Re: Delinquent Reviews
Re: Delinquent Reviews
- Subject: Re: Delinquent Reviews
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 19:52:02 -0400
I've had twinges of sadness and smiles at some of the experiences out there
which are so familiar to our group's. One of the evils of having a newsletter
as a member benefit is that you really have to work to get the group involved
in the submission of articles, software reviews, book reviews...to the extend
of the taxation of time of the one doing the solicitations.
At our group, we did not see a benefit to publishing the names of people who
didn't accomplish what they promised. This may only serve to "shame" them
enought to not attend meetings, or be a part of the group anymore. We do send
out blanket reminders of the deadlines and the editor makes personal reminders
by phone, email, snail mail if necessary. If reviews aren't done in the time
requested, we ask for a return of the item if it is still out there and we
place an urgent message that a review is needed immediately from someone with
prior personal experience with the product.
Failing that being a success, the job gets turned to me as VP (sorta the buck
stops here when everyone else fails to submit the change!). Then its up to
either the editor or myself to review these items, yet again placing our names
out there, when no one else wanted or couldn't put forth the effort to see
their names in the bylilne. Sometimes its enough repetition of seeing the
same names out there, that causes other members to begin to offer their time
and talents for review purposes. Or just seeing the few that get to enjoy the
wares, causes enough burning desires elsewheres to make them take action.
Often its a matter of seeking review items that people are interested in. We
try seek out items based on a member's question as to what others think of a
certain software or what have you. Then when the review item come in, it is
offered first to the member who made the suggestion and if they turn it down,
then it goes out to the rest of the group. Sometimes the benefit is that a
few, not alot, of the companies are willing to send two copies of items, one
for raffle and one that can be given to the reviewer. Those offers always get
results.
We've had good success getting most items back on time, but those few that
don't sure do cause some painful head-banging. Followed by icky brain matter
spilling out in trying to get enough last minute experience with an item in
order to form a review within a weeks time of a deadline. If its not possible
to do in quick return, the review gets put off for one more month for one of
our officers to enjoy and review (the last line of defense).
I quite like Jim's idea of a raffle for those who turn in their reviews on
time! Thanks, Jim, I'm passing that one along.
Macbeth
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