Firstly, I use the term customer service because SMF is an NPO. I know they are providing a free software and its volunteers but the fact they are an NPO, attempts to set them in a more "professional level" of software development and providing, even if it is free.
I am getting a PhD in management and have had plenty of business and marketing classes to know what is good for a brand and what is bad for a brand. I am seeing a lot of bad things going down at SMF that is horrible for their brand and reputation and I figured I'd give it a full review here and see what you all think of it.
The other day, I suggest a new feature for SMF. Now if the feature was considered a bad idea or better as a mod, that would be fine with me. I never expected anyone to implement it. I just wanted to post the idea and get feedback for it. IMO, it was a good idea. :) Anyways, an official member of support came on the topic and said this and I quote "remember.... people are stupid. we'll get complaints "How do I make a new poll?!?!?!"" Now some of you may be thinking, This is true as some people will not be able to comprehend the change and be confused. However, I am not thinking that... I am looking at it in a business perspective, I am seeing an official team member say that the software in which they represent has stupid customers. If I was a new comer and saw this, I'd take offense and likely move on to another software such as PhpBB or MyBB or paid solution. Why? Because I saw a staff member post something that basically says we do not appreciate our customers. Now if I was the owner or CEO of a business and I saw an employee conduct this sort of irresponsible behavior, it would end in a termination. The support team member represents the software provider and so anything they say in relation to the provider will go against that provider. Its all about putting yourself in the shoes of a regular and potential customer.
The other thing is, I had deactivated my account on SMF a while ago to take a break from it. I mean I don't take the support members very seriously anyways so if I need support, I can just get it right off of AAF without having to wade through bull shit and insults. The reason I had deactivated the account was because, again, official support members were seemly trying to post things that would offend Americans. Now I am an American but I am not one of the ones who thinks we are the best and the shit, however, I will defend my honor... I would love to see every America who uses SMF to stop using it and see how their usage stats drop. It could of been any country, you don't treat your customers like shit, period.
Thoughts on my observations?
Discuss... Debate... :)
I am getting a PhD in management and have had plenty of business and marketing classes to know what is good for a brand and what is bad for a brand. I am seeing a lot of bad things going down at SMF that is horrible for their brand and reputation and I figured I'd give it a full review here and see what you all think of it.
The other day, I suggest a new feature for SMF. Now if the feature was considered a bad idea or better as a mod, that would be fine with me. I never expected anyone to implement it. I just wanted to post the idea and get feedback for it. IMO, it was a good idea. :) Anyways, an official member of support came on the topic and said this and I quote "remember.... people are stupid. we'll get complaints "How do I make a new poll?!?!?!"" Now some of you may be thinking, This is true as some people will not be able to comprehend the change and be confused. However, I am not thinking that... I am looking at it in a business perspective, I am seeing an official team member say that the software in which they represent has stupid customers. If I was a new comer and saw this, I'd take offense and likely move on to another software such as PhpBB or MyBB or paid solution. Why? Because I saw a staff member post something that basically says we do not appreciate our customers. Now if I was the owner or CEO of a business and I saw an employee conduct this sort of irresponsible behavior, it would end in a termination. The support team member represents the software provider and so anything they say in relation to the provider will go against that provider. Its all about putting yourself in the shoes of a regular and potential customer.
The other thing is, I had deactivated my account on SMF a while ago to take a break from it. I mean I don't take the support members very seriously anyways so if I need support, I can just get it right off of AAF without having to wade through bull shit and insults. The reason I had deactivated the account was because, again, official support members were seemly trying to post things that would offend Americans. Now I am an American but I am not one of the ones who thinks we are the best and the shit, however, I will defend my honor... I would love to see every America who uses SMF to stop using it and see how their usage stats drop. It could of been any country, you don't treat your customers like shit, period.
Thoughts on my observations?
Discuss... Debate... :)