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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.

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  • I would like to add something here. One person already started to talk about it, but I can't remember who he/she is, and I can't seem to find it. To say that I'm sleepy is an understatement. Need caffeine...

     

    I've done some professional testing in my past, and I had terrible problems with one company, who did everything on a community forum/site. Something called Jive, apparently image I had a hard time getting messages; they did indeed arrive in my email box, but as someone who lives with filters, you can miss things. An important message is sometimes lost in a flood of x likes this, y found this helpful and z added a comment. When I convinced them to switch to email for communication (but the forum for the end result), it made things much easier. Emails from the tech guys never wend unmissed, and if I was on a quick trip, it is always easier to send an email saying that I'm unavailable and will answer when I get to a hotel or something. It's an email app, click, write and send. Logging onto a forum with a mobile phone is sometimes a lot harder (so much I just normally gave in, and told myself I'll do this later. And didn't.

     

    It made my life much easier, but I do understand that it can make things difficult for the company infront of me. Some people are already buried deep in email, a few emails from me might actually make things harder for them. In that case we talk, and we find solutions (weekly Skype meetings, for example, but I fully understand that this is not going to be an option for Randall, with the amount of people he talks to, he'll never find time to eat/sleep again).

     

    I signed up for the Roadtest program, the rules were clear at the time. They have changed slightly, but are perfectly logical, and I'm still signing on today. However, it would make things easier for me to use emails, and not forums image

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  • I would like to add something here. One person already started to talk about it, but I can't remember who he/she is, and I can't seem to find it. To say that I'm sleepy is an understatement. Need caffeine...

     

    I've done some professional testing in my past, and I had terrible problems with one company, who did everything on a community forum/site. Something called Jive, apparently image I had a hard time getting messages; they did indeed arrive in my email box, but as someone who lives with filters, you can miss things. An important message is sometimes lost in a flood of x likes this, y found this helpful and z added a comment. When I convinced them to switch to email for communication (but the forum for the end result), it made things much easier. Emails from the tech guys never wend unmissed, and if I was on a quick trip, it is always easier to send an email saying that I'm unavailable and will answer when I get to a hotel or something. It's an email app, click, write and send. Logging onto a forum with a mobile phone is sometimes a lot harder (so much I just normally gave in, and told myself I'll do this later. And didn't.

     

    It made my life much easier, but I do understand that it can make things difficult for the company infront of me. Some people are already buried deep in email, a few emails from me might actually make things harder for them. In that case we talk, and we find solutions (weekly Skype meetings, for example, but I fully understand that this is not going to be an option for Randall, with the amount of people he talks to, he'll never find time to eat/sleep again).

     

    I signed up for the Roadtest program, the rules were clear at the time. They have changed slightly, but are perfectly logical, and I'm still signing on today. However, it would make things easier for me to use emails, and not forums image

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