Subject:
|
Re: NDAs
|
Newsgroups:
|
lugnet.lego.direct
|
Date:
|
Mon, 12 Feb 2001 22:33:00 GMT
|
Reply-To:
|
johnneal@%AvoidSpam%uswest.net
|
Viewed:
|
829 times
|
| |
|
|
Lorbaat wrote:
> In lugnet.lego.direct, John Neal writes:
> >
> >
> > Lorbaat wrote:
>
> > > A gift? Please.
> >
> > No really. We all considered it a privilege to be invited.
>
> A priviledge, yes. A gift? No.
>
> LEGO got just as much, if not more, out of the meeting than you did.
>
> It's important to remember that LEGO is a company. LEGO is not your friend,
> it's not your enemy, it's not Santa's workshop. They don't do things out of
> the goodness of their hearts- nor should they be expected to do so.
>
> > Sure, LD has something to gain-- otherwise, as you say, they wouldn't have
> > invited
> > us. But a lot of the conversation was about how TLC can help out LTCs and
> > what
> > they are doing. We are talking about a 2 way street.
>
> Yes, I do know that LEGO was soliciting ideas about how to better service their
> customers, and how to better get realtively cheap advertising out of LTCs.
> Nothing wrong with that, certainly.
>
> Still doesn't constitute a "gift".
>
> > > In any event, this was not a "gift". They traded whatever they gave you for
> > > what you gave them- which is invaluable information for figuring out where
> > > their business is going to go.
> >
> > hehe, as if *we* have all the answers
>
> Well, frankly, I think you're underestimating how important your opinions as
> hardcore LEGO consumers is to the company. Let's not forget, they've been
> floundering lately. Sales flagging, layoffs, etc. They are in desperate need
> of figuring out a way to better their product offerings and maximise sales.
> And as consumers, you know what you want.
>
> > And even if I said, "You should offer X element in bulk, because I know a lot
> > of
> > people would buy it", and they do and they make a mint off of that advice, who
> > really benefits? Win-win.
>
> Uh, well, yeah.
>
> I think you're mistaking my trying to point out that this was not a "gift" for
> meaning that I somehow think the whole thing was flawed.
>
> Far from it! I think that both of these meetings- train and CAD- are excellent
> moves on LEGO Direct's part. I think it's an awe-inspring step closer to the
> consumer community, and clearly they value your input, or they wouldn't waste
> their time and money.
>
> However, the important thing to realise is that they *do* value your input, and
> that's why you were there, not because LEGO was trying to do something nice for
> you (or anyone).
>
> > > Frankly, even if they did pay your room and board, in my mind you would have
> > > done well to ask for a consultant's fee as well, and made *them* sign NDAs
> > > about the direction that the LDraw community is going to go in.
> >
> > This isn't about money, it's about our love for the brick.
>
> That was a bit of a joke, and I failed to make it clear. My fault. It was an
> exercise in reaching the logical conclusion about these meetings being a
> business move on LEGO's part, not a social gathering.
>
> To be clear, were I to be invited to a similar event, I would be excited and
> happy to take part. I would more than gladly trade my time and energy to help
> make LEGO a better company, and would feel honored to be invited.
But the meetings were just the beginning. They are history. The dialog continues
here with all AFOLs. We should all continue to provide input to help make TLC a
better company.
> it's smart for them to solicit fan/consumer feedback in such a serious and
> meaningful way. I'm excited by the possible outcomes in the consumer
> fields.
>
> But the meeting, while a great thing, was not a "gift".
Okay, your point is well taken. The term "gift" probably wasn't exactly what Tim
meant-- just that it was an honor to be invited.
> It's an important
> distinction, and a lot of the realisation that LEGO is a company, and acts like
> a company, is getting lost around Lugnet lately. I think everyone's
> expectations would be better filled if we all managed to remember what LEGO the
> company is, and what role LEGO Direct plays in that company.
Well, I tell you, it gets harder to think of TLC as a just company when you are
able to put faces on it. The people we met from LD are sincerely good folk who
are AFOLs themselves and have many of the same goals as we do. Even they can get
caught up in the bureaucracy of TLC. I doubt I'd do much different at all from
what LD is doing and will do. If I seem a little (a lot:) apologetic, it's
because I really believe that, at least with respect to LD, TLC is in *very*
capable hands.
-John
> eric
|
|
Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: NDAs
|
| Snipped for comedic effect. This is the last post, I gotta get back to work. (...) (1) (...) Except they get to build with their bricks at work without having to explain. 1 - Surely J2 meant "as JUST a company" as I never really thought of TLC as (...) (24 years ago, 12-Feb-01, to lugnet.lego.direct, lugnet.off-topic.fun)
|
Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: NDAs
|
| (...) A priviledge, yes. A gift? No. LEGO got just as much, if not more, out of the meeting than you did. It's important to remember that LEGO is a company. LEGO is not your friend, it's not your enemy, it's not Santa's workshop. They don't do (...) (24 years ago, 12-Feb-01, to lugnet.lego.direct)
|
31 Messages in This Thread:
 
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
This Message and its Replies on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
