tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285729513030543746.post6197310707196918654..comments2024-03-27T00:26:40.551-07:00Comments on Real Time View: The Houston AccordRichard Bucklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17723428627971060930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285729513030543746.post-70033127017314357542008-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:002008-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:00The brave new world is here... try not to lose you...The brave new world is here... <I>try not to lose your footing</I>!<BR/><BR/>The other day while cleaning out a closet, my wife found a large collection of old ITUG conference bags (dating back to the '80s) and the concept of 'brand recognition' struck me. Our members (both individuals and customers) associate ITUG with a whole lot more than just membership in a user group; if we can keep our brand alive within the organization (for example, '<B>ITUG</B> SQL SIG' or '<B>ITUG</B> SUMMIT at <I>(new user group name)</I> FORUM'), you could have the best of both worlds... just a thought.<BR/><BR/>All that being said, I believe this change has a great amount of value for the ITUG membership (and NonStop users at large). I encourage members to give it serious consideration.<BR/><BR/>Bill Honaker<BR/><I>1996 ITUG Chair</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285729513030543746.post-70530171379345431342008-02-11T12:25:00.000-08:002008-02-11T12:25:00.000-08:00Finding that a little thought has now stopped my k...Finding that a little thought has now stopped my knee from jerking, I agree that the User Groups needed to adapt so as to represent the platforms from a position of strength and thus be able to deliver value to their members.<BR/>Some issues that remain are :<BR/>- to ensure that the NonStop identity is maintained and not diluted by the other brands within the new "corporate" User Group.<BR/>- to keep those characteristics which differentiate NonStop to the forefront with Users and HP execs - we know we are niche but we are extremely good at it.<BR/>- to make sure that the new User Group is structured correctly - so that it remains in business, so that it retains some independence from HP, so that it keeps Users and ISV's in their proper - prominent - place.<BR/>Scott and the board have my support in going forward with this, as making it a success is crucial.<BR/>Richard FAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285729513030543746.post-28382949770030674102008-02-08T09:51:00.000-08:002008-02-08T09:51:00.000-08:00Well said Richard. I think we are at a key point i...Well said Richard. I think we are at a key point in the user group lifespan where change will ensure longevity. We risk becoming irrelevant and loosing key support for our bread-and-butter platform if we continue with the way we've always done things. <BR/>I for one will support this change and look forward to being a NonStop Ambassador to a larger community. -KelvinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285729513030543746.post-58692926559152102452008-02-08T07:39:00.000-08:002008-02-08T07:39:00.000-08:00Great blog, Richard. Allow me to express a concern...Great blog, Richard. Allow me to express a concern related to concerns over HP commitment to NonStop. In the effort to reorganize, rebuild, or refactor the user group structure, please be cognizant of the perception issues that might ensue. Over the past few years there have been continuing concerns over the commitment of HP to NonStop. While the public statements have been very clear that NonStop is here to stay, the reality of the concerns in customer perception that efforts are being redirected from core NonStop to NeoView, for example, cannot be ignored. I have personally experienced the <I>perceptions</I> of software quality reduction related to that area. In this new world of HP user groups, we have to be sensitive to customer perception, or risk losing the core values that have been built up over the past decades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com