Question

Topic: Strategy

Why Do You Participate In The Khe?

Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/25/2004 at 11:35 AM ET 25 Points
This question is directed more toward the "experts".

What is your primary reason/motivation for participating in the forum?

If there are several, please feel free to list them.


To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Pepper Blue on 7/25/2004 at 1:48 PM Accepted
    Jett, oh, so many.....

    1) It allows me to test and dig into my knowledge bank. You will find that we use the term "brain candy" or "brain gym" when referring to what the KHE does for our minds.

    2) It constantly asks me:
  • How much do I really know about marketing?
  • Are my answers consistent with those of my peers?
  • Do askers find value in my answers?

    2) It exercises my creativity, which then expands to my personal business, providing my customers with fresh, creative and practical solutions.

    3) It exercises something very hard to do: distilling my thoughts into concise, well-written, and easy to understand answers.

    4) It provides an opportunity to brand Pepper Blue Marketing and turn this branding into revenue. However, like Jim, I feel that the KHE is a grossly under-utilized source of knowledge and problem-solving for potential paying clients. Rather than contact one of us for a professional engagement, they choose to continue to lose revenue, increase expenses and waste time on non-productive marketing efforts. They are really missing out on an opportunity to turn their companies into star performers, for which we would charge very nominal fees. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ANY OF US, CONSULTATIONS ARE NO-CHARGE and we might change your life!!!

    5) I've made valuable contacts with other KHE contributors.

    6) I find huge value in and enjoy reading my colleagues answers.
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/25/2004 at 4:04 PM Author
    I dig everyone's candid answers.

    Where are all the devout customer service advocates? There is a customer in need of service here!!!

    What number did I grab at the desk.....?

    Not enough points?

    Sunday?

    Hmm?

    OK.
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 7/25/2004 at 5:43 PM Accepted
    Hi, Blaine...

    Sundays are slow, hmm?

    I participate in KHE for the points. Eventually I hope I'll be able to cash them in for round-trip airfare to Australia, or maybe for a harmonica or a cool hat. I can't find the page link for redeeming them, though....

    Actually, the two BIGGEST reasons I'm here are because I learn so much from all of you and because I enjoy it. When I stop learning and having fun with it, I'll leave!

    The "fun" part is the creativity, as Tim says, needed for answering some of the interesting or tough dilemmas people post. The online conversation with some of you also brings a smile ...or an unexpected blast of laughter.

    The third reason I'm here is my twisted sense of obligation to support the entrepreneurial population. My responses to their questions obviously come from my jaded-but-optimistic perspective about starting a business. I like to encourage people to dream big, be practical, AND keep using KHE as a resource.

    I guess the final reason I'm here is because I'm a fan. I want to see KHE succeed, I want to see how Allen and Val pull it off, and I don't mind helping when I'm able. There's nothing "in it" for me, since I'll never use this forum to promote any consulting or marketing services of my own. Maybe the "profit" for me is the connection I make with all of you as potential resources to BirdNest -- whether as marketing experts or as stepping stones to BirdNest resellers.

    Are you going to tell us about your own motivation? Hope so.

    -- Shelley
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/26/2004 at 10:55 AM Author
    OK..I'll post my little story too...

    One day, back in December of 2003, I stumbled across a post by the then, #1 expert, John S. (currently #56). He and Andrew Scaife had already started dominating the forum with info-rich posts.

    I looked to my right and saw a Top 25 list...immediate competition! So, I decided to post a few answers and people started picking me. The more approval I received, the more I turned into positive energy back to the forum.

    KHE kept changing how they ranked people, so one day I would be #25, then #1, then #40, Then #3, etc. Actually, I was #2 for almost 2 months..second only to Andrew Scaife, who ALWAYS gave me a run for the money. I would get within 5 pints of him and the next day, he would have 500 more...I used to get soooo pissed! (Andrew and I are off-site colleagues and still keep in touch).

    So, one day, Andrew disappeared, I took advantage, and grabbed #1...haven't let go for almost 6 months now.

    No to the meat and potatoes...WHY??!?!?!??

    At first, it was ONLY fun and an outstanding place to test my non-tradtional perspectives, methods, ideals, philosphies, etc...not to mention a GREAT place to learn. "I yearn to learn".

    Contrary to the somewhat conceited tones I may exude, I am truly the exact opposite. Can I be an ass? Sure!! Do I think I am "divine" or something (of which I have been accused on many occasions)? Absolutely not!!!

    I love the competition! There isn't a single person in the Top 25 that does not understand the inherent value of being there...and the drive to beat the person ahead of you. It's fun! I have multiplied my knowledge, expertise, network, associates and business by factors of 10. I really have a good time here...even when I get bitchy!

    Do I get business from the site? Yes. Why? I think it has to do with the law of ranking; #1 is ten times more likely than #10, hundred times more likely than #100 and so on. It wasn't until the end of March that I started to receive requests for business. It was then I realized what had happened...and jumped on that pony as soon as it was strong enough to stand. Persistance, quality, and ranking will pay off for everyone.

    I got lucky, by having a few people (now my clients) contact me out of the blue because I was able to make an impression in my responses. While I don't believe everyone who posts a question is ready to hire a consultant, some are...you have to pick them out..read between the lines...recognize a call for help versus a call for advice and/or approval. Some people are drowning and others just want to show-off or improve their back-stroke. Knowing the difference is vital if you are looking for a commercial return.

    So yes, Now...along with fun and education, I can add "revenue" to my list of motivations.

    I, as well (per my statement in the Insiders) do not like to be called an "expert" of anything. Flattering, but nothing taken to heart. BUT, I do take offense to subtle bashes at my integrity.

    Some of the newer members have dropped in at a time when my responses have been on the decline, and therefore question my status and knowledge quite frequenty in a real pathetic, passive-aggressive manner. For those of you (you know who you are) who would like to speak out...please do so and quit making comments like "...I enjoy the TRUELY EXPERT". This is not only an indirect blow at me, but the others as well. Just who do you find to NOT be and expert and why. VIRAGO?

    You have been called out. Make your case. I'm sick of whimpy little comments suggesting the rest of us are not competent without SOMETHING to back it up. Don't worry, this is an open discussion...I opened the can of worms..I can take it...so let's hear it and put an end to the "little comments".

  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 7/26/2004 at 12:52 PM Accepted
    The cameraderie, the thrill of the massive deals, the sweet scent of leather, mahogany, cashmere and silk in the board room, the endless supply of aged cognac and oh, wait, for a minute I was back in the 80's.

    Na, it's the fun of taxing my brain on different stuff than everyday, and the oft-derided bur fervent hope someone, one day, will need their strategy mapped and will have the money to pay me to do it commercially. Like my IRW clients.

    And the occasional well-handled scandal!

  • Posted on 7/26/2004 at 5:00 PM Accepted
    Top 5 reasons why I participate:

    1. Even if I don't respond to every question, I read quite a few. I like to do that just to see if I'm right. Like most women, I truly enjoy being right. I get a really really big thrill out of being right. KHE is my undisputed proof of that (well, ok. Not always. Which brings me to number 2 . . . ).

    2. I learn new things!

    3. The thrill of good ol' fashioned American competition.

    4. It's not every day that smart, savvy, and diverse professionals get together and hand out advice for free and for the fun of it. And keep coming back almost religiously. So I like to believe that I'm a part of something rare, something that's still evolving into something truly great.

    5. The goods. The juice. "The occasional well-handled scandal" (source: ChrisB) and the not-so-occasional funny post.
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 7/26/2004 at 11:04 PM Accepted
    Blaine,

    when you asked where are the customer service advocates I smile :-) (Here I Am...Blaine can you see me, Can you see me now!) LOL

    but the real reason why I participate has more to do with the spiritual qualities that I get an opportunity to examine as the answers fly by a 1,000 miles an hour.

    I enjoy helping others by serving and that puts a smile in my heart. There is no shame in my game only a spark in my heart to truly enjoy the social relationships.

    I love the cross cultural diversity and the zeal of the human spirit that is robust in some and faint in others.

    But when you get right down to the nitty gritty of why I participate...It's really quite simple "I LOVE EACH and EVERYONE of YOU" here at KHE and I'm so glad it took this forum to bring ***Us Together***. "And Love, Love will keep us together..."

    Together we are awesome and often times amazing in what we are together. The sum of the parts do not equal the whole. Is there anything this customer advocate, Customer Passion Evangelist can do for you Sir?

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (would have answered sooner but I just got back from Disney World)
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/27/2004 at 12:43 AM Author
    Thank you Deremiah! WE love you too!

    I'm just having a little fun....no offense meant to be taken...LOL.

    You are one hell of a positive energy force!

    Take Care and as always, I'll talk to you soon.
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/27/2004 at 9:04 AM Author
    Val- Oh..well I signed up on Christmas Day 2003, and the rankings were once calculated by a combination of points AND questions answered. I had answered the most and was #1. Then, it was switched to total points, and I went back to like #26, etc.

    It changed at least twice...that is in the way the overall experts were determined. I remember having to work my way back up a few times due to changes in the calculation.

    Anyway, no big deal.

    Why did I post here instead of "about our forum"? Because I believe the use of KHE is a part of one's strategy for increasing brand awareness, networking, etc. Also, nobody repsonds to questions in "About our Forum".

    Thanks Val!
  • Posted by Carl Crawford on 7/27/2004 at 10:16 AM Accepted
    hi jett,

    my computer broke down( i had a hell of a time trying to get TOSHIBA to fix the dam problem) and i havent been able to check my for 4 days.

    well anyway i had a whole lot of emails from KHE, and i am just starting to get though the back log, 200 to go.

    I am not an expert but i am ranked about 60th i think. i use this from to learn about marketing. i orignally was doing a major in energy managment and had to do a marketing paper to get the degree, but THIS SITE made me ENJOY marketing. Now i am doing a MAJOR in Marketing.

    i also wanted to meet people for a networking purposes for when i finished my degree.

    this site is "da bomb" so to put it.

    hope this helps

    Sweetasman01

    ps i finally got TOSHIBA to fix my computer after i sat in the store all day scaring of customers by telling them about what they did to me. he he they lost so much bussiness.
    • BACK TO TOP

    Post a Comment

    Related Discussions

    Community Info

    Top 25 Experts
    (Strategy)