Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- Subject: Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- From: Nicholas Pyers <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 14:51:29 +1000
On 02/05/2010, at 8:13 AM, Dave G wrote:
There mere fact we use MUG shows a lack of acceptance of the
situation. Macintosh is but one product Apple offers.
This is so true.
When I looked at establishing AppleUsers.org, as a central location of
resources for Australian User Groups, I thought long and hard about
the name I was going to call the group... and I deliberately steered
clear of using Mac or Macintosh in the name... as I was aware that
Apple provides more than that product.
Also Apple themselves have never referred to User Groups as Macintosh
User Groups... the official logo they provide actually says Apple User
Group
Mind you MUG sounds better as an acronym then AUG does :)
A for profit enterprise has a clear goal. To make a profit!
Any "cause" aspect of a User Group is as outdated as the SCSI and
serial ports. Apple doesn't need to be saved. World hunger, the
environment, and animal welfare are causes.
Apple has saved itself... and as much as I believe User Groups did a
far better job of keeping the Apple Flag visible back in the '90's
then Apple itself did, that is no longer the case in the 21st Century
A User Group is neither a for profit enterprise or a cause. It's a
non-profit group of people with a similar shared interest: a fan club.
I agree that User Groups are now basically fan clubs... or social
groups that are bought together through a common interest of the
devices and software that one company produces.
But I disagree that a User Group can't be a "for profit" enterprize...
as there are groups out there that are exactly that - look at some of
the Final Cut Pro groups as a perfect example that works extremely
well under a "for profit" arrangement.
Nothing more and nothing less. I suspect more people are in the
Hannah Montana fan clubs than are in User Groups. Once we accept that
Apple isn't obligated to us or owe us anything, we can move to a
better place for discussion. Hannah Montana fans don't expect every
time she comes into town that she visit their club or give free
tickets. Not picking on that singer- I just know the niece thinks
she's the bomb). Putting into perspective reduces the emotion and the
attachment to the ways of the past.
As others have mentioned, could you have chosen a better analogy than
Hannah Montana :)
but the point you are making is quite correct.
I have friends who are involved with Local Historical Societies, Model
Train (and even real ones) Appreciation Societies, and even reptile
keepers who get together to discuss raising of snakes, lizards etc...
they don't expect that one single company owes them anything to help
them exist or to function. Apple User Groups should look at how some
other 'social', 'hobby' and 'fan' clubs work.
Nobody wants to hear they need to adapt and many are afraid. They've
always known a certain way of doing things and are unwilling to
change. Number one phrase I hear is "I've been involved in User
Groups xxx number of years. We've done it this way and it works."
Even better "Our members want it this way."
Every group that I have seen take that attitude isn't around anymore,
or are quite visibly killing themselves right now
Problem of course is, when you do what the members want, then you
aren't leading. Don't expect anything to change if you do what the
existing members want. You won't attract new members. Eventually,
though attrition, your group dies out. You'll be paralyzed by the
status quo
Whilst I strongly advise all User Groups that they need to EVOLVE,
they don't need to be reactionary with changes. Evolution is a gradual
change.
And whilst every group needs new members to survive, let alone expand,
we have to remember that Marketing 101 theorem that it is often easier
to retain an existing customer then it is to get a new one.
So don't suddenly alienate your existing membership, but rather help
lead them
I'm not surprised by Apple's success. During the "lean" years they
didn't differentiate themselves in the marketplace and were too afraid
to do something different.
Does Apple lead the marketplace now or follow? "You can't make a
computer without a floppy drive", "Record companies will never allow
people to buy digital music", "A smart phone need a keyboard" are all
things the market wanted. Apple said "We have a better way and we'll
show you"
The basic question for any user group, in my not so humble opinion is
"Are you emulate the behaviors and philosophies of Apple" How can you
be an Apple fan and not?
Apple's own 'Think Different' marketing strategy is STILL in place at
Apple today, even if you don't hear it been said... there is no other
way they could have produced the iPhone and iPad without embracing
this philosophy.
User Groups need to do the same
Are printed newsletters and disks of the month emulating Apple's
behavior? Or is it acting like Microsoft that STILL allows you to run
WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS on the newest and latest computers?
There are still places for newsletters and Discs of the Month, even in
the 21st century... but again they need to be thought about
differently... and form part of an overall strategy of attracting the
same sort of customers that Apple themselves now target.
I must comment on the irony that while many User Groups want fully
elected democratic process each year in their leadership, the User
Group Regional Liasons and the User Group Advisory Board, as I
understand are not.
Then again, Apple itself isn't exactly democratic in the way it
appoints its' own board. The Board itself effectively nominates itself
and then shareholders ratify those nominations.... usually for the
Board as a block and not for individual nominees.
And shareholders certainly don't get a say in the day to day
management of the company nor the projects that Apple work on and
eventually bring to market or even kill off before they get to market!
I hope this leads to an interesting and much needed discussion that is
long overdue.
hear, hear :)
--
Nicholas Pyers (email@hidden)
Founder & Publisher, AppleUsers.org
http://www.appleusers.org/
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