Ashford Call Centre

Intbel · 28-04-2006, 08:05 PM

The Ashford Call Centre closed today - Friday 28th April 2006.

I look forward to the improved efficiency of the new communications and information dissemination set-up which replaces it.

This is specifically, I understand, Geoffrey Kingsott's domain, "information officer" (by whatever name) being part of his job description.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffrey Kingscott

I must make it clear that I do not intend to confine myself to making sure the tiny numbers of overworked staff in head office or in the Ashford call centre are doing their jobs.

I do not see myself therefore as The Boss,
rather, my role is to be the Great Coordinator.

I regard my role as providing support for the membership throughout the country.

Now we all know exactly who is responsible for for taking control of this most important area of UKIP activities and now we have a new communications centre I hope we can move onward with greater efficiency and effectiveness for the benefit ofUKIP, its members and members of the general public who seek information and advice.

soundasapound · 28-04-2006, 09:11 PM

Hmm... I take it i will be able to contact with the new communications centre, as i called head office regarding membership issues and no-one answered...time after time. So now asford is closing, who do we call?

I hold my breath. AS MUCH AS PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAID EMPLOYEES AT ASHFORD, AT LEAST THEY WERE THERE!. I dont hold out much luck with volunteers in the South West, calling during the day while im at work, and most probably retired, and what the hell do they know about the rest of the country? Its hardly cosmopolitan in its makeup and representation?! I think they may get a surprise when they find out, that actually, the Ashford Call Centre was actually very good for UKIP. If i call up after 6pm when i get home, will anyone be there? I fear an own goal by the powers that be... Also i find it strange that most of the complaints about the Ashford call centre being corrupt/dodgy and unprincipled, were from members predominantly based in the south west, with no evidence to back up these claims. And the new call centre is based where?..... the South West? hmm, be careful what you wish for, anyone who believes in conspiracy theories would think that the derogatory rumours about the ashford call centre were a ploy to get it relocated! But i dont believe in such conspiracies... :wink:

Intbel · 28-04-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundasapound

Hmm... I take it i will be able to contact with the new communications centre, as i called head office regarding membership issues and no-one answered...time after time. So now asford is closing, who do we call?

I haven't a clue. No doubt we will be informed via the new improved communications operation?

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundasapound

I hold my breath. AS MUCH AS PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAID EMPLOYEES AT ASHFORD, AT LEAST THEY WERE THERE!. I dont hold out much luck with volunteers in the South West, calling during the day while im at work, and most probably retired, and what the hell do they know about the rest of the country? Its hardly cosmopolitan in its makeup and representation?! I think they may get a surprise when they find out, that actually, the Ashford Call Centre was actually very good for UKIP. If i call up after 6pm when i get home, will anyone be there? I fear an own goal by the powers that be... Also i find it strange that most of the complaints about the Ashford call centre being corrupt/dodgy and unprincipled, were from members predominantly based in the south west, with no evidence to back up these claims. And the new call centre is based where?..... the South West? hmm, be careful what you wish for, anyone who believes in conspiracy theories would think that the derogatory rumours about the ashford call centre were a ploy to get it relocated! But i dont believe in such conspiracies... :wink:

It will be most interesting watching how things unfold ...

mkpdavies · 29-04-2006, 06:43 AM

This is one of those issues that I feel like a mushroom.

Personally, I don't know anything about the financial goings on. I wasn't that against Ashford calling round for donations, as long as they didn't if asked by members or chairman of particular areas either.

I am deeply concerned that during an election period, when thousands of leaflets are going out and potential new members could be trying to call in, that stories of no one being home are being reported back.

If you are going to do a switch over, it has to be in a controlled phased fashion and of course the new team has to be up to the job. Yes old teams can be awkward buggers and not cooperate, but that's where the situation has to be managed.

komerad · 29-04-2006, 08:14 AM

I would have thought that the Ashford centre would have been retained untill after the local elections.
It closes it's doors less than a week before the elections, surely it could have been kept going for another week.
Possibly, most UKIP members are not on the internet - not able to read this forum - so how will the majority of members know it is closed.?
Not A brilliant strategy.

mkpdavies · 29-04-2006, 08:27 AM

I agree. **** poor planning.

kernow · 29-04-2006, 10:25 AM

My In laws who are not even members, only signed a street petition and afterwards were phoned up and asked for money 3 times in less than 3 weeks, I then rang the office to tell them to call off their hounds and the chap on the other end of the telephones attitude could only be described as rude! So I wondered how many other would be members got put off by that offices attitude to money!

Intbel · 29-04-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernow

My In laws who are not even members, only signed a street petition and afterwards were phoned up and asked for money 3 times in less than 3 weeks, I then rang the office to tell them to call off their hounds and the chap on the other end of the telephones attitude could only be described as rude! So I wondered how many other would be members got put off by that offices attitude to money!

It is unlikely to happen again now everyone has been sacked.

That one ... okay, or two ... folks were downright rude to folks can not be denied. Unfortunately, the telesales team "Leader" was the worst culprit and it was difficult preventing others following his lead.

He was probably the most objectionable person with whom I have ever worked.

Akebono · 29-04-2006, 05:21 PM

That is correct.

And recognition that poilitics and short-term fund raising through donations are entirely separate is welcome.

During high profile campaigns, with billboards to assist it can be lucrative for the political party and those soliciting contributions in a correct and pleasant manner.

The most effecient method is to operate as commission-only to make it transparent and self-funding. This was he case on many occasions - a WIN-WIN situation.

There are always opportunities for members and supporters to make individual donations and these will be directly linked to the effeciency of the party's performance.

During the successful 2004 Euros the call centres were busy and members of the public were happy to help a successful, vibrant cause.

This was less evident during LTPD. Winter timing and poor designs of leaflets were a couple of reasons for the miminal interest from Joe Public.

It would have been beneficial for Ashford to have been open during the weekends but circumstances prevented this.

Intbel · 29-04-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akebono

That is correct.

And recognition that poilitics and short-term fund raising through donations are entirely separate is welcome.

During high profile campaigns, with billboards to assist it can be lucrative for the political party and those soliciting contributions in a correct and pleasant manner.

The most effecient method is to operate as commission-only to make it transparent and self-funding. This was he case on many occasions - a WIN-WIN situation.

There are always opportunities for members and supporters to make individual donations and these will be directly linked to the effeciency of the party's performance.

During the successful 2004 Euros the call centres were busy and members of the public were happy to help a successful, vibrant cause.

This was less evident during LTPD. Winter timing and poor designs of leaflets were a couple of reasons for the miminal interest from Joe Public.

It would have been beneficial for Ashford to have been open during the weekends but circumstances prevented this.

Two points:
No-one at Ashford worked on a commission-only basis.
Ashford Call Centre did open and operate during many weekends. Yes, also during the LTPD campaign.

29-04-2006, 06:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	This is one of those issues that I feel like a mushroom. Personally, I don't know anything about the financial goings on. I wasn't that against Ashford calling round for donations, as long as they didn't if asked by members or chairman of particular areas either. I am deeply concerned that during an election period, when thousands of leaflets are going out and potential new members could be trying to call in, that stories of no one being home are being reported back. If you are going to do a switch over, it has to be in a controlled phased fashion and of course the new team has to be up to the job. Yes old teams can be awkward buggers and not cooperate, but that's where the situation has to be managed. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

29-04-2006, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	I agree. **** poor planning. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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28-04-2006, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
soundasapound Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 25	Hmm... I take it i will be able to contact with the new communications centre, as i called head office regarding membership issues and no-one answered...time after time. So now asford is closing, who do we call? I hold my breath. AS MUCH AS PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAID EMPLOYEES AT ASHFORD, AT LEAST THEY WERE THERE!. I dont hold out much luck with volunteers in the South West, calling during the day while im at work, and most probably retired, and what the hell do they know about the rest of the country? Its hardly cosmopolitan in its makeup and representation?! I think they may get a surprise when they find out, that actually, the Ashford Call Centre was actually very good for UKIP. If i call up after 6pm when i get home, will anyone be there? I fear an own goal by the powers that be... Also i find it strange that most of the complaints about the Ashford call centre being corrupt/dodgy and unprincipled, were from members predominantly based in the south west, with no evidence to back up these claims. And the new call centre is based where?..... the South West? hmm, be careful what you wish for, anyone who believes in conspiracy theories would think that the derogatory rumours about the ashford call centre were a ploy to get it relocated! But i dont believe in such conspiracies... :wink:

29-04-2006, 08:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
komerad Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cardiff. S.Wales Posts: 585	I would have thought that the Ashford centre would have been retained untill after the local elections. It closes it's doors less than a week before the elections, surely it could have been kept going for another week. Possibly, most UKIP members are not on the internet - not able to read this forum - so how will the majority of members know it is closed.? Not A brilliant strategy.

29-04-2006, 10:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
kernow Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,017	My In laws who are not even members, only signed a street petition and afterwards were phoned up and asked for money 3 times in less than 3 weeks, I then rang the office to tell them to call off their hounds and the chap on the other end of the telephones attitude could only be described as rude! So I wondered how many other would be members got put off by that offices attitude to money!

29-04-2006, 05:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Akebono Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 116	That is correct. And recognition that poilitics and short-term fund raising through donations are entirely separate is welcome. During high profile campaigns, with billboards to assist it can be lucrative for the political party and those soliciting contributions in a correct and pleasant manner. The most effecient method is to operate as commission-only to make it transparent and self-funding. This was he case on many occasions - a WIN-WIN situation. There are always opportunities for members and supporters to make individual donations and these will be directly linked to the effeciency of the party's performance. During the successful 2004 Euros the call centres were busy and members of the public were happy to help a successful, vibrant cause. This was less evident during LTPD. Winter timing and poor designs of leaflets were a couple of reasons for the miminal interest from Joe Public. It would have been beneficial for Ashford to have been open during the weekends but circumstances prevented this.