Drinks with Garry Cook

[AustinBlue]

I met Garry Cook in London last night, and spent an hour over drinks talking about City.

I've had the good fortune in my life to meet and work with some of the top CEOs in the World. Coca Cola, UPS, Ritz Carlton, Dell... along with the head of the FBI, President Jimmy Carter, and various movie executives. I say this just to give context that I'm not star struck and am able to discern quality leadership.

Based on what I heard last night, I was seriously encouraged by Garry's leadership / vision / and heart. City is being turned into a world class organization. Strong foundations in structure, people, and processes have been put into place. Results on the pitch are subject to many variables, many of which come down to luck. But great organizations, over time, will develop a winning culture, winning systems, and people who know what it means to win - From the playing staff down to the cleaning crew.

I was impressed by what I learned about the business plan. There is purpose and intent to not just build the best club in the world, but to preserve and nurture the "soul" of the club. And our transfer policy, once explained, made great sense to me.... It turns out it's a little more complex than a game of Football Manager. But what encouraged the most might have been Garry's heart. It's clear that he and his family have the passion of a fan - living and dying on each result. But more than that, when I asked him what he was enjoying most about the process, it wasn't trips to Arabian palaces, or the various perks and trappings of his position, it was the opportunity to invest in the many young people at the club and give them futures and a careers in a world class organization.

I've supported City for 30+ years. I'm very proud of the City we are building today.

 

[tonea2003]

what did you learn about the business plan, pray tell

 

[Dubai Blue]

Hi there Garry!!

 

[BobKowalski]

I would be more impressed if Cook stopped picking up strange men in bars and revealing all about City's future plans

I hope you're right though and Cookie is the real deal. With the press he gets I have found myself rooting for the guy

 

[ibennett63]

Hi there Garry!!

This.

 

[AustinBlue]

Hi there Garry!!

This.

Right. You got me.

 

[happy]

Is it appropriate that Garry Cook discusses City's business plan with strangers in bars? This is the second or third story I've read along similar lines and it seems rather disturbing that he's so free and easy with information.

I realise that he wont be passing on state secrets and I'm sure he's 'on message' but it seems a little odd to me that he chooses hotel bars as his preferred outlet for information distribution. You'd have thought after the New York fiasco he'd have learned to be a little more discrete?

 

[tonea2003]

Is it appropriate that Garry Cook discusses City's business plan with strangers in bars? This is the second or third story I've read along similar lines and it seems rather disturbing that he's so free and easy with information.

I realise that he wont be passing on state secrets and I'm sure he's 'on message' but it seems a little odd to me that he chooses hotel bars as his preferred outlet for information distribution. You'd have thought after the New York fiasco he'd have learned to be a little more discrete?

think you have answered your own question

 

[bluevengence]

Is it appropriate that Garry Cook discusses City's business plan with strangers in bars? This is the second or third story I've read along similar lines and it seems rather disturbing that he's so free and easy with information.

I realise that he wont be passing on state secrets and I'm sure he's 'on message' but it seems a little odd to me that he chooses hotel bars as his preferred outlet for information distribution. You'd have thought after the New York fiasco he'd have learned to be a little more discrete?

You`re never happy are you

 

[manchester blue]

Is it appropriate that Garry Cook discusses City's business plan with strangers in bars? This is the second or third story I've read along similar lines and it seems rather disturbing that he's so free and easy with information.

I realise that he wont be passing on state secrets and I'm sure he's 'on message' but it seems a little odd to me that he chooses hotel bars as his preferred outlet for information distribution. You'd have thought after the New York fiasco he'd have learned to be a little more discrete?

think you have answered your own question

Indeed. Would you prefer he just ignored fans or engaged in generic conversation with them about something they both share a passion for?

 

[frothy]

Is it appropriate that Garry Cook discusses City's business plan with strangers in bars? This is the second or third story I've read along similar lines and it seems rather disturbing that he's so free and easy with information.

I realise that he wont be passing on state secrets and I'm sure he's 'on message' but it seems a little odd to me that he chooses hotel bars as his preferred outlet for information distribution. You'd have thought after the New York fiasco he'd have learned to be a little more discrete?

You`re never happy are you

it doesn't sound like he said anything we haven't heard before ,no big revelations and it sounds like the poster met him in a business situation and not just propping up the bar in some seedy joint

 

[happy]

think you have answered your own question

Indeed. Would you prefer he just ignored fans or engaged in generic conversation with them about something they both share a passion for?

My questions were rhetorical, of course it isn't appropriate that a senior executive of a multi million pound company should be seen or heard discussing matters of high regard in hotel bars.

I'm not suggesting that he should dismiss supporters but going back as far as the Kaka debacle this man has been spouting nonsense to all and sundry. He may well be trying to diseminate information to fellow blues but the fact is that he is appalingly indiscrete and it ill behoves a man in his position. He has put himself in a position where his comments are being reported as fact whereas they are little more than heresay open to both misinterpretation and malicious misrepresentation.

 

[tonea2003]

Indeed. Would you prefer he just ignored fans or engaged in generic conversation with them about something they both share a passion for?

My questions were rhetorical, of course it isn't appropriate that a senior executive of a multi million pound company should be seen or heard discussing matters of high regard in hotel bars.

I'm not suggesting that he should dismiss supporters but going back as far as the Kaka debacle this man has been spouting nonsense to all and sundry. He may well be trying to diseminate information to fellow blues but the fact is that he is appalingly indiscrete and it ill behoves a man in his position. He has put himself in a position where his comments are being reported as fact whereas they are little more than heresay open to both misinterpretation and malicious misrepresentation.

if it indeed happened at all

 

[AustinBlue]

You`re never happy are you

it doesn't sound like he said anything we haven't heard before ,no big revelations and it sounds like the poster met him in a business situation and not just propping up the bar in some seedy joint

Exactly. I wasn't a random stranger. We're not talking about anything proprietary. We're talking about the approach to the business plan. The people on this board are unbelievable sometimes.

 

[Scottyboi]

Indeed. Would you prefer he just ignored fans or engaged in generic conversation with them about something they both share a passion for?

My questions were rhetorical, of course it isn't appropriate that a senior executive of a multi million pound company should be seen or heard discussing matters of high regard in hotel bars.

I'm not suggesting that he should dismiss supporters but going back as far as the Kaka debacle this man has been spouting nonsense to all and sundry. He may well be trying to diseminate information to fellow blues but the fact is that he is appalingly indiscrete and it ill behoves a man in his position. He has put himself in a position where his comments are being reported as fact whereas they are little more than heresay open to both misinterpretation and malicious misrepresentation.

Yawn another attack on Gary. Fuck me get a grip he is talking to fans making them feel good what is the problem?

 

[Ricster]

I met Garry Cook in London last night, and spent an hour over drinks talking about City.

I've had the good fortune in my life to meet and work with some of the top CEOs in the World. Coca Cola, UPS, Ritz Carlton, Dell... along with the head of the FBI, President Jimmy Carter, and various movie executives. I say this just to give context that I'm not star struck and am able to discern quality leadership.

Based on what I heard last night, I was seriously encouraged by Garry's leadership / vision / and heart. City is being turned into a world class organization. Strong foundations in structure, people, and processes have been put into place. Results on the pitch are subject to many variables, many of which come down to luck. But great organizations, over time, will develop a winning culture, winning systems, and people who know what it means to win - From the playing staff down to the cleaning crew.

I was impressed by what I learned about the business plan. There is purpose and intent to not just build the best club in the world, but to preserve and nurture the "soul" of the club. And our transfer policy, once explained, made great sense to me.... It turns out it's a little more complex than a game of Football Manager. But what encouraged the most might have been Garry's heart. It's clear that he and his family have the passion of a fan - living and dying on each result. But more than that, when I asked him what he was enjoying most about the process, it wasn't trips to Arabian palaces, or the various perks and trappings of his position, it was the opportunity to invest in the many young people at the club and give them futures and a careers in a world class organization.

I've supported City for 30+ years. I'm very proud of the City we are building today.

And that my friend is why i am so pro Cook

 

[happy]

it doesn't sound like he said anything we haven't heard before ,no big revelations and it sounds like the poster met him in a business situation and not just propping up the bar in some seedy joint

Exactly. I wasn't a random stranger. We're not talking about anything proprietary. We're talking about the approach to the business plan. The people on this board are unbelievable sometimes.

Why is my reaction 'unbelievable'? Garry has rightly or wrongly developed a reputation as somebody that speaks out of turn, I haven't just made this up. I'm sure that he's a stand up bloke and an excellent Chief Exec and I'm equally sure that your chat revealed few if any startling revelations.

I too have met many senior executives and I cannot think of a single one that would discuss the contents of a Business Plan over drinks with strangers in what presumably was a public area.

I've never met Cook, I don't know him and I wish him every success at City but I maintain my original point that I find it innapropriate for a senior executive to be discussing club matters in a social situation, he's a paid executive that seems to think he's the story.

 

[Ricster]

Exactly. I wasn't a random stranger. We're not talking about anything proprietary. We're talking about the approach to the business plan. The people on this board are unbelievable sometimes.

Why is my reaction 'unbelievable'? Garry has rightly or wrongly developed a reputation as somebody that speaks out of turn, I haven't just made this up. I'm sure that he's a stand up bloke and an excellent Chief Exec and I'm equally sure that your chat revealed few if any startling revelations.

I too have met many senior executives and I cannot think of a single one that would discuss the contents of a Business Plan over drinks with strangers in what presumably was a public area.

I've never met Cook, I don't know him and I wish him every success at City but I maintain my original point that I find it innapropriate for a senior executive to be discussing club matters in a social situation, he's a paid executive that seems to think he's the story.

I can quite believe you haven't met him with that absurd finish to your post.

Garry is 100% focussed on City and nothing else. To say something unfounded like that is a slur on his name.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

Frankly I don't believe you. Because I was out with the head of the FBI last night myself, and Jimmy Carter and John Wayne were there too. I say this because I have been drinking Guinness with Bushmills chasers since Wednesday morning.

 

[Scottyboi]

Exactly. I wasn't a random stranger. We're not talking about anything proprietary. We're talking about the approach to the business plan. The people on this board are unbelievable sometimes.

Why is my reaction 'unbelievable'? Garry has rightly or wrongly developed a reputation as somebody that speaks out of turn, I haven't just made this up. I'm sure that he's a stand up bloke and an excellent Chief Exec and I'm equally sure that your chat revealed few if any startling revelations.

I too have met many senior executives and I cannot think of a single one that would discuss the contents of a Business Plan over drinks with strangers in what presumably was a public area.

I've never met Cook, I don't know him and I wish him every success at City but I maintain my original point that I find it innapropriate for a senior executive to be discussing club matters in a social situation, he's a paid executive that seems to think he's the story.

You need to re think your username, Victor Meldrew would be more appropriate.