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Based on questions posed in this newsgroup and elsewhere, here are a few
questions for you - the LEGO Community:
- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
This is a chance for you to share your insight on what you think we do, and what
you think this program should be. Also, what exactly would you like to see from
your current Ambassadors? Please be specific, and candid.
We appreciate your comments, and look forward to hearing them.
Thank you,
“Big Daddy” Nelson
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> * [What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?]
I think it is an attempt to find a scalable solution to the problem of a
large AFOL community that actively seeks to communicate with and influence
TLC. I think the Ambassadors are intended to provide input on the "sense of
the community" (especially if the community is unhappy) and to be a
confidential sounding board for new ideas.
> * [What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?]
See above. I'm happy enough with it as it stands. It would be nice if there
were some funds to allow the ambassadors to travel to other cities for their
local events, but I recognise that might increase the cost of the programme.
I think it appropriate that the ambassadors be drawn in some approximate
proportion to the level of Lego activity in their parts of the world,
provided all of the smaller (in the sense of Lego interest) countries get an
occasional turn. I think the ambassadors should represent their community,
which implies they should possess the objectivity to be able to distinguish
"what I hear the community saying" from "what I personally think" (a talent
in short supply on LUGnet at times). While I think it makes sense to have
long-standing ambassadors, if they are doing a good job, maybe it does make
sense to put a limit on the number of consecutive terms, just to bring in
some fresh blood (I'd have no objection to long-standing ambassadors coming
back after a short break though).
And, of course, I'd like the Ambassadors to have a veto over any colour
changes, and any changes to the size of studs, or any other aspect inherent
to the interconnectivity that we expect from the Lego "System".
Kerry
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> In lugnet.ambassadors, Kerry Raymond wrote:
> > * [What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?]
>
> I think it is an attempt to find a scalable solution to the problem of a
> large AFOL community that actively seeks to communicate with and influence
> TLC. I think the Ambassadors are intended to provide input on the "sense of
> the community" (especially if the community is unhappy) and to be a
> confidential sounding board for new ideas.
>
> > * [What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?]
>
> See above. I'm happy enough with it as it stands. It would be nice if there
> were some funds to allow the ambassadors to travel to other cities for their
> local events, but I recognise that might increase the cost of the programme.
> I think it appropriate that the ambassadors be drawn in some approximate
> proportion to the level of Lego activity in their parts of the world,
> provided all of the smaller (in the sense of Lego interest) countries get an
> occasional turn. I think the ambassadors should represent their community,
> which implies they should possess the objectivity to be able to distinguish
> "what I hear the community saying" from "what I personally think" (a talent
> in short supply on LUGnet at times). While I think it makes sense to have
> long-standing ambassadors, if they are doing a good job, maybe it does make
> sense to put a limit on the number of consecutive terms, just to bring in
> some fresh blood (I'd have no objection to long-standing ambassadors coming
> back after a short break though).
>
> And, of course, I'd like the Ambassadors to have a veto over any colour
> changes, and any changes to the size of studs, or any other aspect inherent
> to the interconnectivity that we expect from the Lego "System".
>
> Kerry
I have to agree on what Kerry said and I would also like to hear a little more
about what the results are and not just to be shown at a later date (this is of
whatever is being discussed).
For the LA to also share a little bit of information with the 'outside' AFOLs
and to communicate with them on a level where we also know what is happening and
that we too, can have a say on a few things that will also, ultimately affect
us!
Mel
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I agree with how the program was all ready described above... The main addition
I would like to make would be to have a specific ambassador dedicated to all the
small lego regions collectively. It is true certain ambassadors frequent certain
sites and you can communicate with them that way, but it would be nice to have a
single web based ambassador for all the countries without full Lugs... Ireland
and NZ are good examples as well as many asian countries.
Thanks much and God Bless,
Nathan
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
| |
Based on questions posed in this newsgroup and elsewhere, here are a few
questions for you - the LEGO Community:
- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
This is a chance for you to share your insight on what you think we do, and
what you think this program should be. Also, what exactly would you like to
see from your current Ambassadors? Please be specific, and candid.
We appreciate your comments, and look forward to hearing them.
|
I really think that the LA program needs to provide more feed back to the
community, nothing to break the NDA but there should be some kind of
communication to let the community know that the LA team is still working hard.
I know sometimes between cycles very little will be heard about the LAs and I
believe that gives the impression that they are not working (even though I know
from experience that they are ). I fear with the new cycles of a year long the
silence from the LAs could even be greater.
Just some simple progress reports would be nice, even if it’s something very
high level with out details.
I felt this was an issue even when I was a part of the program as well, so I’m
not saying it’s anything new with the current group.
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In lugnet.ambassadors, James Trobaugh wrote:
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
| |
Based on questions posed in this newsgroup and elsewhere, here are a few
questions for you - the LEGO Community:
- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
This is a chance for you to share your insight on what you think we do, and
what you think this program should be. Also, what exactly would you like to
see from your current Ambassadors? Please be specific, and candid.
We appreciate your comments, and look forward to hearing them.
|
Just some simple progress reports would be nice, even if it’s something very
high level with out details.
|
I agree with this. Just an update now and then, like meeting minutes or
something would be nice. I’d like to know what issues (good and bad) are being
presented to TLG by the Ambassadors.
With that said, I’d like TLG to know that I really appreciate the dark red
bricks I’ve been finding in PAB and online PAB lately. Also, I’d like to throw
in my latest desire for dark tan bricks to show up in sets and the various
PAB’s, please.
Thanks!
Jonathan
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
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- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
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Personally, I think it is about TLG making more money and trying to quiet the
masses (the few outspoken actually) of AFOLs who dislike change.
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- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
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Based on hours and hours (hahaha) of detailed research of several AFOLs Jlug
posts, I have compiled the following things it should be about:
° T-shirts
° Free Lego
° Bringing back old grey
° Saving 9V trains
° Bringing back Classic Space (or replacing with SPACE CITY!)
° Returning to a Complete (1960’s era) Window System (CWS)
° No blue axle pins
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
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- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
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As has been stated, I think it’s a way of giving pre-emptive fan feedback to
Lego. Rather than getting feedback *after* a set is released, fans can have a
small input factor a bit earlier on.
I think it’s also about marketing to AFOLs. People who believe that the company
is listening to its fans are more likely to be a bit kinder to them in their
reactions. It gives Lego the opportunity to say “we really ARE listening”, even
though in truth, they don’t have to do anything about it.
Also, it makes fans more likely to purchase sets, because they feel some degree
more of personal connection to the products.
The benefit for fans is mostly seen when Lego products and programs are improved
thanks to ambassador input. Of course, it’s hard to tell whether or not the
ambassadors really ARE improving things, but I believe that they are, even if
it’s a limited extent.
It’s also about encouraging fans to get involved in the community and build it
up further. Sort of a “reward” for being a recognized member of the community.
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- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
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I think you should change the name of the program. To me, “Ambassador” implies
two-way communication that we don’t get, and aren’t likely to get.
When this program was announced, the fans wanted what all fans want. They want
to know everything from the minute details to the executive summaries of every
project and product that Lego has. Fans want to know “why was this piece used”
and “when can I buy X” and “what’s the most expensive piece” and “what sets are
coming out in the future”.
Ambassadors (from my understanding) aren’t told about the various inner workings
and dealings of the company. And if they are, it may not be clear that they can
communicate those things back to the fan community, thanks to the NDA’s that
they have to agree to. I believe they pretty much err on the side of caution,
and ask permission for each snippit of information they know.
If you’ve ever sat down and talked to Lego employees (people in the know, not
necessarily retail cashiers or phone operators), compare that to a conversation
with a Lego Ambassador and you’ll probably see the difference. In my experience,
Lego employees generally have a good sense for what’s public information and
what isn’t. And they’re (often) eager to talk with you about it. Lego
Ambassadors either don’t know the details (because they’re generally there to
talk about new products, not other goings-on), or they’re not sure if they can
tell you.
If it’s truly going to be an “Ambassador” program, I think there should be a
focus on two-way communication. If someone wants to know “will the boxes
eligible to have gold C-3P0’s in them be marked as such?”, a Lego Ambassador
should be able to field the answer. And they should be able to do so by asking
Lego, and getting a useful, timely reply. But that perhaps puts undue pressure
on Lego. Right now (I think), the communication point from Ambassadors
to-and-from Lego is Steve and Jan. Expanding their responsibilities or the
responsibilities of others in the company may not be worthwhile.
If you go back and read Jake’s initial announcement of the Ambassador program
(http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=3116), you’ll notice that it doesn’t really
say anything about communication from Ambassadors back to the community. From
the sounds of it, it really sounds like Jake was looking for two things from
Ambassadors: strong involvement in the Lego fan community, and feedback for the
Lego company.
In short, I think everyone’s hopes were inflated by the use of the word
“Ambassador”. I’m not sure what word I’d suggest instead, but I think the
program may not quite be appropriately named.
DaveE
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In lugnet.ambassadors, David Eaton wrote:
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In short, I think everyone’s hopes were inflated by the use of the word
“Ambassador”. I’m not sure what word I’d suggest instead, but I think the
program may not quite be appropriately named.
|
I believe the phrase you’re looking for is ‘marketing focus group’.
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
| |
Based on questions posed in this newsgroup and elsewhere, here are a few
questions for you - the LEGO Community:
- What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
- What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
This is a chance for you to share your insight on what you think we do, and
what you think this program should be. Also, what exactly would you like to
see from your current Ambassadors? Please be specific, and candid.
We appreciate your comments, and look forward to hearing them.
Thank you,
“Big Daddy” Nelson
|
Nelson--
1. I presume that the Ambassador program is designed to act as a sort of bridge
between TLG and the AFOL base...and to aid in the inspiration for building
stuff. At least, that’s what it says on the LEGO website. (See? Some of us read
through all the stuff in the Press Release and About Us sections!)
2. This is all well and good...but I’d like to see some sort of feedback from
this group, so we actually know what it is that you really do. I know there is
some sort of NDA; there needs to be. But there really ought to be a way to
communicate with the AFOL base, without revealing “trade secrets.” (Heck, I’d
even transcribe meeting minutes for public consumption; as one who takes
pastor-parishioner secrets seriously it’d be easy enough to do.)
Just my 2 bits worth--
Play Well and Prosper!
Matthew
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What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?
I think it’s about getting fan input from the LEGO community to appropriate
places within the LEGO Group. Specifically, I think it’s a “pull” process where
TLG requests info from Ambassadors (in the form of polls, forum posts and
discussions, etc) who solicit comments from the community at large as well as
provide their own insight. At least, that’s what my 3 cycles as an Ambassador
taught me.
What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?
I think it should be more of a 2-way street. Initially, I think it was meant to
be that way (at least that’s my take), but that seemed to shift during the 18
months I was involved to more of the one-way model I described above.
For example, Ambassadors lobbied (successfully) to be able to make some
“official” announcements (or pre-announcements, if you will) like when a newer
version of LDD would be released. But I think that was the exception to the
rule, and I haven’t seen much in the way of Ambassadors bringing stuff back out
of the process. I know a lot of it can’t always be divulged (heck, I still know
of stuff that hasn’t been released, more than a year after leaving the program),
but something is better than nothing. Status reports, etc. (Yes, I know, I was
asked to do one and I never did... mea culpa.)
I would like to see more public “ambassadorial” activities, too. One of the
earliest things we discussed was how an ambassador behaves at public events, as
a semi-official voice in the fan community. I recall Felix having some excellent
points about that subject. But apart from the highly embarrassing keynote speech
I gave as an ambassador during NWBC a year or two ago, I don’t know of much
publicly being done by Ambassadors in their “official” capacities.
This implies that TLG would divulge more info to Ambassadors, perhaps basic
background info. Which I’m not sure the company is ready to do.
Speak up! Speak out! I know how much effort goes into being an Ambassador - let
everyone else know too! TLG, give ‘em something to say!
Ahem. I’m done now.
Kelly
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> For example, Ambassadors lobbied (successfully) to be able to make some
> "official" announcements (or pre-announcements, if you will) like when a
> newer
> version of LDD would be released. But I think that was the exception to
> the
> rule, and I haven't seen much in the way of Ambassadors bringing stuff
> back out
> of the process. I know a lot of it can't always be divulged (heck, I still
> know
> of stuff that hasn't been released, more than a year after leaving the
> program),
> but something is better than nothing.
As I think we all have noticed on the retail shelves, TLC has its
competitors, who make similar but cheaper products. One presumes TLC are not
keen to do anything to give their competitors a heads-up on their plans. And
"pre-announced by ambassadors to the AFOL community" is public knowledge.
I suspect that newer versions of LDD can be an exception precisely because
the competitors aren't in that space (yet).
Kerry
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Nelson Yrizarry wrote:
> Based on questions posed in this newsgroup and elsewhere, here are a few
> questions for you - the LEGO Community:
>
> * [What do you think the LEGO Ambassador program is about?]
It’s an extremely low overhead research and development team of AFOLs that TLC
can go to with ideas, get ideas from and test products and or get opinions on.
it also provides a small group of people to go between TLC and the community at
large which makes things easier for all.
>
> * [What should the LEGO Ambassador program be about?]
The same thing I said above without it being largely a popularity contest. More
emphasis should be placed on innovation and outward creativity with the product
lines. Individuals should be chosen based on what they have contributed to the
community as a whole no matter what theme or product they prefer.
To be truthful, I am very interested in the program and I’d love to be involved
but since I’m seen "as not very active" I feel as if I have no chance. I would
like to think that my creativity and innovation with several products (1) has
improved my chances but i still wonder.
Ondrew
p.s I did mean to apply for round 5 but couldn't find the information I needed
when I went to do so. I didn't know there was a lugnet.ambassadors. Oops
(1) Most notably the double crossover but there are several things. See my
brickshelf gallery for details:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=roj2323
>
> This is a chance for you to share your insight on what you think we do, and
> what you think this program should be. Also, what exactly would you like to
> see from your current Ambassadors? Please be specific, and candid.
>
> We appreciate your comments, and look forward to hearing them.
>
>
> Thank you,¬
> "Big Daddy" Nelson
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