The CAP Solution

[Casinomeister]

There have been a crapload of threads dealing with the CAP implosion, and it is somewhat tiresome since it pertains mostly to negativity and how effed up the situation is/was.

I felt it would benefit everyone to begin a new thread that is much more positive and constructive - how to fix something that is (IMO) broken. I'm hoping that some of you will take the opportunity to share your ideas on what you feel would be a valid solution.

I'll give you an example of what I think would be a good start.

I look at CAP as a website that delivers information, service and support for webmasters AND affiliate programs (somewhat like what Casinomeister does - but we are focused on the player).

It should focus primarily on what it can do online, and how it can provide these services without considering itself to be some kind of cash cow. This is how it can be done:

• As long as Warren and Lou are connected to CAP, all shared/connected business entities need to be removed from the site. Also, these shared/connected business entities should be identified for everyone's FYIs.
  
• Never forget that the CAP exists to support its members. Never take a webmaster's idea and assimilate it (for instance the Affiliate Watchdog's T&C auditing program, APCW's player audit etc). Webmasters should be encouraged to develop these programs - you should not be competing with them.
  
• Make the Certification free. Allow the certified companies to advertise via second tier ref share or media buys whatever. The aff programs should not be able to "buy" their certification.
  
• Have a criteria to be certified. For instance, they need to be audited by a third party certification that means something (Affiliate Watchdog, APWC, etc for examples).
  
• Have a criteria to be forum members. Just like in Casinomeisterland, members who commit fraud, spam etc., get the boot. Same thing should go for webmasters. Make membership worth something.

In the beginning CAP did not hold conferences/exhibitions. They started the Spring break in Florida a few years ago, and all I heard were raves on how great it was. It's only recently that it became CAP über alles - do every conference in every place possible, and try to coincide them with other gaming events. This caused a bunch of problems for nearly everyone. I'll tell you why.

This is a small industry, and companies only have so many resources to either attend or exhibit at conferences. Three or four a year is doable, and anything more than this is excessive. There is already the ICE, EIG, AIG, and one in Australia. The CAC is already established in Europe, Asia, and now in Moscow as well. If CAP is running conferences in tandem or near tandem, it just screws everything up for everyone but themselves.

Remember, the webmaster and affiliate manager is in your (CAPs) best interest

• Do away with the conferences; stick with the Spring breaks.

The comment I heard most was that the success of the SBs were from the lack of exhibitions and stands. People just met, networked, and partied. This is much more affordable for the aff programs. Keep it simple, stupid

If you do something well - then stick with it.

I would like to see a winter break as well - even a skiing excursion between the ICE and AIG.

Competition:

• There should be competition between the GPWA, CAP, and any other entities - but it needs to be friendly competition.

CAP, GPWA, APCW, etc. should consider themselves to be "webmaster buddies" (like I have buddies here ) and try to work with one another. Make an attempt to contribute to the industry and support one another.

I've done this with other sites since the beginning. I have linking partners, I have webmaster buddies in the forum, I refer members to other webmasters when they have questions I can't answer. Sure these are my competitors, but I've learned that providing a service supersedes everything else businesswise. I provide a service by assisting and working alongside many.

If you have anything to add or detract - post freely .

[mojo]

As long as Warren and Lou are connected to CAP, all shared/connected business entities need to be removed from the site. Also, these shared/connected business entities should be identified for everyone's FYIs.

Thank You! I don't think anyone can begin to move on until this is accomplished. However, it would be difficult to swallow if Warren and Lou suddenly 'sold' Cap.

That is just what jumped out to me. This post is a great place to start. TY.

[jetset]

Thought provoking and useful post, Bryan - to which I would add that the parties involved really need to conduct some introspection on their individual conduct over some of these pretty cringeworthy events.

There needs to be a personal commitment to a more professional, decent style of management than some of the behaviour we have seen to date, and a realisation that the business lies in the service industry, not controlling it.

Competition is a healthy force that can spur better results....but not the style of competition where character assassination and the physical destruction of competitors is planned.

I was taught to be suspicious of firms that trash their competitors instead of using smarter and more competitive business moves to gain an advantage.

[rowmare]

That just about covers it, Bryan.

[Webzcas]

To be honest all I personally would want is transparency in any and all business dealings which affect affiliates, players and programs. Add to this a clear indication as to what process is involved in certification and a commitment not to plagarise the work of others that used to be championed by the management of CAP - ie Affiliate Guard Dog, APCW Audits to name but two.

Whether any of the above can be done whilst the status quo remains in control of CAP remains to be seen. However they have lost a lot of credability and support over the last few months.


The model you have described in your post Bryan is ideal and would be a kind of Affiliate Community Utopia. Unfortunately I can see what transpires over the coming weeks falling way short of meeting your criteria

[lots0]

All good ideas Bryan.

But I gotta agree with Webzcas.

Bryan, what do you propose if Lou and Warren decide to continue just like in the past and ignore everyone and just do their same old stuff behind closed doors?

Because that is what I see happening.


P.S. I know this is somewhat negative, but for the life of me I just can't put a positive spin on this.

[Casinomeister]

...Bryan, what do you propose if Lou and Warren decide to continue just like in the past and ignore everyone and just do their same old stuff behind closed doors?...

If this were the case, the CAP as we know it would implode on itself - just like we are seeing now. I seriously don't think that is going to happen.

[lots0]

I seriously don't think that is going to happen.

Well for the good of everyone, I hope your right and I'm wrong.

[rowmare]

CAP is an affiliate community. It earns its money via affiliate programs who are there because a large number of affiliates, their target market, read the forums there. Because of this fact, it should be obvious what WE as affiliates can and should do to nurture ethics.

[jetset]

Rowmare has perhaps hit one of the nails on the head here - but whether a mass action by affiliates could be orchestrated or even happen is arguable - it could be like trying to herd a bunch of cats!

But I do think that if enough affiliates behaved in a cohesive manner it could be influential on the affiliate programs from whence most of the money probably flows.

What the affiliate programs do is the key to ensuring a better standard of corporate behaviour imo. If enough of them let their disappointment and embarrassment at recent events show in a concrete way.... that could be persuasive in all sorts of directions.