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Please Read: RoadTest Program Change #2

rscasny

Over the past week, many of you have contributed to my discussions regarding the state of the RoadTest program. You have offered your ideas and  voiced your concerns about the program. I am already seeing a positive change. Most of the posted on the main landing page of the RoadTest Review space are new.

 

I want to thank everyone who has posted new reviews. I have to report back this week to a supplier regarding the status of the reviews. I can start sharing positive news.

 

Going Forward

Part of how I see my job as RoadTest Program Manager is to find out why people aren't posting reviews despite the clearly stated terms and conditions that a RoadTester will get a free product in exchange for your feedback on the official element14 review form. Jobs changes, moves, illnesses are generally all acceptable reasons why a RoadTester has not completed a review. But, you need to inform me what is going on.

 

I realize that "things happen." In one situation, I learned that one RoadTester did not complete her/his review because the product was stolen along with the person's laptop, etc. I am working with this individual to get her/him another product. But I also asked her/him if the physical security improved where my supplier's product is stored. (Sounds like an opportunity to do an IoT project on this problem.)

 

The problem of lack of communication has been a problem. For instance, I am ready to ship out products today for the Cleo/Nero RoadTest. One of the winners has failed to contact me despite my sending him messages for more than a week.

 

Another problem is when an applicant uses a different email address than the one used to register on element14. Since I check the finalists' profile in order to "get to know" the person's history within the community, when a different email address is used on the application, I am delayed in selecting applicants, sending to the supplier, etc.

 

Since communication is a two-way street, I realize I have to stay in touch and communicate with you. I feel I have been doing that recently But, of course, there's always room for me to improve.

 

Next Change

Communication is important and it is the focus of the next change to the RoadTest program.

 

Simply stated, if I need to contact you regarding a roadtest for which you have applied and I don't receive a reply within a week, and AFTER 2 times trying, I will set aside your application or winning entry and chose someone else.

 

I surely don't expect you to site at the edge of your seat and reply to me instantaneously. 24 hours would be great, but not always possible, especially for those of you who are frequent business travelers. I feel a week is adequate; however, I'll open this up for discussion. No rule is ironclad (unless you are in the military); but a communication rule has become necessary.

Parents

  • A week is pretty generous. Generally if I don't get a response from someone in 2 - 3 days that I am working with I start sending send emails or looking for them on other channels (Skype, etc.). In truth I do this because I am looking for something from them, not the other way round. If its the otherway round I wait a week or so then attempt again if still no luck I drop them to the bottom of my priority list, I figure they don't want whatever it is I have to get to them.

     

    In this case if someone is a serious road tester they should be able to get back to you in a day or two. A brief I received your email I'm away and will get back to you in x number of days is not asking a lot at all. It's basic courtesy. I also think how they respond (timing and wording) speaks to the seriousness of the road tester. My 2c worth.

     

    Kas

  • in reply to kas.lewis

    Unfortunately, I lost my email for a week due to a rogue spam checker, I missed out on getting my blog nominated for an award. Sometimes a week is not enough.

  • in reply to Workshopshed

    I messed up my E14 email notifications and was out of the loop for more than a month. This was over Christmas so I wrongly assumed people were just busy with the holidays.

    I'm quite positive that it all started because I clicked a link to unfollow a conversation that turned out to be a link to turn off ALL notifications.

     

    But I agree that you can't wait forever, so I wouldn't be upset if I was passed over for that reason.

     

    One thing I would like is to be notified directly via my email address for these kinds of important things - I'm assuming E14 staff can access my profile to access it there.

    The reason is because for me those direct emails are less likely to be spam filtered, plus if I screw up my notification settings again I'll still get your direct emails.

     

    Randall said: I have to report back this week to a supplier regarding the status of the reviews.

    One thing that seems to be forgotten, or at least left out of these conversations, is that just featuring the item in a RoadTest is a huge benefit to the sponsors - I generally see ALL the RoadTest featured items, but I don't often read the reviews. It's really a very effective yet non-intrusive advertising.

    This doesn't excuse those who neglect their duties, but it's a value the suppliers should be aware of.

     

    Cheers,

    -Nico

Reply
  • in reply to Workshopshed

    I messed up my E14 email notifications and was out of the loop for more than a month. This was over Christmas so I wrongly assumed people were just busy with the holidays.

    I'm quite positive that it all started because I clicked a link to unfollow a conversation that turned out to be a link to turn off ALL notifications.

     

    But I agree that you can't wait forever, so I wouldn't be upset if I was passed over for that reason.

     

    One thing I would like is to be notified directly via my email address for these kinds of important things - I'm assuming E14 staff can access my profile to access it there.

    The reason is because for me those direct emails are less likely to be spam filtered, plus if I screw up my notification settings again I'll still get your direct emails.

     

    Randall said: I have to report back this week to a supplier regarding the status of the reviews.

    One thing that seems to be forgotten, or at least left out of these conversations, is that just featuring the item in a RoadTest is a huge benefit to the sponsors - I generally see ALL the RoadTest featured items, but I don't often read the reviews. It's really a very effective yet non-intrusive advertising.

    This doesn't excuse those who neglect their duties, but it's a value the suppliers should be aware of.

     

    Cheers,

    -Nico

Children
  • in reply to ntewinkel

    Nico,

     

    You also make good points. That's the feedback I need.

     

    I have posted communications to the RoadTest page in question. Sometimes I get responses and sometimes I do not. I have gone to members' profiles to see when they last logged in. For example, holiday times I expect people will not always be on top of their email. Let me think about this so I put into my communication process all the "bases".