Re: AUGD: # Reality Check ("dreaming")
Re: AUGD: # Reality Check ("dreaming")
- Subject: Re: AUGD: # Reality Check ("dreaming")
- From: John Brandt <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 05 Dec 2005 09:51:30 -0600
Perhaps one of the best examples of the how strong the business aspect is at
Apple and how it might effect those who contribute to their success from the
outside is the story of one of our presenters.
About two years ago, Rob Janoff gave a great, informative and entertaining
presentation, despite having helped Apple along in its early days in one of
the strongest ways possible. As one small aside during that presentation, he
noted that besides his regular salary and any help it did to his career, he
had never, from nearly the founding of Apple Computer to then (and likely
still), received ANYTHING gratis or discounted from Apple because of his
contribution. No hardware. No software. Not even any moves to the front of
the line for service. He even later asked us if WE could help get his
PowerBook fixed fast at our Apple Store.
Rob's contribution? He created the Apple logo.
John
By the way, any user groups out there in need of a great presenter and away
from the usual vendor demo, we'd highly recommend Rob. You'd need to fly him
to you, but just for the historical insight, well worth it. He now resides
in northern Indiana, near Chicago. Anyone interested, feel free to contact
me, email@hidden, and I'll put you in touch.
> Couple of comments RE: "Since we're dreaming here" thread:
>
> ...
>
> * Apple is a (relatively) large corporation
>
> MUG people have a tendency to "personify" Apple, and
> begin to believe it has a soul; or conscience.
> It doesn't.
>
> User groups and the user group arena represent a
> tiny blip to Apple.
>
> It's sort of like expecting BMW to give BMW Car
> Clubs the time of day or some seat covers, or come to
> their meetings to speak. It just doesn't happen unless
> there's a market-wide reason to do so.
>
> Some of you may remember the discussions on this list a
> couple of years ago about the Harley Davidson Owners Club.
>
> One past Apple (employee) even suggested we (the user group
> community) form a similar club, and amass the MUG numbers
> to actually show up on Apple's marketing radar. It has
> been attempted several times. But each time, Apple itself
> (with help of it's disassociated henchmen) short-circuited
> or outright railroaded the attempts.
>
> The fact that anyone shells out-of-pocket money to further
> the 'user group' ideal simply doesn't make a hoot to Apple.
> Believe me, I've shelled out a few bucks myself.
>
> Apple is all about sales. User groups and their members,
> while all are wonderful people showing stellar loyalty
> to the brand, do NOT represent a measurable sales pool
> that is different from the existing market segments.
>
> Apple realizes these people already own Apple products,
> will most likely upgrade and purchase more product, so,
> therefore does not need nor justify additional coddling.
> Actually, to Apple, user groups are a nuisance.
>
> Apple is all about sales. They would probably be more
> interested in Windows user groups... mainly because they
> represent fresh soil to plow. Ever seen an Apple
> ad on TV to join a user group?
>
> For every expense to Apple, there's an expected return.
> Those returns rest heavily on the shoulders of Apple's
> employees. Intensly focused on job security, those same
> employees diligently guard and perpetuate those returns.
> And it is through individual employees that user groups
> have to interface. Remember that.
>
> As I've said all along, (those of you who know me since
> 1984) user groups must pave their own road -- build their
> own channels -- make their own friends within Apple.
> And, that takes some creativity, forethought and hard work.
> Accomplishing something of note brings Apple's notice and
> attention -- and kindnesses.
>
> Finally, I observe that everyone on this list
> probably has a lot... read my lips: A LOT
> to be thankful for.
>
> We all seem to be relatively well healed.
> We all seem to be well fed. (Some maybe too well :-)
> We all have the luxury of spending time using our
> favorite computers, chatting amongst ourselves across
> great distances.
>
> Count your blessings. You are all fortunate indeed.
>
> If any of us had really dire things to complain about,
> we probably wouldn't be reading nor responding to this list.
>
> If you really want to know how your group can attain the
> "dreams" you "dream" of go to:
> http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/
> and see how just one other segment of the market is
> making "dreams" come true.
>
> THEN, rather than sparring and moaning over what we cannot
> control -- we should be talking about how we, as a associated
> group of clubs, can do something important and helpful
> for someone else.
>
> :-)
>
> Thank you for reading... and for your continued
> camaraderie in the user group community!
>
> Fred
>
>
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--
John Brandt
JSB Design
773-525-0222 fax 773-525-0224
email@hidden
833 W Buena Ave 1507, Chicago IL 60613
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