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NEW DIRECTION |
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20th June 2010 Members, THE ATLAS CLUB
New
Direction Technology has overtaken the old role of the club. In the past Atlas’s strength lay in the fact that it used it huge membership base to arrange discounted air travel, sea crises and accommodation etc. It ran super value package using air charters and massive block bookings, and it used its membership power to ”best buy” and import flavor of the month and specific items saving members a lot of money. The advent of the LCC (Low cost carriers) the internet booking engines, and on-line shopping have changed the name of the game. The previous board did not react to change, in much the same as many licensed club boards have found their membership and turnovers dwindling as the old model faded. In Atlas even our Travel Cash program, the most of favorite of activities, had been left to run down, and our cost effective insurance needs to be broadened. The Old
Board is back After 35 years of operation the club is faced with two options. Either is can cease to operate or it can fight back be reinventing itself. We have decided to take the latter path and
accordingly at an extraordinary meeting in April 2010 the existing board
resigned and a new board was elected by the members. Most of the new
Board consists of many of the Directors of the original board that saw
the club grow from a small wine club in the The new Board members are: Michael Bartlett – President (an original founding member and President) Robert Gibson – Member of the original board Michelle Richards – New Board Member Michael Heathcote – Member of the original Board It is the Board’s intention to appoint one more Director and discussions are taking place to accommodate this position. Where to
now? The club has to move into the 21st technological world. We have to remake our website to change from an information board to an active entertaining environment, and the activities of the club need to change to fit this environment. Ever Ready Rewards Atlas intends revamping its Travel Cash reward points program, because this has always been a winner and has allowed many members to enjoy a bundle of free activities and reduced price travel and shopping. We are going to change the name and enlarge the rewards points program by firstly renaming it as Ever Ready Rewards. We intend to bring in thousands of outside merchants, service providers and product lines, so that it will be the easiest reward points program in which to quickly accumulate worthwhile amounts of points. The points will have a redeemable value tied to real money with each point equal to one cent, so that the value of the accumulated points can easily be calculated, unlike the Everyday rewards and Fly buy programs. Ever Ready Reward points will be able to be used with real money, so that they can be used at any time, reducing even the lowest price of something by the amount of Ever Ready Rewards put towards the purchase. Ever Ready Rewards can be used towards the purchase of almost any item the member wishes to purchase and can even be used to purchase once off debit cards, thereby converting the reward points into cash. Ever Ready Rewards will be transferable between members either by gift, sale or swaps. Ever Ready Rewards will play an active role in a wider number of competitions, games and events. Video Ads The Club will accelerate its funny video ads for products and services all linked to an opportunity to earn Ever Ready Rewards. Additionally we will feature a product of the week, which again will allow by its purchase the opportunity to earn more Ever Ready Rewards. Merchants, Service Providers and Products The club will develop a list of merchants, service providers and products, at the website which can be accessed by post code, that are participating in the Ever Ready Rewards program. Naturally this will take time to build, but when completed it will offer the biggest variety of places to earn Ever Ready Rewards, of any loyalty program presently on offer. To facilitate the expansion of the Ever Ready Rewards program into different areas, we will appoint casual area representatives who will call on new and existing Ever Ready Rewards outlets and also service local member events and deliveries. This represents an opportunity to earn some extra cash. Travel Videos Atlas is going to run in-depth travel videos at the website, featuring different destinations and where to stay, what to see and do, along the same line as the TV shows, except that the member will be able to view the video at a time when it is suitable to them. The video will contain views of hotels and amenities and an opportunity to buy a limited offer special to the featured destination. Cooking videos Each week a master chef will present a number of recipes via a video featuring in season products and recommendations. Wine Club The Wine Club will move to a video format and will visit wineries or bars of interest, and experts will discuss the wines. Restaurants Select restaurants will visited by video and the food and staff interviewed. This will be done on a state by state and city/town by city/town. Wherever possible we will try to arrange a special for the featured restaurant and of course if members dine there they will earn more Ever Ready Rewards. Last Tix Last Tix will go live via video. Whenever a special is available it will be featured in video format and subject to availability members will be able to buy a true bargain. Last Bite Last Bite is a new feature which will revolve around stock clearances from manufacturers and importers. Members will be able to pick up incredible bargains displayed at the Last Bite section on the website. Best Buy Looking for a new car, insurance, frig, TV or whatever? Our buying department will get the member the best buy through a coordinated tendering process involving manufacturers, importers and discount stores. Best Buy will shop around for the member and even if the member doesn’t accept the Best Buy price they will have a price basis from which to negotiate. Take-a-Break Each week Atlas will feature a special weekend away coupled to a lot of fun when members get there, because other members will be at the same destination, and the member will have the option of specially priced excursions and dine-outs or parties. Book of the Week Each week Atlas will feature a specially priced book that can be bought, the purchase of which will earn Ever Ready Rewards. Take a Survey From time to time memebers may want to participate in a survey. It may be about a product, a politician, Government, a service or simply personal preferences. Surveys allow products and policies to be developed. Great chance to earn some Ever Ready Rewards. Have your say Members who have been frustrated that nobody listens to their opinions or publishes their letters will now be able to have a say, follow the blog and put their tuppence worth in. A better version of Twitter. Special Events, Parties and excursions The club will bring back the old parties and excursions. Remember the fancy dress parties, the wine trains, boat trips? Well, they are all coming back with a vengeance. Regards Mike B President
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