000 fee in the list of 'Benefits'!!
The famed EN Out Season 'residual fatigue' must be setting in!
Well, I give Ben credit - he came straight out and admitted they screwed up - and this came from him on camera - not in just some written statement where he's trying to dodge it. It clearly wasn't the best idea and they listened to the feedback....but I also think they missed an opportunity....If having a number of athletes signing up for races and not showing up is a problem, since they had everyone's attention, why didn't they ask for our input on ideas on how to solve that problem??
I'll still do their races, but will continue to support others.....
@ K-Dub You are a poopyhead, your opinions are worthless and you are smelly.
Ahhh...we know that you are just mad cause you are not getting that super cool IM access card...I heard it was going to be made from a proprietary blend of carbon fiber [or else no self respecting triathlete would carry it], unobtanium [for obvious reasons] and drillium [you know, to save weight]
But now the horse is out of the barn; just look at the Women's 2012 IM reunion; serious talk of doing an indie IM. And I'll bet they're not the only ones...
But now the horse is out of the barn; just look at the Women's 2012 IM reunion; serious talk of doing an indie IM. And I'll bet they're not the only ones...
WTC should have learned from Coach Rich. Never piss off or bet against an EN Chica
Comments
Screw those WTC jerks! What a bunch of wusses! A little negative feedback and they fold like a cheap suit! Sorry... we can't be giving these guys any credit now, can we?
I'd never seen Ben Fertec until that video. Someone should really tell him what a fantastic job he's doing on "Glee" every week.
Dave, that had me rolling on the floor! Too funny!
I rather like Ben Fertic's response. Seemed to come from the heart. They also "gave the people what they wanted" and killed the program.
A really great pair of business books are "Crucial Confrontations" and "Crucial Conversations." They harp on the idea that you need to really divorce your "personal story" from a situation to get to an optimal resolution. If you look at the facts, WTC launched a program that would allow people the privilege of entering an Ironman early (or multiple IM's early) if they paid a $1000 fee. We don't know what their motives were. Taking Ben Fertic's assertion at face value seems reasonable. To not do so means we have to believe he is lying to us, a leap I don't generally like to take. Similarly, we can only know what our own perceptions of the program are, namely I (me personally) am afraid that this program will make doing an Ironman unafforable for me and I don't like that because I really enjoy doing Ironman. Tossing in assertions that WTC is bunch of capitalist, money hungry pigs intent on raping the sports world as we know it only poisons the discussion. On a larger scale, I think a similar problem is plaguing the way we are dealing with healthcare, the economy, etc. We hurl insults instead of honestly and fully expressing our own fears and desires. Even when we "win" an argument like we did here, the lingering anger on both sides impedes the relationship going further.
I think a problem in general, and specifically related to this issue can be that recent issue related discussions tend to consist more and more of sound bites via Facebook and Twitter. The depth of discussion and respect for others with alternative perspectives can be often missing in those mediums where clever, snarky and smart ass trump detailed, thoughtful opinion and analysis.
So what Ben Fertic was telling me is that WI would have been even MORE crowded with all those spots that went unused? Doesn't that shoot them in the foot a little?
Plus, if someone is willing to pay an extra $1000 to sign up early, those same people are still going to sign up for multiple races. Still don't see how that program supposedly solved that problem? If people are registering for multiple races and don't show, then these are the people that should cut to the front of the line?
All I can say is that there is some real anger out there toward the WTC that was bubbling right below the surface. And re soundbites... remember, this apology is nothing more than that too. If you really listen to it, there's nothing truly thoughtful or detailed in it either. Mea culpa, and I'm sure many will roll over content and assuaged.
I'm still not feeling all warm and cozy, but Mr. Tallo is keeping me amused.
If they would solicit inputs from a focus group of serious triathletes ahead of time, they could avoid these PR disasters.
I looked at Rev 3 Cedar Rapids and definitely think it's a great alternative. Gonna look at mid-Atlantic region as well.
anybody know why I just had $1000 refunded on my credit card???
I'm surprised, and a little disappointed. Not at WTC, but at EN!! After four pages of comments, nobody, not one, commented on the absurdity of the initial mailing's inclusion of the $1000 fee in the list of 'Benefits'!!
The famed EN Out Season 'residual fatigue' must be setting in!
Mike
Another video...www.xtranormal.com/watch/7490925/
I was imagining myself naked in sea of 1000 dollar bills
That's exactly what I did when I first heard it. LOL
I'll still do their races, but will continue to support others.....
I am glad they retracted their statement, I still think all they care about is money.
@ K-Dub You are a poopyhead, your opinions are worthless and you are smelly.
Ahhh...we know that you are just mad cause you are not getting that super cool IM access card...I heard it was going to be made from a proprietary blend of carbon fiber [or else no self respecting triathlete would carry it], unobtanium [for obvious reasons] and drillium [you know, to save weight]
WTC should have learned from Coach Rich. Never piss off or bet against an EN Chica
Someone needs to be schooled again on the slopes of the Bopple.