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: Dave G <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 00:27:06 -0500
>
> 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.
>
I respectfully disagree that a User Group can be truly "for profit".
As I stated, a for profit organization is out there to make money.
That's it's goal. User Groups are designed to bring people together.
When looking at "what's good for the members" and "what makes money",
a for profit venture would decide on money. While I'm sure it
wouldn't do something "bad" to it's members, ultimately by it's
definition it has to make a profit. Nothing wrong with for profit
ventures, but to have someone volunteer in a for profit venture isn't
really volunteering. It's giving of your time to make someone else
money.
I think the FCP groups are great, but are in a different league on
every level than Apple User Groups. They have more in common with
Macworld and WWDC , IMHO
>
> 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.
I think, respectfully that's an excuse. When groups still debate
whether to support classic users, then it's gone from gradual change
to extinction.
>
>> 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.
>
Enlighten me. I simply can't imagine a scenario where the ancient
discs of the month and printed newsletters make sense. I know the
argument: "Our members wanted printed newsletters", "They are on
dialup and need these discs". Is that leading? Apple isn't targeting
people that don't have broadband internet connections. They don't
even make phone modems anymore. Those were discontinued. These
aren't customers Apple wants to support or attract. They want these
customers to enter the 21st century.
> 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!
Oh yes they do. I'm a shareholder and get to vote on nominees. I
always vote to remove Bill Campbell. Intuit treats the Mac like a
second class citizen. Topic for a different day. As a shareholder I
also get to go to the annual meeting, start shareholder initiatives
etc. It's much more democratic than the way User Groups are run.
>
>> I hope this leads to an interesting and much needed discussion that is
>> long overdue.
>
> hear, hear :)
Alas, it would be nice if other voices join in.
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