I've had my feet under a desk in the Cycling Southland office for something like six weeks now. I'm not sure whether it's because I feel so at home, or whether it's because I've had a bit on, but it feels like I've been here for months, rather than days.
It's been a crash course for the last month and a half and boy, have I learnt a lot!
My background was outside the sports industry. Media actually (16 years in radio ... although I try to keep that quiet.) I came into the role with a commercial background. I'd readily admit that in my blissful ignorance I thought that my role would have been mostly around commercial opportunites - sponsorships, increasing funding streams, developing new programmes and events and revenue sources.
Now, after my crash course, I won't say I've gone 180 degrees ... but it's not far off it. What I've realised is that all those commercial aspects are very important. To be fair there is limitless potential for this organisation. Naturally a key part of my role is making sure the balance sheet stays looking good and the risk around the organisation is minimised. But I now believe it is secondary to the most important function in my role. Members.
Cycling Southland is a sports club. A large one admittedly, but one none the less. I've come to the realisation that the balance sheet can look good, but unless we have a happy, healthy membership, we are as good as bankrupt as an organisation.
There is so much goodwill around this organisation, so much experience and expertise and so many ideas. Although I shouldn't publicly state this ... my job is pretty straight-forward. 1. Listen. 2. Put the people to make thing happen together. 3. Give them all the support they need to get the job done.
At the risk of sounding like a local body politician in election year ... it's about putting Members first. The best part about that, is that I know all the commercial stuff will start roaring along too if we make sure the most important person in Cycling Southland, you the member, is in the middle of every thing we do.
Hope you're enjoying the ride. I know I am
Nick