You don't get to pick the communication channel/method, or How I Never Use LotusphereOnline Email
Category Lotusphere 2010 ls10
Last night I was logged on to the LotusphereOnline site, downloading a few items, and I noticed the mail file link. As you probably know, all attendees at Lotusphere get an event email account as part of their LotusphereOnline experience. But the email ID name is some obscure random number, and it's never anything I would remember. Furthermore, I already have a number of email accounts I regularly check, along with RSS feeds and Twitter. Why would I want to log into yet another site to view yet another email file that is only for a limited duration?
I will admit to using the email site MANY years ago as I had no other way to receive email easily during the event. I had no laptop, no access to work email, the kiosks at Lotusphere were locked into the LSOnline site only, and smart phones were still just a glimmer in some engineer's mind. But even then, it was a hit-or-miss proposition, and critical communication just never happened there.
So is it time to retire that part of LotusphereOnline? I'd contend it is, based on the number of "I don't use it either" replies I'm getting on Twitter in relation to that question.
And on a wider scale... There are a wide number of communication options available to everyone these days. Most people have two or more email accounts. They track Twitter. They blog, They use RSS to get important information into feed readers. And I'm sure I'm missing a number of other methods also. As a business, you have no power to compel someone to choose *your* preferred method of communication. At best, they'll ignore you. At worst, they'll walk. You need to make your message and communication available in a variety of avenues, and accommodate most any method people prefer. To ignore that is to place your business at risk.
Last night I was logged on to the LotusphereOnline site, downloading a few items, and I noticed the mail file link. As you probably know, all attendees at Lotusphere get an event email account as part of their LotusphereOnline experience. But the email ID name is some obscure random number, and it's never anything I would remember. Furthermore, I already have a number of email accounts I regularly check, along with RSS feeds and Twitter. Why would I want to log into yet another site to view yet another email file that is only for a limited duration?
I will admit to using the email site MANY years ago as I had no other way to receive email easily during the event. I had no laptop, no access to work email, the kiosks at Lotusphere were locked into the LSOnline site only, and smart phones were still just a glimmer in some engineer's mind. But even then, it was a hit-or-miss proposition, and critical communication just never happened there.
So is it time to retire that part of LotusphereOnline? I'd contend it is, based on the number of "I don't use it either" replies I'm getting on Twitter in relation to that question.
And on a wider scale... There are a wide number of communication options available to everyone these days. Most people have two or more email accounts. They track Twitter. They blog, They use RSS to get important information into feed readers. And I'm sure I'm missing a number of other methods also. As a business, you have no power to compel someone to choose *your* preferred method of communication. At best, they'll ignore you. At worst, they'll walk. You need to make your message and communication available in a variety of avenues, and accommodate most any method people prefer. To ignore that is to place your business at risk.
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