Suggestions for Change

[Nixt]

Okay so I'll start with saying that I know parts / versions of these suggestions may already be happening / being put into place but my suggestions take that on board and create what I believe would be more effective in terms of what I think Habbox needs.

Before I start though some kudos is needed as it seems certain things are beginning to pick up and there are things happening, notably for Halloween, and that's great. HxL listeners seem to be on the up, although nowhere near as high as they could be, it's obviously seeing some improvement.

However I personally think that Habbox is far too complicated and since the merge and Habbox's slight decline in client popularity, this is even more the case. Habbox is too bureaucratic for what it is right now and I think this needs cutting down on considerably so things can get better and better. I'm not suggesting Habbox is doomed for inevitable failure, and I do think it will continue to progress (notably when V6 is introduced) however I do think this progress could have more of an impact and happen a lot faster if some controversial but necessary changes are made notably to management and department structure.

Habbox.com - Okay so Jake highlighted this in his thread I think and it's something I've said a few times in Manager's Meetings, Habbox.com should be the core of Habbox and everything should flow off of that. HxF itself can only be popular if you have a steady stream of members and if you look at any Habbo fansite the ones with the most popular forums are the ones with the most popular sites. Trying to advertise a forum as a sole fansite (note: HabboForum) is largely difficult and unsuccessful, even with the help of Habbo Staff apparently.

We have V6 coming, that's the first key change. However I think the overall site management needs overhauling along with its introduction. I personally think the content department and position of content AGM (sorry Alkaz) is largely obsolete. Myke and Martin largely manage their departments very well and as far as I can remember both departments are largely self sufficient. This leaves the Content AGM as pretty much, the Content Manager and little else. I personally suggest dissolving the current content department upon V6 and doing the following:

Site Manager - Manages the site (duh!) in that he or she has a knowledge of the coding required to maintain it, and the technical ability to fix any bugs that may occur. Furthermore the Site Manager will be in charge of maintaining and tending to content. In all honesty (no offence to Content Designers) it's a job that doesn't require much and once the guides and so on are in place they require very little work. If SPAG is right first time what is there to do? Most of the things on the site will update manually, it just requires someone with a knowledge of how it all ticks (I would say HotelUser for this job, on the basis he is or at least was single handedly coding the thing, if not - James). It's nothing a Site Manager shouldn't be able to handle alone, but in the event he can't...

Department Managers - Have site access to edit pages relevant to their departments. For example the HxHD Manager can help maintain the guides. It makes sense to extend their responsibility to ensuring the SITE is updated and maintained because they work for Habbox.com and therefore should be working to make sure it is a success.

Okay so this is just a brief overview really. It would require some technical details being fine tuned but I really do think the content team is pretty much obsolete and this would be a much more sensible way of keeping the site well maintained and up together. It also means projects such as V6 can move much faster and efficiently than it has done already.

The Site Manager would also ensure that news, rares and graphics are up to a proper standard but their focus would be on making sure this was all to a relevant standard. They are not a manager's manager, as it were (as AGMs are) and they are not concerned with the staffing of news / graphics / rares (more on this later). They will also be in charge of ensuring the radio is working technically, as HxL will merge into Hx.

General Management - In light of the above changes you know already that I think the Content AGM role should go. I also think changes should be made to the roles of GM, AGM (Staff) and AGM (Community). In doing this, changes at Dept Management level are inevitable.

General Manager - In all honesty, have a look at what the General Manager actually does (this isn't specifically aimed at Matt, btw, it is the role I am talking about). Okay the General Manager does a lot, that is true, so I guess the question is what does the role of General Manager actually do that the other layers of Management don't do already? It's essentially another layer of pointless bureaucracy and approval, and it has become a role that essentially restricts what Matt can really do. Therefore...

The General Manager should essentially become the Manager's Manager. The dissolution of AGMs (more next) will mean this role can be transferred to him. He or she is, naturally, concerned with the goings on within each department but now becomes the Manager of the Department Managers. His or her role becomes focused on whether or not they are meeting the standards they should be, responding to complaints about them and ensuring each department is running at full capacity.

Jin needs to relinquish all or most of his power to the GM, allowing them to make decisions on the ground as and when necessary.

Assistant General Manager (Staff) - The role that I loved irl, no denying that, but I will happily admit I exceeded my mandate here and I think it's impossible not to. Whether you think I was treading on toes or doing good for Habbox the fact is that anyone being promoted to "Assistant General Manager" isn't going to take the role on the sole basis of editing staff permissions. Ultimately the role is obsolete then as apparently this is all they should be doing, other than dealing with staff complaints which will now be covered by the GM at Dept Manager level and by Department Managers in regard to other things (below). Adding or removing staff permissions becomes the role of the (Assistant) Forum Manager.

So what happens to staff discipline, omg!?!?! Well simple really, in regard to the forum, the Moderators are able to infract Staff. Where a member of staff reaches x fixed amount of infractions they lose their job. It seems to make sense that this should be at the caution level, because the initiation of a caution would then remove their access to the staff forums and prevent any problems associated with delayed communication (if it was below the individual would know they were going to be fired before they were). If not a system could easily be implemented to properly manage it.

Other discipline (aka on Habbo) is explained below.

AGM (Community) - I essentially think this role should stay, as it is very important. This role however will remain embodied in the position of Deputy General Manager or if you'd prefer. The Deputy General Manager will primarily focus on Community issues. This isn't limited to the community departments however, it is his or her responsibility to ensure that all departments are working together to ensure the community are well catered. This will involve changing from the predominant one event an hour mindset to the Deputy GM coordinating department managers into working together for larger scale events and competitions that operate as a singular entity. Naturally the Deputy GM will be there to step in on other roles if the General Manager goes away or becomes otherwise indisposed.

Departments and their Management - Inevitably the Department Management structure and responsibility will have to change slightly in this instance. The GM has absorbed some of the AGM duties but other duties will have to be devolved down. Dissolving an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and increasing communication between everyone.

Events and Comps - The dreaded merge. But yes, looking at it now it makes sense. You want to start looking at events on a grander scale, creating campaigns and projects that include everybody and everything. These two departments are closely linked so the two are brought together and can then create Forum Events (competitions) and Habbo events. It does actually make sense.

HxHD - Reduce the HxHD Staff Team to around five dedicated individuals who are community minded - i.e. they chat and integrate with the community and don't just offer help to random Habbos(and one manager), all with rights. Allow Department Managers access to the desk via the staff entrance (no rights). This encourages Managers to spend time on Habbo, increases the use of HxHD and forces HxHD Staff to be increasingly dedicated and HxHD Management to choose only the most dedicated and hard working individuals.

Managers and Discipline - On Habbo discipline and general attitude of staff becomes the responsibility of their managers (as it should be) rather than that of the now defunct AGM (Staff). Department Managers can also reply to complaints about their departments on a smaller scale. Obviously the GM responds to complaints on a larger scale and complaints about managers.

Events - Events are planned by the team of Managers. The Event Organisers then execute this. The Event Manager coordinates the planning but all managers must get involved and explain how they will contribute somehow, or just generally help with planning. The Deputy GM will chair and mediate these discussions and planning.

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Right so there is a lot to read and it sounds complicated, but imo it would make things a lot simpler. Most people will disagree and for some good reasons, but ultimately I think this would benefit Habbox no end. Although I highly doubt it will happen and that's fair enough because it's not my decision to make, I thought I'd throw my ideas out there anyway just to see what people think.

[Inseriousity.]

lol it makes no sense. If it made sense, I'd step aside and let them get on with it. Events and comps are two different jobs. One requires your own furni, the other doesn't. One requires being an active Habbo player, the other doesn't. One takes a lot of time and commitment (events), the other doesn't. Big campaigns can still be done, it's not like keeping the two seperated prevents that from happening however I think you'd see a decline in both if they were to merge.

[Nixt]

lol it makes no sense. If it made sense, I'd step aside and let them get on with it. Events and comps are two different jobs. One requires your own furni, the other doesn't. One requires being an active Habbo player, the other doesn't. One takes a lot of time and commitment (events), the other doesn't. Big campaigns can still be done, it's not like keeping the two seperated prevents that from happening however I think you'd see a decline in both if they were to merge.

I disagree, they are only different because Habbox has made them different. The events team struggle to retain staff because of the fact they have to provide their own furni, merging the two means furni comes directly from Habbox as it should be. All Staff should be active on Habbo and getting the name out there, you are merely extending the roles of the staff within the departments, reducing the amount of overall competitions - yes, but improving their quality and value at the same time. Of course you are entitled to disagree and I see where you are coming from but I see no reason to have a separate entity for the running of forum competitions and merging the two is a step in the right direction when it comes to increasing overall department exposure and efficiency when it comes to getting the name out there.

Events and Competitions focus too much on entertaining current members. A huge part of their mandate is to attract NEW members.

Of course you are free to disagree (knew you and Alex would, ly guys xoxox) but I do think it would be beneficial. I wouldn't worry though - it's never going to happen is it.

[Josh]

I agree and it'd be nice to see some positive change which will help. However, when I read it, I thought I was reading through a game suggestion that will never happen and it's sad that's what I think.

[Inseriousity.]

Actually competitions department doesn't bother with current members, our competitions 'target audience' has always been new members hence our slightly-irritating advertising campaigns as you yourself noted when you wrote our department report. If current members want to join in then hooray! I think furni should come from Habbox anyway, you don't really need to merge the two to achieve that. Of course, I agree with quality not quantity however you're saying that giving people more work will increase quality? I highly doubt that.

The reason to keep them seperate is that is much simpler with the current system so that the balance is kept right rather than the inequalities and therefore ineffiency (I have no idea how you think merging them will make them more efficient). It also gives staff a choice. Events staff might not want to do competitions and competitions staff might not want to do events and I certainly wouldn't want to lose staff because of that lack of choice, therefore making applications for said merged department more difficult and therefore less quality.

[Minstrels]

In my opinion management should be run in the style of a football club such as Real Madrid, the system of a president voted by the fans is a good one and stops management hiring friends. For example if the forum manager was going to leave they would draw up a list of people they believe would be suitable replacements (this could include anyone from assistant forum manager to someone such as Robbie with no current input to HxF but who could do a job).

The people on this list would then do a mini-campaign, showing what they could offer to the role and what they would plan to do with the forum. Nothing major, a simple thread bullet pointing what they will do. A poll would then be created (public and with voters names showing). Winner of the poll would then get the role.

After six months this role would then be reviewed by the forum to see if the users feel the person has stuck by what they say and haven't got the role on a pack of lies, this review could happen before six months if it's considered an emergency. Should the users feel the person is doing a good job, they stay. If not? Well they'd be sacked off and the previous list of people would do another mini campaign of what they would bring however this poll would now be missing one person compared to the original.

This would allow for a user not recommended by the old management (before the failed one who the forum got rid of for lying) to recommend themselves to be put on the poll. If only one spot on the poll was available and two people applied then they would have a mini campaign and a mini poll between them to see who the users feel to be the better candidate for the main poll. This would allow users such as Robbie who management may not like for whatever reason to have a fair shot at getting the job. It would also prevent management from hiring friends as it's the forum users selecting who they want.

It's too easy for the management to get selected for whatever reason when other people could probably do a better job. It would stop management from slacking as they'd need to be at the top of the game for the majority of the time.

Now I cba typing any more because I need to get ready to get drunkened but you get the idea and HxF will probably hate it because it's "too dangerous". But it stops backstabbing, friends being hired, forum blaming management as they're the ones who elected them etc. Did I read the OP? No, I'll read it later, sorry I'm ignorant but I cba making my own thread for that lil post.

[Nixt]

Efficiency would be easily achieved by reducing the number of overall competitions and twinning competitions with events forum and site based. I'm not talking about merging the two and have you all doing exactly the same as you are doing now, because that would be inefficient and pointless. Rather than repeated competitions with a little opener and asking members to post their response / PM Habbox Comps, it would increase communication and cooperation between departments and allow for an increase in Habbox events across the board. It's a key way of breaking down a barrier than it is in my opinion pointless. Within the department you could have people who specialise in either forum or habbo events, and if anyone objected it wouldn't be very difficult to find more people willing. I see you reasoning against it but I personally think that it's all a bit old fashioned and real exposure and achievement for both competitions and events could be achieved by having the two work together intrinsically (i.e. in the form of a merger) and create bigger, better campaigns that are much more effective at drawing in and retaining new members to Habbox.com and the forum. I personally could see that working, you cannot. I guess it's a case of agree to disagree.

EDIT: @ Spuds. That most certainly wouldn't stop ********, backstabbing or hiring of friends etc? It would increase it. Members of Habbox are not professional individuals who have managerial experience. You become a manager after spending time in the positions that you are expected to manage. Having any randomer doing it would be detrimental and the current bias (not that I believe there is huge amounts) would be even worse.

[Josh]

If not a "merger" for competitions and events, they could at least cooperate a little more. They seem really distant etc.

[Inseriousity.]

If you're going to seperate them when you merge them, it's rather pointless. The two can still work together and have real exposure and achievement, communication and co-operation, you don't really need a merger to achieve that. It's not old fashioned to leave something as it is if it's successful and figures would suggest to me that the competitions department is currently on a high. So yes, it does look like a case of agree to disagree.

edit: oh forgot to mention that there's a lot of admin work that goes into comps (giving out prizes etc).

[Robbie]

someone such as Robbie

Love you too.