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Chas, on 04 February 2010 - 07:34 AM, said:
As I have said before in this thread - this is too soon. The pain is still too raw for some people. For some there are the emotional and financial constraints. Not everybody has had a resolution from the first BotK kilt. I think that it would be a bit callous to move on while some brothers are still trying to catch up.
BUT
If KT and the mods think that the time is right to proceed, then it needs to be done correctly.
Before any new product is launched there is a period of market research. We need to do the same. The first thing that needs to be done is a census. How many active members (forum and paying) are there. The next question would be, would they be interested in the yardage only? This could be done by a blanket email to all members, giving them 28 days to respond. The first time round, minimum numbers could not be achieved from the paying members only, so all members must be included. They log in and vote: 1, I am active and 2, I would be interested in yardage only (a yes or no vote). We can not assume that all members would want to buy the tartan. We can not assume that all members like the tartan. (I am a XMTS member and I don't like the XMTS tartan.) Only then can any decisions be made.
This would let KT and the mods know the absolute maximum numbers they are dealing with. Once this number is established, then and only then, can a discussion of fabric start.
There is acrylic, PV and wool. Weights are 13oz and 16oz. This would give 6 possible choices - the 3 fabrics in the 2 weights. As we would be having the fabric woven, there are certain other things to consider - Modern, Muted, Weathered and Ancient are all differnt colourways of the original sett and colours. I believe the last run was in Modern, but the other 3 are equaly good looking and should be seriously considered. (That makes 24 possible choices!) There is also single width ~30" or double width ~60" to consider. Some mills have different prices for the different widths. Added to this is the possibility of people wanting fly plaids. A fly plaid is 40" x 40", which can only come from a double width loom. More rounds of voting till there is a clear favourite and a clear second favourite. Armed with the 2 choices, KT can then approach different mills for prices and timeframes.
Whilst everybody will have their own reasons and preferences in kilt design and fabric, I think this needs to be said. The first time round the Brotherhood went for 'cheap' - look what it got us! This time the watchword should be quality. We should aim for the highest possible quality that we can afford. To that end, I will say up front that I would only be interested in wool and 16oz (13oz, second choice). Acrylic or PV - I'm out - and I was one of the buyers of the first BotK kilt.
There has to be a 'chairman' for all discussions. He (or she) should be appointed by KT to oversee the process and the timeframe. That person should set the pace of progress, but people should know from the start how long they have to talk about something. Something along the lines of - "We will debate all the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic, PV and wool and why we prefer one rather than the other two. The discussion will last for 7 days and will finish on the XX of XX at 23:59. From that time onwards for 7 days there will be a period of voting which will finish on the XX of XX at 23:59. During voting there will be no further discussion till after the voting is finished. Discussions will be civil and on topic. Transgressors will be removed from the discussion and their vote will not be counted." Clear, concise and everybody will know what the rules are and what is expected of them.
All discussions, information and decisions must be on the public forum. All dissenting voices must be given a chance to be heard. Everybody's opinion must have the same value, because everybody's money has the same value. This time round, I want a say in how and where my money will be spent.
We must be prepared for people to fall by the wayside. It is not the fabric they want, or the weight. They cannot convince their wife. An unexpected debt has arisen. All these factors and more could drive someone out of the running. The chairman must update the census after each set of debate and voting. He must be aware of a possibility that not enough people want the fabric at this time and have the courage to call a halt to the process if a minimum number cannot be reached.
If done properly, this will and should be a slow and steady process, taking the maximum number of people with us on to the next stage. If it is rushed, we will shed people on the way.
It is said that people get the government that they deserve. If that is so, let us make it that we get the fabric that we deserve.
Regards
Chas
BUT
If KT and the mods think that the time is right to proceed, then it needs to be done correctly.
Before any new product is launched there is a period of market research. We need to do the same. The first thing that needs to be done is a census. How many active members (forum and paying) are there. The next question would be, would they be interested in the yardage only? This could be done by a blanket email to all members, giving them 28 days to respond. The first time round, minimum numbers could not be achieved from the paying members only, so all members must be included. They log in and vote: 1, I am active and 2, I would be interested in yardage only (a yes or no vote). We can not assume that all members would want to buy the tartan. We can not assume that all members like the tartan. (I am a XMTS member and I don't like the XMTS tartan.) Only then can any decisions be made.
This would let KT and the mods know the absolute maximum numbers they are dealing with. Once this number is established, then and only then, can a discussion of fabric start.
There is acrylic, PV and wool. Weights are 13oz and 16oz. This would give 6 possible choices - the 3 fabrics in the 2 weights. As we would be having the fabric woven, there are certain other things to consider - Modern, Muted, Weathered and Ancient are all differnt colourways of the original sett and colours. I believe the last run was in Modern, but the other 3 are equaly good looking and should be seriously considered. (That makes 24 possible choices!) There is also single width ~30" or double width ~60" to consider. Some mills have different prices for the different widths. Added to this is the possibility of people wanting fly plaids. A fly plaid is 40" x 40", which can only come from a double width loom. More rounds of voting till there is a clear favourite and a clear second favourite. Armed with the 2 choices, KT can then approach different mills for prices and timeframes.
Whilst everybody will have their own reasons and preferences in kilt design and fabric, I think this needs to be said. The first time round the Brotherhood went for 'cheap' - look what it got us! This time the watchword should be quality. We should aim for the highest possible quality that we can afford. To that end, I will say up front that I would only be interested in wool and 16oz (13oz, second choice). Acrylic or PV - I'm out - and I was one of the buyers of the first BotK kilt.
There has to be a 'chairman' for all discussions. He (or she) should be appointed by KT to oversee the process and the timeframe. That person should set the pace of progress, but people should know from the start how long they have to talk about something. Something along the lines of - "We will debate all the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic, PV and wool and why we prefer one rather than the other two. The discussion will last for 7 days and will finish on the XX of XX at 23:59. From that time onwards for 7 days there will be a period of voting which will finish on the XX of XX at 23:59. During voting there will be no further discussion till after the voting is finished. Discussions will be civil and on topic. Transgressors will be removed from the discussion and their vote will not be counted." Clear, concise and everybody will know what the rules are and what is expected of them.
All discussions, information and decisions must be on the public forum. All dissenting voices must be given a chance to be heard. Everybody's opinion must have the same value, because everybody's money has the same value. This time round, I want a say in how and where my money will be spent.
We must be prepared for people to fall by the wayside. It is not the fabric they want, or the weight. They cannot convince their wife. An unexpected debt has arisen. All these factors and more could drive someone out of the running. The chairman must update the census after each set of debate and voting. He must be aware of a possibility that not enough people want the fabric at this time and have the courage to call a halt to the process if a minimum number cannot be reached.
If done properly, this will and should be a slow and steady process, taking the maximum number of people with us on to the next stage. If it is rushed, we will shed people on the way.
It is said that people get the government that they deserve. If that is so, let us make it that we get the fabric that we deserve.
Regards
Chas
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