Commercial Postings

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for some kind of regulation that explains what is worthy of getting posted. I think most of us are smart enough to tell when we are getting a sales pitch.

Keep in mind that flashing advertisements from industry suppliers are paying for this opportunity to exchange information. If they want to hop on a say a few things about their products, so be it.

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My Opinion/Editorial-

Being a frequent (nearly daily) visitor to SMTnet I find postings by some sales types as being a shameless shilling to drum up business. We even experienced (most recently)an audacious posting that was thinly disguised as being a valid question, when in fact, it was a sales rep trying to set up a product.

This kind of thing is what got up the dander of more than a few and prompted the creation of this particular thread. There is no argument or suggestion that qualified experience and answers are not welcomed from the Sales community. I agree that they can (and have)provide "Value Added Services".

However, I would also encourage the Sysop the ability to remove or censor postings that are obvious shameless in intent. The very fact that this censorship could happen would act as a detriment to those that practice abuse of trust to the unsuspecting.

As a side note - the last few weeks have been relatively quiet of postings that are of the shameless nature previously described.

This opinion is solely independent and does not reflect the opinions of the SMTnet management.

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We agree in substance and what we are discussing is: degree and perception. There have been many useful, well thoughtout postings on SMTnet by sales types. And the intent of this discussion is to promote more of those contributions, because many sales types are exposed to a broader range of problems and their solutions than practitioners.

Upfront, I apologize if breaking-down your comments dilutes some intent, but the important part is getting on with the discussion. Commenting on your points �

�It seems to me that this site is most helpful if anyone can supply a solution rather than just an idea to solve a person�s problem.� Yes, a solution that has worked is superior to an idea that might work. So, we'd rather these tried solutions.

�In many cases a simple piece of equipment or adjustment to a piece of equipment will solve a problem that the person does not know about. I would think that frequently manufacturers that monitor this site could offer assistance that would be a good positive thing in addition to all other comments and ideas.� Yes, but that�s not the issue. The issue is balance. Some manufacturers and their representatives suggest solutions that focus only on their product, neglecting to propose a range of alternatives. Other manufacturers and their representatives propose solutions that recognize their competitors� products. The art becomes crafting a posting that is responsive, balanced, and promotes the manufacturer as a contributor.

�I agree if someone has a major problem with a supplier that they have talked to the supplier about and could not resolve it should also be noted where appropriate.� Yes, it would be nice if more suppliers monitored and responded to the postings of specific problems in their equipment. In past years, some equipment users posted blistering rants about products, often out of frustration with their perception of poor response by the supplier. We don�t see that much nowadays.

Continuing, questions about the capabilities of or solving problems with specific equipment often don�t receive proper attention. Now, that�s a great sales opportunity where no one would suggest that a competitor should be recognized as an alternate solution. Guessing, questions of that type are maybe 20% of the postings on SMTnet.

�Of course everyone is mining for leads, isn't one persons problem the primary thing a good salesperson is suppose to help solve, its called value added selling.� Yes, mining for leads is good. Solving problems is good. Value-added selling is good.

�Blatant nonspecific references to a company�s product should not be posted, but if it includes detailed information on how that will solve the problem mentioned then that is a good thing.� Yes, advertisements should appear as banners, not as postings to threads. Some sales types post technical information that includes more than one potential supplier. Those that post information, but only reference a single supplier are kidding no one in their intent. And those are the people that we are talking about here.

�Additionally, adding items to archives makes sense to me as you continue to build on a solution base, otherwise why have the archive in the first place.� Agreed. The SMTnet Archives is a valuable resource, especially for someone seeking answers NOW and willing to acknowledge that their problem may not be unique.

�Obviously SMTnet has to continue to monitor the site and make appropriate adjustments.� Sounds good, but SMTnet administrators� ability to make �appropriate adjustments� is limited. While they can screen clearly inappropriate original postings, their ability / willingness to make close calls on follow-up postings is not as clear-cut. And well it should be. They should not be the filter, Forum participants should responsible. Sales-types should be disciplined in their postings to focus on the needs of SMTnet first and their principal second. If they don�t, the attention they will draw will focus more attention on the appropriateness of their posting than the potential effectiveness of their product in providing the solution the poster seeks.

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JD

I agree with everything that you said. Good pledge!!!

Let me try to be clearer. I appreciate that no one wants to start or participate in a �negative selling battle�, where they are forced to say negative things about their competitors� products or defend negative things said about their products. And I�m not proposing that anyone start doing that, because as much as sellers dislike doing that, I dislike hearing it. I get irritated by people that speak half-truths and innuendo about another supplier, because they force me to run-down those statements with the other supplier, which irritates the other supplier, and then makes that supplier want to respond in-kind, which then could force me onto another round of verification.

The creditability of one seller that is down-selling another�s product is very low. In fact as you say, one seller has no business commenting on another seller�s product in this forum.

Let me be more specific about my point. I�m not suggesting anything of the nature of negative selling or talking-down competitors� products. * On one hand, I�d prefer a simple listing of the companies and contacts for two or more potential suppliers of products or services that could solve the problem at hand. * On the other hand, I recognize there are limits to all of our better natures. [Most of us still have those nutritional problems.] And this IS a GREAT platform to discuss solutions to problems. And if the responses were limited to "Here, go check with these suppliers ... ", we'd miss-out on GREAT opportunites for exchanging, questioning, and discussing ideas. * So as a middle ground, it seems reasonable to allow promotion of a single product as a perfect solution to a problem, but the posting should close with wording to the effect of: �Other potential suppliers of this product are:� [followed by a telephone book-like list of suppliers]. That�s it. No diatribes, no discussion of competitors� product features or lack there of, just a simple recognition of the alternate suppliers that could be considered. And here�s a real bone, the list doesn�t even have to be complete or include the top suppliers. * If that concession is so heretical that it makes the sellers stomach boil: Say what you have to say, but reference no company names or products and close with a link to your e-mail address.

This allows forum members to benefit from a broad range of experience and perspectives. It gives sellers an opportunity to promote their product.

Finally, those sellers that seek the ultimate platform to promote their product on SMTnet, virtually uncontested, should arrange an On-Board Forum appearance.

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