Common Goals?

Conflict Management at a Premier League Football Club

Monday 12 October 2015

Alex Byars, Director of Strategic Projects, Everton Football Club

Overview

• Everton’s organisational structure and my role

• Behavioural Culture at a Premier League football club

• Examples of conflict

• Conflict challenges

• Common goals

Organisational Structure

Chairman &

Board of Directors

Chief Executive

Officer

Deputy Chief

Executive Officer

First Team

Manager

First Team Academy Commercial Marketing

& Media Operations

Support

(Finance,

Legal, IT, HR)

Strategic

Projects

Behavioural Culture at a PL Football Club

High Speed Tight Deadlines

Results Driven Reactive

Examples of Conflict 1: Transfers

“Everton have rejected a transfer request from John Stones. John is not for sale and he will remain a highly

valued member of our first-team squad.” Bill Kenwright, Chairman, Everton Football Club

Examples of Conflict 2: Ticket Pricing

Examples of Conflict 2: Ticket Pricing

High

Low

Quality of Seating

Ticket Prices

Fill Goodison

Marketing

and Fans

Maximise Revenue

Commercial

and Finance

Examples of Conflict 2: Ticket Pricing

Matchday Revenue (£m) 108.8

108.1

42.5

50.9

20.8

47.5

29.0

25.9 22.7

20.5 21.9

19.3 15.0

25.0

35.0

45.0

55.0

65.0

75.0

85.0

95.0

105.0

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Mark

et

Lead

ers

(£m

)

Manchester United

Liverpool

Manchester City

Newcastle United

Aston Villa

Everton

2013/14 Average

Revenue per Match

£3.9m

£2.4m

£1.6m

£1.2m

£0.9m

£0.8m

28 matches

21 matches

30 matches

22 matches

22 matches

23 matches

Examples of Conflict 3: Prioritisation

Short Term Priorities vs Long Term Objectives

“I love it when a plan comes together”

Conflict Challenges 1: New Stadium

Conflict Challenges 2: (Track)suits

Your place or

mine?

Conflict Challenges 3: Small But Diverse

300 Staff

Common goals

On Pitch Success

Star Players

Buy Develop

Operating

Effectiveness

Matchday

Income

Commercial

Income

Broadcast

Income

Knowledge

&

Insight

Participation

(Club/Members)

Being

Easy to Buy From

Memorable

Matchdays

Cash (£m)

What does success look like?

Why does it matter?

Questions

?