I applied for the CEO position...

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**talljosh85**

You failed to read and said that being a wall of text, it must therefore be poorly written? A wall of text is called a paragraph. If the formatting after being copied and pasted into an internet forum is going to stop you from reading, I'd call you lazy.

**LumenPraebeo**

You did submit this along with a resume in front of it, with a list of extensive experience heading an enterprise, right? Or at least extensive study and training working with someone who did? I'm afraid even then, a letter just doesn't cut it. You need to make phone calls, and lots of them.

**weeble1000**

LumenPraebeo wrote:
You did submit this along with a resume in front of it, with a list of extensive experience heading an enterprise, right? Or at least extensive study and training working with someone who did? I'm afraid even then, a letter just doesn't cut it. You need to make phone calls, and lots of them.

It was, of course, GW's humorously ridiculous job posting specifically requesting only a letter, and Kirby's statements in the financial report describing hiring board members without looking at resumes that prompted the OP to send this letter in the first place.

Just saying...

**Sean_OBrien**

weeble1000 wrote:
LumenPraebeo wrote:
You did submit this along with a resume in front of it, with a list of extensive experience heading an enterprise, right? Or at least extensive study and training working with someone who did? I'm afraid even then, a letter just doesn't cut it. You need to make phone calls, and lots of them.

It was, of course, GW's humorously ridiculous job posting specifically requesting only a letter, and Kirby's statements in the financial report describing hiring board members without looking at resumes that prompted the OP to send this letter in the first place.

Just saying...

To quote the KirbMeister...

Let me dilate about this letter. Last year I wrote here about our recruitment process, and shortly afterwards we recruited a new nonexecutive
director (NXD) using the method described. We got a great (not good, great) new board member. She is still surprised that I did
not read her CV (exasperated would be a more accurate word) but there was no need. Her letter told us what kind of person she was:
sincere, open-minded, a learner, excited at the opportunity. The interview told us she had all the qualities needed. It mattered not one jot
what her CV said. Appointing NXDs because of their careers rather than who they are is at the heart of the rot in the corporate world.

**prplehippo**

So basically if you aren't a very good writer and don't catch the attention of whatever HR monkey happens to read it you won't get the job regardless of how much experience you have or how good you are at doing it.

That worries me (as an HR manager myself).

**Davor**

talljosh85 wrote:
You failed to read and said that being a wall of text, it must therefore be poorly written? A wall of text is called a paragraph. If the formatting after being copied and pasted into an internet forum is going to stop you from reading, I'd call you lazy.

Or it's just hard to read and I don't want my headache any worse and will read later?

Also if you can't take the time to format it properly in any format, I guess he will fit just in with GW, copy/paste and don't do any checking afterwards.

Uh, that is why it was done. To show he is just like GW, lazy copy/pasting and can lead the company now.

LOL

**StormKing**

I hate to be the guy who says it but you aren't getting the job or an interview lol

Not trying to hate or anything like that, I mean if you wanted to apply then its good you did. I just feel that when you apply for a job (any job) let's say you are applying for a history professor at a university or something. You don't say "I have been reading history books since I was a kid I'd be great at the job, I also have a college diploma in health education but I would still be good for the job"

Please don't take it the wrong way or anything I am saying this as nice as my Canadian roots can lol
They are looking for a company CEO not a hobbyist.

Just my opinion tho (I'm certainly not going to apply lol)

**Platuan4th**

chiefbigredman wrote:
I hate to be the guy who says it but you aren't getting the job or an interview lol

Not trying to hate or anything like that, I mean if you wanted to apply then its good you did. I just feel that when you apply for a job (any job) let's say you are applying for a history professor at a university or something. You don't say "I have been reading history books since I was a kid I'd be great at the job, I also have a college diploma in health education but I would still be good for the job"

Please don't take it the wrong way or anything I am saying this as nice as my Canadian roots can lol
They are looking for a company CEO not a hobbyist.

Just my opinion tho (I'm certainly not going to apply lol)

Context, Context, Context.

Kirby himself in the last financial report stated that they don't hire based on experience and CVs, they hire based on attitude and then outright stated that said philosophy continues to the highest level and that they will be looking for someone with the right attitude for the new CEO. So showing that you're passionate about the company more than just about business is important to what they're looking for.

They may be looking for a CEO, but they're not necessarily looking for a CEO, if you get my drift.

**Howard A Treesong**

They probably already have someone in mind for the job. The truth is probably that if you were called for interview it would just be to go through the motions and for comparative purposes, you wouldn't really be in with a shot.

**angelofvengeance**

Best of luck to you. Be the change!

**weeble1000**

Howard A Treesong wrote:
They probably already have someone in mind for the job. The truth is probably that if you were called for interview it would just be to go through the motions and for comparative purposes, you wouldn't really be in with a shot.

Uhhhh...I don't think the OP actually ever thought that he would get an interview, much less the job. That's, like, not what the letter is about...

It seems strange that people aren't really getting this.

**Rayvon**

Nice one !!

I am quite amused by the smart arse comments that totally miss the point as well.

**Mr. Burning**

i can see it now.

OP sitting in front of Kirby, High backed chair topped by the hunched figure of Merritt repeatedly squaking 'TRADEMARK!'

Staff cower and moan in their cubicle prison cells. The planner for Forgeworlds releases to 2020 covered by the words SPACE MARINES - written in blood.

Kirby is ignoring the OP's presence, being on the phone to one of his many operatives.
'You tell those Polack thieves that i'll finish what Hitler and Stalin started! I have enough on my plate! My new CEO has arrived for orientation'.

**Barfolomew**

Anyone who wants CEO needs to a send a letter that looks like this:

As CEO, I will focus on sales margin and paying the stock dividend above all else. GW has such a wealth of IP, which I will staunchly defend, and is so unparalleled in miniature quality that the customers will follow the business's lead. Emphasizing the exclusivity of GWs premium product is the path best followed.

**Mr. Burning**

Barfolomew wrote:
Anyone who wants CEO needs to a send a letter that looks like this:

As CEO, I will focus on sales margin and paying the stock dividend above all else. GW has such a wealth of IP, which I will staunchly defend, and is so unparalleled in miniature quality that the customers will follow the business's lead. Emphasizing the exclusivity of GWs premium product is the path best followed.

Mike drop!

Should you send that the Dakka presence at interview will increase by +1.

**prplehippo**

Barfolomew wrote:
Anyone who wants CEO needs to a send a letter that looks like this:

As CEO, I will focus on sales margin and paying the stock dividend above all else. GW has such a wealth of IP, which I will staunchly defend, and is so unparalleled in miniature quality that the customers will follow the business's lead. Emphasizing the exclusivity of GWs premium product is the path best followed.

Isn't that just what the last guy did?

I find it hard to believe that the board at GW isn't looking for someone to just "tow the company line" again and tell them what they want to hear.

**Phobos**

These threads are fun in the same way as "what I would do if I won the lottery" fantasies are, but that is all they are.

If anyone here even slightly thinks this is any more than a fantasy, I have a bridge in New York City to sell you.

**Xca|iber**

prplehippo wrote:
Barfolomew wrote:
Anyone who wants CEO needs to a send a letter that looks like this:

As CEO, I will focus on sales margin and paying the stock dividend above all else. GW has such a wealth of IP, which I will staunchly defend, and is so unparalleled in miniature quality that the customers will follow the business's lead. Emphasizing the exclusivity of GWs premium product is the path best followed.

Isn't that just what the last guy did?

I find it hard to believe that the board at GW isn't looking for someone to just "tow the company line" again and tell them what they want to hear.

**lordbrooks**

Thanks for the replies gents! Just a rare opportunity to send the ol' boys some feedback that might actually get read. Kind of like when dad wrote angry letters to Ford when his truck broke down. GW's like a pretty girl with a terrible personality, and I just don't get it. Positive discussion in our community makes it more likely that we'll be taken seriously, appreciate seeing some humanity here in the forums.

**Occhiolini**

Lets all just get 3-D printers and make our own models.

**gorgon**

Howard A Treesong wrote:
They probably already have someone in mind for the job. The truth is probably that if you were called for interview it would just be to go through the motions and for comparative purposes, you wouldn't really be in with a shot.

Obviously, or else they wouldn't be having that designated interview day. If they were conducting a genuine search, they'd have to work around executives' busy schedules, and would want to spend at least a 24-hour period with each candidate.

**rigeld2**

Loborocket wrote:
I am not even talking about systemic change. I am talking about something as simple as sharing plans for development with customers as was suggested in the OP. Something like that is difficult. Say GW says they will be doing a Blood Angels and Necron codex in the next quarter. Now some un-foreseen circumstance prevent them from delivering on that announcement. As a company they are now un-able to recognize any revenue for the WHOLE COMPANY until those cod exes are divered. This is because of SEC regulations. Someone may have purchased stock based on that announcement so they must deliver to recognize revenue. So this kind of rule makes it difficult to be transparent about these kind of things.

Just think about how Apple does this kind of thing, they never release details about a product until they are sure they have product to deliver. You might hear rumors etc, but those do not come from Apple in any "official" way. Same thing for GW. So even if they became more customer focused, woe people get what they are looking for? Probay not.

There are ways to announce what the next release will be and contain without setting a date. It happens in lots of places.

**Fishboy**

I almost put in for this and I do believe there was a request for resume as we'll. I have a strong business background but don't wish to move to England to work. I also would have difficulty getting to Nottingham on the 7th. If they use the same recruitment method for a US business manager then I might throw my hat in the ring. At some point they need to reinvest in their customer base if they want long term growth and stability. The board and investors will have to make a decision if they want short term double digit growth and a shrinking customer base or a growing customer base that has a lower ROI short term but larger ROI long term.

**Loborocket**

rigeld2 wrote:
Loborocket wrote:
I am not even talking about systemic change. I am talking about something as simple as sharing plans for development with customers as was suggested in the OP. Something like that is difficult. Say GW says they will be doing a Blood Angels and Necron codex in the next quarter. Now some un-foreseen circumstance prevent them from delivering on that announcement. As a company they are now un-able to recognize any revenue for the WHOLE COMPANY until those cod exes are divered. This is because of SEC regulations. Someone may have purchased stock based on that announcement so they must deliver to recognize revenue. So this kind of rule makes it difficult to be transparent about these kind of things.

Just think about how Apple does this kind of thing, they never release details about a product until they are sure they have product to deliver. You might hear rumors etc, but those do not come from Apple in any "official" way. Same thing for GW. So even if they became more customer focused, woe people get what they are looking for? Probay not.

There are ways to announce what the next release will be and contain without setting a date. It happens in lots of places.

It is not about setting a date it is about announcing specific plans for features/product. If the information is too specific these rules around revenue recognition kick in because someone may have bought stock on those specific plans. At least that is how it works for the company I work for. We hear these kind of complaints about being secretive and stuff from our customers all the time but can't really do anything about it.

**rigeld2**

Loborocket wrote:
rigeld2 wrote:
Loborocket wrote:
I am not even talking about systemic change. I am talking about something as simple as sharing plans for development with customers as was suggested in the OP. Something like that is difficult. Say GW says they will be doing a Blood Angels and Necron codex in the next quarter. Now some un-foreseen circumstance prevent them from delivering on that announcement. As a company they are now un-able to recognize any revenue for the WHOLE COMPANY until those cod exes are divered. This is because of SEC regulations. Someone may have purchased stock based on that announcement so they must deliver to recognize revenue. So this kind of rule makes it difficult to be transparent about these kind of things.

Just think about how Apple does this kind of thing, they never release details about a product until they are sure they have product to deliver. You might hear rumors etc, but those do not come from Apple in any "official" way. Same thing for GW. So even if they became more customer focused, woe people get what they are looking for? Probay not.

There are ways to announce what the next release will be and contain without setting a date. It happens in lots of places.

It is not about setting a date it is about announcing specific plans for features/product. If the information is too specific these rules around revenue recognition kick in because someone may have bought stock on those specific plans. At least that is how it works for the company I work for. We hear these kind of complaints about being secretive and stuff from our customers all the time but can't really do anything about it.

At least in the software world you can be pretty specific with Beta as long as you also say that there's no guarantees it'll make it to GA.
And with the proper wording, GW could as well.

**Loborocket**

Yes we can run beta programs with customers under NDA and GW could probably figure out a way to do this. I was trying to point out it is simple to say GW "needs to be open to their customers" on a stupid internet discussion board. It is a totally different thing to ACTUALLY make that happen and I might not totally be in GWs control because of these kinds of legal hurdles.

**rigeld2**

Loborocket wrote:
Yes we can run beta programs with customers under NDA and GW could probably figure out a way to do this. I was trying to point out it is simple to say GW "needs to be open to their customers" on a stupid internet discussion board. It is a totally different thing to ACTUALLY make that happen and I might not totally be in GWs control because of these kinds of legal hurdles.

Just FYI, you don't always need NDAs either. I know for a fact we do Open Betas, for example. Part of that might be because we deal with Open Source software, but still.

**master of ordinance**

Sorry mate but I also applied. Best of luck though

**Loborocket**

rigeld2 wrote:
Loborocket wrote:
Yes we can run beta programs with customers under NDA and GW could probably figure out a way to do this. I was trying to point out it is simple to say GW "needs to be open to their customers" on a stupid internet discussion board. It is a totally different thing to ACTUALLY make that happen and I might not totally be in GWs control because of these kinds of legal hurdles.

Just FYI, you don't always need NDAs either. I know for a fact we do Open Betas, for example. Part of that might be because we deal with Open Source software, but still.

I understand the concept of open betas and technology previews, etc... we have those kinds of situation too, but there is a complex legal landscape surrounding all of this.

To bring this back to the topic at hand, how to "fix" a company, a software platform, whatever, to someone on the outside APPEARS simple but in reality is very complex. Seeing "how the sausage is made" so to speak might change your ideas about what needs fixing and how it can be fixed. Threads like this are fairly pointless in the simple fact that most of us as consumers and players of the game we know next to NOTHING about running a multi-national company that produces games. Just because someone uses my company's software does not mean they know anythign about the development process or what is "simple" to code. Thre are just so many things we do not know about the business.

**Azreal13**

Agreed, one could apply the "nobody can really understand a relationship unless they're in it" maxim to a business, or at least a business sector that one doesn't have first hand experience of.

Equally though, there are certain universal truths one can apply to a consumer business, regardless of market sector, structure or anything else. Additionally, one can infer from how GW are going about recruiting their new CEO that they don't feel you need to know anything about their business to run it either, just the right "attitude."