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Commenting in Roadtest and Chances of Getting Selected!

dixonselvan

I'm keen to know what other members think and mainly what thinks about this!

 

I've seen many road tests where if a member has commented on the roadtest page, there is a high chance of seeing that member's name in the selected road testers list. Does this imply selection based on interest shown through comments? Or is it a weird coincidence?

 

I've also personally experimented with this. I applied for two Cool Tools Road Test. In one product, I was interested really and I commented on that road test page. Whereas in the other I didn't. I was selected to road test the one for which I had commented. Though I agree that my application for the one which I was not selected might not have been good enough when compared with the one in which I was selected, but this concludes the proof of the weird coincidence once again.

 

You can also check for yourselves by randomly checking roadtest pages, its comment section and the road testers list. But I am not sure about the tough ones (like Oscilloscope). Let me know your findings or thought in comments below.

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  • Dixon,

     

    I believe I have said in previous discussions that the application isn't the only thing that I consider when recommending applicants to the supplier.

     

    I look at the application first. If it is a one-liner, you probably won't get recommended. My concern is the person is either not serious and thinks roadtest apps are a lottery or a raffle  (I guess) or the person may not be able to follow through on a plan.

     

    I next look at see how active they are. There is a clear correlation that if you have not logged into the community recently, you will not complete the review.

     

    I also look at their points accrued. Participation in the community is another clear correlation on the likelihood that you will complete the review.

     

    I actually will spot check to see if the applicant has completed reviews in the past. If you have not, you will not be selected. If you are in progress on one, I will often email you to see what's your progress and what your availability is before recommending you.

     

    In the activity section of the member profile, I will look at the activity; I believe your comments pop up there. But I don't actively hunt for people in the comments.

     

    But what they say is something I will note. Remember, most of you I have not met personally. (I have only met one member face to face :    I was at the Bay area Maker Faire and he came over and stopped by our booth to say Hi.) So if I don't know you, I will read what you have to say to get to know you-- my primary interest is to understand your skills and capabilities. I also will note if the roadtester comes off to me as a problem solver.

     

    My biggest challenge is to recommend new roadtesters. They obviously don't have many points so I need to contact them to see if they have the ability to do a roadtest. I try to recommend at least one new roadtester for each roadtest.

     

    Why do I do all these things?

     

    Why can't the application be the only thing I should consider?

     

    Simple answer: that was done in the past before I took over the program and we got only about 13% of the reviews back and some suppliers were holding off on roadtesting.

     

    I try to be fair and give people who have made an honest effort to win the product. But I also am held accountable to the success of the program and I have to be practical. If someone hasn't logged into the community for 5 months and he applied to the roadtest on the same day he become a member and has not come back to the community ever since, what would you think? The practical thing is he isn't particularly involved in the community.

     

    If you or anyone has any questions about this or my approach, feel free to contact me or add a comment here. I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

     

    Randall Scasny

    RoadTest Program Manager

  • in reply to rscasny

    Any consideration to a requirement of a bio using a template in the application submission?

     

    You need information to evaluate if the candidate has the skills and the fortitude to deliver a review. I acknowledge technical skills are not the only thing you are looking for.  I'm all about expectations. Clearly knowing what to provide makes your job easier.

     

    Sean

  • in reply to mcb1

    I'm always publishing my proposals when (before) I apply: How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 6: Case for CAN Analysis Tool

    I think that the quality of my application, compared to other contenders, is what gets me selected or not.

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