----- Original Message -----
Sent: June 29, 1999 9:17 PM
Subject: Re: Global Users Groups
User's Groups are a fact of life, but do
little to help the vendor. I say this after 20 years in these types of
businesses. Generally, it is a good indication that the company has
grown, and user's groups will generally sniff out the weaknesses and go for
the juggular vein when they get a chance. There are definite elements
that you want to set up:
- annual meeting
- some board of customers that is in charge of running
meeetings so company doesn't have to spend alot of time planning, setting up
meals, etc. In other words, they've got to take responsibility for it
to be a success, and they've got to pay for getting there, hotels,
etc. Informal groups at first meeting at one of the customer sites is
most likely scenario of regional group. It's the "national" groups
that get tough to handle. Keep it local and make them take
responsibility for alot of it. Just my suggestion.
A number of Global customers in Ontario have suggested
forming a Global Users Group.
Do we have user groups in other areas? If so,
would you reply with contacts or even better suggestions as to how these
were set up, the benefit for the present users and the attraction of future
customers to a users group.
Thank you
Greg Forsythe