Taking Over

[Odd Fact]

I find myself in the position to take over an existing forum. The community has ben dwindling for several years now. However I feel there is a strong chance of rebuilding the site. I have a recovery plan (thanks to some help on that one). The next step is to prepare informing the current administration of the change. While the legal agreements are finalized I want to prepare for the change.

So my first quest for knowledge and opinion is how to transition the current admins. One of which is not open to change of ownership.

[Jan]

Do you have admin access yet? How far have you got with the actual acquirement?

[SoftWareRevue]

...While the legal agreements are finalized I want to prepare for the change.How long before that's final?

And would you rather have this thread in the public forums so you can get more feedback? This forum doesn't have many that have access. It's staff only right now.

[writespeak]

The next step is to prepare informing the current administration of the change.

My first thought is to find out if the current owner can post an announcement about the change. A good introduction with the reasons you were chosen would be a valuable first step IMO.

Once you do that, you could post (publicly or privately, or maybe some of each) the ideas you have for rebuilding the community. That would also help show why you're the person in charge now.

So my first quest for knowledge and opinion is how to transition the current admins. One of which is not open to change of ownership.

That part will be trickier. One thing I'd do is praise the previous person in charge for what s/he accomplished, or just thank that person for all his/her work. That would make you look good too. :)

Lois

[Odd Fact]

Do you have admin access yet? How far have you got with the actual acquirement?Yes I already have admin access but only that at this time.

How long before that's final?I don't think to long. The documents are being made now.

And would you rather have this thread in the public forums so you can get more feedback? This forum doesn't have many that have access. It's staff only right now.That might be alright.

[Odd Fact]

A good introduction with the reasons you were chosen would be a valuable first step.That is a good idea. I will ask them about that.

Once you do that, you could post (publicly or privately, or maybe some of each) the ideas you have for rebuilding the community. That would also help show why you're the person in charge now.This might work. Altough the recovery plan is just common sense. Plans of action that the members have heard before. The difference is making change happen.

[writespeak]

I've been thinking about my teaching days and how a new admin is kind of like a new teacher. At the language school where I taught, the sessions were 4 weeks, so new classes were routine. The first class of each session was important in setting the tone for the session. Students were looking for this type of information:


Is the new teacher friendly and helpful?
Will the teacher answer my questions in a clear way and make learning a positive experience?
Will the teacher handle any problems effectively?
Will the class [forum] activities be interesting and fun for me?
What materials will we use to learn from?
What are the [learning] goals?
What are the teacher's rules for us?
How will the teacher react to mistakes?
How much homework [expected time commitment] will there be?


When I started as a Liaison at WHT, I spent a lot of time observing the leadership there to make sure the style suited me. As you know, it did. :spin: Substituting "leader" for "teacher," the above questions are probably similar to the ones that staff and other members will be asking themselves about you and your leadership.

When you get and keep the right tone, most other things fall into place.

Lois

[Jan]

Yes I already have admin access but only that at this time.
Thanks. First off you could test the waters by posting a thread in the admin section. If they don't have one, make one ;) Let the current admin know what your goals are for the forum, and changes that will, in the long term benefit both the forum and the current members and future members. Hopefully a few past members will return once they see some positive activity there :)

[Odd Fact]

Thanks Lois and Jan. Both are good ideas. I agree that calming the current staff is a good idea. I am not here to remove anyone but to help motivate new growth.

[CD Burnt]

get real control first before making any announcement.

get primary admin rights, get admin control of the webspace so you can backup the entire thing, and get control of the domain name.

get a full backup before announcing, in case there is trouble.

[Odd Fact]

Yes I will get access to all source files and make backups. One condition will be to assume hosting so I will be moving the community as well.

[SoftWareRevue]

I have some experience in this. Except it wasn't to the extent of actually becoming the forum owner. However, I've been in a few positions of introducing myself and assuming the role of an owner. (The role as it pertains to managing a community). I'll just relate my experience and you can take what you want from it.

In each case, I studied the community and noted members' and staffs' concerns.

After I had a basic understanding of what was needed, I implemented the ones that needed the greatest attention.

I then began evaluating staff. It doesn't take too long to figure out if any are actually involved in the betterment of the community. If they were inactive (I'd usually use a month as a cutoff date) I returned them to registered.

Then I'd go about starting a thread in the staff forum. If there wasn't a staff forum *gasp* I'd create one before starting a thread in it. :P

I introduced myself to them. Explained what I had learned to be the concerns. Tell them my views on those matters. And ask for their advice. (All the time assuring them that I am only there to help)

From there, I'd do the same basic thread within the site's feedback forum. Addressing the members. Telling them what I had learned and what I perceived. And asking their advice.

The most important thing is to be honest in your goals and faithful in your execution. If you say you're going to do something, do it. You need to present a strong presence. They (both staff and members) need to know that you are a person of your words and not just someone presenting empty promises.

And for gosh sakes, leave the pirate pants at home! :out:

[Jan]

If you say you're going to do something, do it.
No procrastinating! :smash:

[SoftWareRevue]

Procrastination is bad; mkay? :blush:


On an unrelated subject, and one I believe to be important in these situations . . .

Setting a good tone in the beginning should be your focus. Whatever sound you want that tone to be, set it early. :)

[Odd Fact]

Yes setting a positive tone is a must. I want the current staff to be motivated to help the community grow. I understand there may be resentment to a new owner but my goal is the better of the community. I am lucky that through WHT and FU I now know people who are very skilled in written communication. Which will be a help.

I am just wondering if I should contact the current head administrator personally for a heads up or address the whole staff at one time.

[Jan]

Have you had contact with the head admin yet? One would think if you had admin access that *someone* would have had to give you that access.

If you had contact already, what was his/her feelings to a "newbie admin" :p If this is the one that was against change of ownership, then maybe address all the staff at once.

[SoftWareRevue]

... I am just wondering if I should contact the current head administrator personally for a heads up or address the whole staff at one time.Whole staff.

Just sit them down on the couch. :couch:

And discuss. :discuss:

[Odd Fact]

I was given access by another admin. I have not had direct contact when the head admin about this subject.

However there is some unrest with the members so I may need to make an announcement sooner that planned. I was waiting for the agreement to be complete and to have complete access.

[CD Burnt]

hmmm. so do you have the ability to demote all the other admins, while not being demoted yourself?

do you have control of the webspace yet? the domain?

[Odd Fact]

I guess I could demote the staff but do not plan to at this time. I do not have control of the domain and host at this time. After finalizing the agreement I will have access to the domain and will need to move the site.

[Tyler]

Demoting staff I think should not be your first action. Restore user faith, and then begin to deal with the inactive user accounts. Show the staff that you are the boss, and if they do not like how the place is right now, they can leave or help out. Staff should be helping you during this transition, and not criticizing anything. They should not "gang up with users", not saying they are or anything, though. :) Least, IMHO.

[Odd Fact]

That is the idea Tyler to focus on the postive aspects of recovery and growth.

[Jan]

It seems you may have a few teething problems once you get the all clear, but if you stick with it, stay positive, then hopefully things will take a turn for the better in salvaging a near dead forum :)

Good Luck Steve :beer: If you need any help, give me a hoy!

[CD Burnt]

I wasn't suggesting you demote them all; just have the ability to demote a troublemaking admin/mod.

If you cannot demote anyone, you might be demoted yourself.

[Odd Fact]

Yes I will need to maintain control. I am in a holding pattern right now. As I am not sure if I should inform the staff without having paperwork done and access to source files.

I would like to move along to keep members from asking to many questions and felling let down.

[Lurker]

What's the latest on this?

[sandrodz]

domain name is the key, without it website is worthless... try to get it first, than admin password and hosting usr/pass will follow :)

good luck though

[SoftWareRevue]

What's the latest on this?Yeah. Where is that odd dude with the upate?

Lay it on us, big guy! :clap:

[Odd Fact]

Still in Limbo waiting. I would like some documents, passwords,logins, etc to confirm the transfer before spouting the news. Pity because the members seem to notive a lack of development and action.

[Jan]

Tell em to get their butt into gear! :bkick:

Must be awfully frustratiing for you, you want to get moving and improving, but there is a spanner in the way :(

[writespeak]

...but there is a spanner in the way :(

Or maybe a wrench (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrench). :P

Lois

[Jan]

Throwing a wrench in the works doesn't sound right. It has always been a spanner :P

[Odd Fact]

The legal process is in the works. On the other hand I have had contact with the head admin and feel positive about the response. The admin is staying on to help the community grow. I believe we have a good start with the staff at hand.

The next step is informing the other staff members. I originally wanted to wait until the agreement is finished. I am concerned with the morale of the staff and the members. They are grumbling about the lack of action. Is it safe to inform the staff and involve them in developing and scheduling the recovery?

[Jan]

That might ease the atmosphere somewhat :)

[SoftWareRevue]

... Is it safe to inform the staff and involve them in developing and scheduling the recovery?If you're comfortable with the staff, I'd tell them.

It would help them understand what's been happening and give them hope for the future.

If you just explain that it isn't for public release, I'm sure it'll go over well. :)

[Odd Fact]

SWR that is my leaning. I do not want the staff to loose interest and feel neglected. Maybe start with the other admins and then rest of staff.

One concern is the owner since the information is not public and the agreement not final. I guess I need to send a quick email and see if they have any concerns with the staff knowing.

[SoftWareRevue]

... I need to send a quick email and see if they have any concerns with the staff knowing.Sounds like a great place to start. :)

Send that email yet? :spin:

[adb22791]

Or maybe a wrench (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrench). :P


I didn't know there were so many types of wrenches...


Alex

[Odd Fact]

Email sent. I would like to start discussing the transition with the admins at least.

[Odd Fact]

I have been cleared to inform the admistration. So now to type up a nice announcement.

[SoftWareRevue]

Great news! Now you'll be able to get a couple things settled. :)

[Odd Fact]

Posted an annoucement and nothing exploded! Let's see that happens now. This really is an amusement ride.

[writespeak]

Posted an annoucement and nothing exploded! Let's see that happens now. This really is an amusement ride.

Sounds good! :)

Lois

[Lurker]

Keep us updated :) Glad you didn't break nuffin :D

[Tyler]

Keep us updated :)...

Where's our update?! :angry:




:D

[Odd Fact]

Still waiting on the agreement. :(

[SoftWareRevue]

Well, that's an update. :S

[CD Burnt]

what do the members think of the change?

any forum discussions about it?

[Jan]

Any progress yet Steve?

[Odd Fact]

I just received the agreement. I need to review and submit back for final approval!

[SoftWareRevue]

Great news! Now get it reviewed and sent back. :)

[Jan]

Progress!!! :beer:

[Odd Fact]

Working on changes now!

[Odd Fact]

Paperwork signed and returned for completion.

[CD Burnt]

what sort of issues have caused this to drag out over three months?

[Jan]

Paperwork signed and returned for completion.
Progress finally :grandpa:

[Odd Fact]

what sort of issues have caused this to drag out over three months?A little dragging on both sides. That last one was my pc crash. It took me almost 3 weeks to find out a corrected copy of the paperwork was sent.

All is well. I like and respect the current owners and look forward to this oppurtunity.

[TheDPQ]

It might be an interesting article for FU to have. How to handle taking over a site. What sort of issues did you have that you didn't expect, what issues did you think you were going to have but didn't. How did having legal work / paperwork effect the speed of the transaction. *shrugs*

[Jan]

Great idea TheDPQ :beer:

Maybe a collective of several different experiences in "taking over", from the simple, right through to the more complex experiences people have had.

[TheDPQ]

I see a lot of buying and selling of sites on yaxay, but its mostly 'i want ot sell XXX site' 'i want it' *pay pal transaction* DONE!!!

Maybe get some random people talking about their experiences and put together a level guide and what sort of things you have to worry about. On the low end its mostly paypal scams, or purchasing sites with an pirated forum software.

[Odd Fact]

That is my idea Jan. To document the process of exchange, transfer, and rebirth. I think the topics could help other.

[Odd Fact]

I have recieved an email copy of the signed paperwork and planning of the transfer ahs started!

[Odd Fact]

Ahh agreement complete and the site has been trasnferred.

[CD Burnt]

""site has been transferred""

what changed hands? domain name moved to your account? files copied? forum admin password? webhosting password? what?

[Odd Fact]

Due to a family illness I did not exchange passwords. Domains will be pushed to my account later. I already have admin access to the site.

The site is now on my server so I do have control. The previous owner did a great job of handling the trasnfer for me while I spent the day at the hospital.

[SoftWareRevue]

Maybe you can post some general stats now?

Might be interesting to compare in a year. :)



*Hospital? Hope everything's okay.

[Odd Fact]

mmm.. but which stats to post? Maybe get the stats from the previous owner' server.

[TheDPQ]

VB itself has some stats you could write down.

[Registration Statistics]
[User Activity Statistics]
[New Thread Statistics]
[New Post Statistics]

If you have access to logs or analytics you can figure out something like impressions per month, unique users, New / Returning users.

[Odd Fact]

Forum Stats for Sept 06.
[Registered Users] - 13,583
[New Registration Statistics] - 117
[User Activity Statistics] - 45 average
[New Thread Statistics]- 137
[New Post Statistics] - 417


Here are some preliminary daily average traffic numbers
Visits - 450
Hits - 37,083
Pages - 1,401

[Jan]

Should be interesting to see the October stats, once you get things rolling fully ;)

[Odd Fact]

October stats:
Threads - 41,377
Posts - 367,523
Members - 13,731

[New Registration Statistics] - 128
[New Thread Statistics]- 145
[New Post Statistics] - 470

Visits - 7,107
Pages - 9,820
Hits - 49,609

[DavidL]

hmm Does this forum somewhat rhyme with Yahtzee? :stickout:

[TheDPQ]

yaxay yak-zay supposed to sound like yack-say

[SoftWareRevue]

October stats:
Threads - 41,377
Posts - 367,523
Members - 13,731

[New Registration Statistics] - 128
[New Thread Statistics]- 145
[New Post Statistics] - 470

Visits - 7,107
Pages - 9,820
Hits - 49,609/me waits for teh November stats. :whistle:

[SoftWareRevue]

/me wonders what happened to the /me hack. :S

[Aussie Bob]

/me wonders what happened to the /me hack. :S
/me wonders the same thing. :think:

[SoftWareRevue]

I think that abd_dude needs to fix it for 3.6. :mad:

[TheDPQ]

Hrmm

/me tests

woo
/me tests again

woo


/me tests

[TheDPQ]

So it just doesn't work after quotes? I had to put two lines to get it to work.