Who has been to Mecca Bingo?

[Yucca]

Hi all

I have an interview for a General Manager role at Mecca Bingo and have been asked to present a SWOT analysis. Though I have made an extensive list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats they are mostly strategic in nature and perhaps not appropriate at GM level. Eg, gambling is seen as a bad/dangerous habit which may be a reason people avoid Mecca Bingo - GM cant do anything about that really.

Who here has been to their local Mecca Bingo and can tell me about their experiance? What they enjoyed, what could have been better etc? Id welcome any general info on your experiances etc.

For those with a business/management backgroud - Any GM level SWOT points that come to mind?

(If I get the job I will donate £100 to a charity of choice for the most informative poster!)

 

[Steeps]

I know what I'd be doing tonight... also it has eat out to help out so enjoy a cheap meal while doing your research

 

[Ahleckz]

I've been once, and the one thing I remember more than other was how good the staff were. They were very friendly, eager to help and explain how it all worked and then came and checked up on us during the games. It made what could have been quite an intimidating experience something that was great fun. It was easily one of the best "retail" customer service experiences I've ever had.

 

[Yucca]

I know what I'd be doing tonight... also it has eat out to help out so enjoy a cheap meal while doing your research

I am visiting tonight. But as iv worked at area manager level I tend to pick up more on the big strategy stuff rather than the local store level stuff.

I’m not sure if my SWOT presentation is supposed to be only points that a GM can resolve/change or everything.

 

[Yucca]

I've been once, and the one thing I remember more than other was how good the staff were. They were very friendly, eager to help and explain how it all worked and then came and checked up on us during the games. It made what could have been quite an intimidating experience something that was great fun. It was easily one of the best "retail" customer service experiences I've ever had.

Thank you. Every bit helps. Why do you call it ‘retail’ as apposed to hospitality?

 

[Stu999]

Try posting on mumsnet / gransnet?

 

[Rids]

You should be able to come up with some good COVID specific threats at the moment, lack of social distancing wipes out half the client base, etc. Obviously has strategic impacts (ie. another lockdown) but also at a branch level as poorly implemented business practices could lead to a localised outbreak.

 

[Ayahuasca]

Me nana

 

[vanpeebles]

My other half says the link games with the colours, on electronic boards were in poor state. And would try to fit in too smaller games of bingo rather main bingo sessions.

Staff very friendly.

 

[ThePainBarrier]

Back in the day (early 2000's), me and a mate used to go to the bingo hall a lot.
Not to play bingo though!

Just went to play on the pool table - which was always empty - and no queues at the bar because everyone was in the bingo hall.

Great times.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

*experience

Sadly not been to Mecca Bingo

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Can we have a game of ocuk bingo while you prepare for your SWOT analysis present?

 

[stuman]

I would book some time looking at the competitors offer. It will help pad out the threats and opportunities.
Edit: donate the money to Rank Cares

 

[Stumble Bum]

Threats - In an ever changing society what new potential customers are going to decide to take up bingo in the future. Surely this is a dying industry, quite literally for most of Mecca bingo's customers. I'm amazed there are any bingo halls left. There certainly won't be much demand for them in the future I imagine. I don't think I know of anyone that has ever been to bingo. The online games/casino/bingo market must be the biggest threat to high st units.

 

[wildman]

demographic of bingo halls is generally OAP's. For future survival they need to do something that gets a younger crowd in, but that will no doubt hack off all the purple rinse zimmer framed tea drinkers too much, so I guess the opportunity is how to get younger generations in without alienating the oldies

 

[Psiko]

Take a look at the trust pilot reviews for some insights from actual customers: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/meccabingo.com

Some quick thoughts off the top of my head (like you they are probably more strategic):
S: brand/marketing, loyal customers, omnichannel offering, loyalty schemes/gifts (my mum goes and is always bringing back crap she tries to palm off on me), centralised approach to responsible gambling, reputation for friendly staff
W: covid related (as other posters have mentioned risk of outbreaks, need for social distancing, higher costs due to PPE), dwindling core demographic, not "cool"
O: white space in the younger demographic, make more of the social aspect, live entertainment?, Better food and beverage offering?, cheap commercial real estate (as shops close) could facilitate expansion or moving to more attractive locations, trend to spending on experiences rather than stuff
T: competition, shift to online, regulation (not sure if relevant but could decrease max bets like the FOBTs)

Best of luck with the interview!

 

[Yucca]

You should be able to come up with some good COVID specific threats at the moment, lack of social distancing wipes out half the client base, etc. Obviously has strategic impacts (ie. another lockdown) but also at a branch level as poorly implemented business practices could lead to a localised outbreak.

Just got back. Because the hall is so big they are actually maintaining the full 2m distance between tables. So it felt very safe to us. That coupled with the fact it was very very quiet.

The staff spent most of the time cleaning stuff again and again.

But yes I get your point about demographic - if the oldies don’t THINK it’s safe then they won’t come out.

 

[Yucca]

demographic of bingo halls is generally OAP's. For future survival they need to do something that gets a younger crowd in, but that will no doubt hack off all the purple rinse zimmer framed tea drinkers too much, so I guess the opportunity is how to get younger generations in without alienating the oldies

They were doing all sorts of entertainment nights, live music, events etc. But all stopped due to covid 19.

Almost all the opportunities I can think of to add value to the core product don’t work till covid is over. So not sure if I can still talk about them or not...

 

[Dis86]

Id say the focus on covid recovery is key

 

[Yucca]

Take a look at the trust pilot reviews for some insights from actual customers: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/meccabingo.com

Some quick thoughts off the top of my head (like you they are probably more strategic):
S: brand/marketing, loyal customers, omnichannel offering, loyalty schemes/gifts (my mum goes and is always bringing back crap she tries to palm off on me), centralised approach to responsible gambling, reputation for friendly staff
W: covid related (as other posters have mentioned risk of outbreaks, need for social distancing, higher costs due to PPE), dwindling core demographic, not "cool"
O: white space in the younger demographic, make more of the social aspect, live entertainment?, Better food and beverage offering?, cheap commercial real estate (as shops close) could facilitate expansion or moving to more attractive locations, trend to spending on experiences rather than stuff
T: competition, shift to online, regulation (not sure if relevant but could decrease max bets like the FOBTs)

Best of luck with the interview!

Good post and useful! If you/your mum think of any more, especially at store level rather than company wide/strategic let me know please!

I have a lot of company wide examples. It’s the local, at store level, on the shop floor stuff im missing.