MarketingProfs' Members Register for B2B Forum 2010 for just $695! (good until 11/30) »

Ask your question ... sign up today! It's FREE!
Our Forum     
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
Is It Fair?
Posted By: farfromnormal* on 2/20/2007 12:06 AM (CST) 250 Points
Please apologize if my query is inappropriate.

I kept thinking, as to - in this question answer session
where points are awarded and rejected.

Awarding points - where question gets closed by the manager. due to time and space limit.

I am an intermediate marketing expert and my purpose of being here on the mprofs, was to give genuine opinion and suggestion. My ego gets a boost when my suggestions are being accepted.
And at times, points are given still when I am asking a question to the author, during the closing of the session.

Is it fair?I am not sure...

Posted by: bijlani.ritesh Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 3:04 AM (CST)
Hey there , it seems like a relevant query.Its a great feeling when your opinion is accepted , but there is only one scenario to this.scenario would be if a person posts in the question and the discussion doesnt take place for a long time marketing profs allots the points/no. of responses except author , so in this sense you get points to your question as by default it takes that as a response.So for that its the responsibility of the author to involve himself in the discussion and then allott the points.

So its basically a default application which works on the background but its not fair for sure but even sometimes the question answers the query.
 
Posted by: KathySmithFilms* Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 6:41 AM (CST)
Hi farfromnormal,

In order to play a game we have to be willing to win or lose. I know this is fair and does balance out. When you read what answers were not accepted, they were'nt wrong answers--alot get validated by the author--just not chosen. It's quite arbitrary. Doesn't it brighten one's day to get some points? I read what the experts write even when not chosen and their answers are just priceless. I mean, I would have paid for a consulting session and created an expansion.

When you open your e-mail and get a "congratulations" from marketingprofs...the world is just a better place in that moment!
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 6:51 AM (CST)
To the ego, nothing is fair until it wins.
One needs to accept whatever ruling comes down from this site. If the sponsor closes a post due to non-activity, that is just the way it is. If you are not chosen by a poster, then your information did not meet their criteria. You did not lose-you did not win.

It is the way it is here. One can not change what is, not even an inflated ego.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: kevin.horne Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 12:46 PM (CST)
What a timely post! I participate for similar reasons, and tend to be very selective about what I answer - things I feel I have knowledge and can add value. It's the reason I tend to avoid the "give me a tagline" questions, for instance. And it's also the reason my answers are probably too lengthy!

Be that as it may, I too have been disappointed in the outcomes at times. Just recently a questioner had his points returned to him since he was unsatisfied with my, and 3 other, responses. And currently, I have a positive comment from a 500-point questioner on my answer alone, yet he didn't award points yet! So I'm sure in a few days the question will be closed and I'll share the points with the other 6 responders, regardless of quality.

Fair? No. It is what it is, as others are implying? Yes, unless we question it. I have contacted the moderators a few times to understand better how this all works. At this point I am almost embarrassed to do it again, as I feel like a squeaky wheel. But I would encourage you to contact them - they are responsive and understanding. Whether things will change is doubtful - this could become a very costly thing for mprofs to manage more closely than they do today. For example, I've wondered why there isn't a system that automatically reaches out via e-mail to the original poster after "x" days of inactivity to encourage them to close it instead of the moderator doing it. Maybe you can ask the moderator about that - I am afraid to!!!

Anyway, as one other has alluded, if people are reading and learning from all the responses - not just the accepted ones - then we can all take some pride in that.
 
Posted by: NuCoPro Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 1:32 PM (CST)
The original poster does get periodic notifications regarding their question. Also, the members have always strongly encouraged question posters to post occasional responses to enrich the dialogue - unfortunately, some people don't.

Most of the "problems" cited revolve around first time visitors who don't quite understand the mechanics and/or the "customs" of our Forum. You rarely, if ever, find an experienced questioner not following "Generally Accepted Forum Practices"!

I've had occurances where I provided the answer that really hit the mark, only to not get any points! In almost all cases this was because it was a first time questioner and they didn't know they could split the points across mulitiple respondents. I've also got lots of small amounts of points from being a respondent on a question that our Forum administrators had to close - it all evens out over the long term!
 
Posted by: Jon Aston Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 2:24 PM (CST)
Points, schmoints.
 
Posted by: wnelson Accepted Answer
2/20/2007 5:44 PM (CST)
Hi, Palak,

When an author "orphans" a question and the staff close it out and award everyone points, I feel cheated and used. I believe if an author is really interested, the process ought to be close-circle. When someone submits a question, I believe as long as it's a legitimate question, the question author should attempt to clarify for the benefit of all of us on the forum. Of course, if someone submits a flippant response or question that nullifies the author or the participants, this adds nothing to the forum and is disrespectful. It's like our mothers used to tell us: If you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything.

If I interpret your question correctly, you may be asking if it's fair that an author awards you points when you didn't contribute anything but a clarifying question. There's two sides to this where I believe it is indeed fair to award points for a clarifying question:
  1. When the clarifying question unlocks some information and the author yields much more knowledge from other experts. This is what the forum is all about and the person submitting the clarifying question deserves credit for his insight in asking the good question.

  2. When a clarifying question unlocks a missing piece of information for the author - clarifies the author's mind - without even needing the experts to contribute. Again, the question is insightful and deserves a reward.

I hope this helps.

Wayde
 
Posted by: farfromnormal* Author Response
2/20/2007 11:32 PM (CST)
All great responses...Points given to all:)
I agree with you Dr. Nelson. The tips you gave me last time were of great help.

I could sense some disappointment on the way things are here. Hope the moderators are watching and will do something about it.

To get the author attention/participation more frequently...

Also here, to know how helpful I am for people, and not only for point collection...

Regardless of whatever, I still feel good to be here.
Any more to come..?
 
Posted by: carrie77 Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 7:10 AM (CST)
Hi -

Since I'm the person who closes the questions when the asker disappears, let me explain a bit about the MP process.

Firstly, question askers are sent 2 emails that tell them the number of responses they have received and asking them to go back to their question and accept responses or post additional information if that is what the responders need.

I only close questions if they have had no activity for 10 days or if they have been hanging around for a long time. Since I do not make value judgments as to the relative value of the responses, I award points to each respondent. The only caveat - if someone has given more than 1 response, I only accept 1. Sort of like "unique opens" in email marketing.

Quite honestly, there is nothing we can do to "force" an asker to accept responese or close their questions.

As to closing questions and refunding points at the asker's request. This is a case of the customer is always right. So, if requested, we will close the question and refund the points.

Carrie (Production Editor)
 
Posted by: BARQ Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 7:33 AM (CST)
Contrary to popular belief, LIFE IS FAIR...

(on a scale of poor to excellent).

As for this forum, I'd say it is closer to excellent than to fair. We are responsibile for our own participation, and make judgements on the forum's value each time points are awarded or comments are made about our answers by the askers or experts. We can either be satisfied with what we get or we can go away.

That's what makes life fair.


BARQ
 
Posted by: Harry Hallman Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 8:54 AM (CST)
To be honest, if you are giving your marketing opinions just to get points and make you feel good you are in the wrong business. Marketing is not fair.

You can spend weeks on a proposal you think is the best program anyone in the world has ever created only to loose the project to the CEO's nephew who just graduated community college with an associate in marketing.

The real reason to be part of this forum is to learn. Every time you give an opinion you learn. Every time you ask a question you learn. Every time you read the questions and answers of others you learn. That is the payoff not points.
 
Posted by: telemoxie Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 9:05 AM (CST)
It would be nice if folks would thank us for the help we have given, but that won't happen 100% of the time. I think the moderators do a good job of closing questions...

... but if I could make a suggestion, I'd suggest that we receive a different email, e.g. "a question you responded to has been closed..." or something, when the moderator closes a question and awards points. To me, the main disappointment (and waste of time) comes when I receive a "Congratulations" message - and open the link to see the comments from the person asking the question - and only find a friendly note from the Moderators.
 
Posted by: BARQ Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 9:57 AM (CST)
If the asker provides no background to the question with which to work, no credible marketing scenario, or no answers to an expert's follow-up queries, I look at the asker's profile. If the asker has been a "MarketingProfs Member Since" that same day, I don't anticipate that any answer will be appreciated, and usually skip it.

Many of the questioners have the answers available in the forum archives, but are not committed to this site enough to do their own research.

There HAVE been fewer real estate tagline requests lately... maybe there are now fewer new real estate brokers coming into the market.

Yeah, right.


BARQ
 
Posted by: proeditor Accepted Answer
2/21/2007 7:27 PM (CST)
I too am disappointed when Carrie closes a question to which I thought I had submitted the best answer. But I can understand why it has to be done. The real problem stems from authors not closing out their own questions and awarding points. I will never understand why someone bothers to ask a question if they don't care enough to thank the participants and award points. But that's the way some of them are. And I love this forum anyway.

Twice, I have had question-posters email me to ask additional questions, and I have taken a lot of time to answer them, only to never hear from them again! That's just plain rude. Oh well.

Since I have never posted a question, I don't know how clear the instructions are. Carrie, do they clearly state that participants depend on feedback from the question-posters and clearly encourage posters to award points in a timely manner? Some of the questions/answers are so intriguing that it leaves you hanging if you never find out the end result. After a while, I suppose I might get tired of having my suggestions go into a black hole. And if that happens often enough, I may eventually tire of the site. Carrie, maybe in the instructions, you could refer them to this question or quote from some of the comments here.

I found one way to educate a question-poster and solve the problem though. Recently someone posted a question, and I knew she was the same person who had posted a similar question that Carrie closed out. So in the new question, I said something like "Please don't let this one be automatically closed-- we really want to see what you decided." Sure enough, this time, she awarded points herself, and told us what she had decided. It was so much more satisfying! So at least one question-poster has been reformed! Try it if you notice a repeat poster doing the same thing.

karen
 
Posted by: farfromnormal* Author Response
2/22/2007 12:52 AM (CST)
hey enough of despair...lets all cheerup!
and do our bit..however...
lets talk good things now...

will close the question in a day or two, by giving each one a cheers!

Thanks...keep going. keep the spirit high..soaring high...
 
Posted by: Annelies Member Response
2/23/2007 2:32 PM (CST)
When my advice is not accepted, I think I still need to learn... When I'm posting an answer on a subject I know I'm good in and this answer is not accepted or you did not get an answer in time to give decent advice, I think: It's up to one to accept or not accept good advice. Later they will say: damn, I was wrong or I should have given it more thought. This forum is good to practice my english and do some great thinking excercises. I win even when my advice was not rewarded.
 
Posted by: excellira Member Response
4/24/2007 1:37 AM (CST)
I think this question is interesting. The marketing profs forum post system is similar to design contests. If you post a question, you really have an obligation to those folks who help you. You should exhibit the professional care to complete your obligation and provide feedback.

If the poster does not fulfill their obligations I think that marketing profs should take twice the points away from the poster. The extra points should be donated to a pool for charitable organizations to use or be put to some other good purpose.
 


Get more answers ... ReTweet this!

Would you like to post a response?
Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation.
All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right).
Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).




Know-How Exchange powered by MarketingProfs


Sponsored Links

Buy a Link Now

Just Released ... Download Today!
Just Released ... Download Today!
Look inside
Included with Premium Membership
User Name:
Password:
Remember Me
Forgot your password?

Top 25 KHE Experts
(Our Forum)
Michele (2877)
NuCoPro (2866)
mgoodman (2516)
Deremiah *CPE (2318)
Pepper Blue (2307)
telemoxie (2187)
SteveByrneBranding (1960)
BARQ (1954)
SRyan ;] (1928)
stevea (1722)
Juliet (1692)
PhilGrisolia=Results (1465)
ASVP/ChrisB (1369)
Jay Hamilton-Roth (1331)
mbarber (1234)
W.M.M.A. (1161)
darcy.moen (1138)
Carl Crawford (1018)
Gary Bloomer (1005)
DavidatHaley (1000)
carrie77 (882)
Mushfique Manzoor (815)
thinkmor (792)
D4Demand (678)
TenaciousMarketer (623)
Recently Posted Marketing Jobs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Demand Generation Manager
Marketing/Advertising Faculty
Director of Marketing
Market Analyst
Sr. Field Marketing Manager - Business Intell.
Associate Vice President of Marketing and Corporat
Marketing Manager
[more jobs]

Join over 355,000 members ... SIGN UP!

My email address is and I'd like my password to be .

Already a member? Sign In!

My email address is , and my password is .


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.