Introduce Yourself -- and what happens when you dont
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:43 pm
First of all I would like to point out that I write this from a Neutral Corner so to speak. No one is being criticised or feel the need to be offended. An open forum as "General Discussion" would suggest.
I have observed that the new recruit who skips the Introduction Section and posts a question first will be subjected to mainly a polite, but occasionally a blunt request to explain more about who they are and where they are from before they will receive help. The need to introduce yourself from my perspective is the correct thing to do, not only is this the best in RC Tank forum in layout, subject and creator's content but the skill level and willingness to help others makes RC Tankwarefare forum a benchmark within the Model World. However not introducing yourself does seem to happen on a regular occasion, which may suggest that the PM sent to new members may not provide enough of a stimulus for them to discuss those very details the forum feels are important.
Speaking as a current modern day Manager of my work colleague's, New recruit's to this forum, as with new employee's to Industry in this day and age, sadly may not possess the etiquette and social skills taught to us by our parents and teachers. The days of knocking before entering and polished shoes to an interview have long gone. This I-Phone world can manufacture anonymity and may promote the lack of the need to integrate into the broader tribe. Some people simply do not know how best to introduce themselves. We as Employer's accepted the need to change too reflect this and adopted a different approach to proccessing prospective new employees. However our standards within our industy never changed once in our employment.
So that explained, we seem to have an on-going problem with the lack of introductions happening regularly which IMHO may reflect the need to adapt our current approach and bring about a solution to reducing the problem, perhaps identifying why it happens and applying effective solutions.
My short term suggestion would for the STAFF TEAM of RC Tankwarfare be the only ones allowed to re-direct new members for having skipped Introduce Yourself. All forums that I belong too have Introduction Sections, this is the only forum I know where forum members are the ones who are allowed to challenge new recruits for not introducing themselves. We may retain more new applicants to the forum if our primary responce comes from the Staff Only for New Recruits short comings. Although i fear this may be diluted over time when some members may reply with help to the question or revert back to calling out new recruits for skipping.
Perhaps a long term solution is to have their application when applying for membership to form the basis of an "automatic Introduction". I do not know if this is possible but it would have all the basic details to satisfy the forum needs and allow us to open a dialogue and yet respect an individuals need to privicy.
I am on several Car/Sailing/Kayaking/Mountain Bike forums and several i seem to remember asked basic details on a tick box/ fill box format ( *with some mandatory) which then were posted direct to the "New Member/Introduction Sections". The format had no provision to ask an open question or expect a reply from it. We would be removing the abilty to skip Introduce Yourself. It would list your Home Nation, Region , current RC Models you own, A wish list , even the subject item you require help on ( Tick box only) ie Electronics, Paint and Weathering, Torro Tanks, 3D Printing ect.. We can then say Hello, discuss and point in the general direction for assistance.
Would this offer a solution ? I am sure that with such an introduction it may eliminate the problem ?.
Regards Gordon
I have observed that the new recruit who skips the Introduction Section and posts a question first will be subjected to mainly a polite, but occasionally a blunt request to explain more about who they are and where they are from before they will receive help. The need to introduce yourself from my perspective is the correct thing to do, not only is this the best in RC Tank forum in layout, subject and creator's content but the skill level and willingness to help others makes RC Tankwarefare forum a benchmark within the Model World. However not introducing yourself does seem to happen on a regular occasion, which may suggest that the PM sent to new members may not provide enough of a stimulus for them to discuss those very details the forum feels are important.
Speaking as a current modern day Manager of my work colleague's, New recruit's to this forum, as with new employee's to Industry in this day and age, sadly may not possess the etiquette and social skills taught to us by our parents and teachers. The days of knocking before entering and polished shoes to an interview have long gone. This I-Phone world can manufacture anonymity and may promote the lack of the need to integrate into the broader tribe. Some people simply do not know how best to introduce themselves. We as Employer's accepted the need to change too reflect this and adopted a different approach to proccessing prospective new employees. However our standards within our industy never changed once in our employment.
So that explained, we seem to have an on-going problem with the lack of introductions happening regularly which IMHO may reflect the need to adapt our current approach and bring about a solution to reducing the problem, perhaps identifying why it happens and applying effective solutions.
My short term suggestion would for the STAFF TEAM of RC Tankwarfare be the only ones allowed to re-direct new members for having skipped Introduce Yourself. All forums that I belong too have Introduction Sections, this is the only forum I know where forum members are the ones who are allowed to challenge new recruits for not introducing themselves. We may retain more new applicants to the forum if our primary responce comes from the Staff Only for New Recruits short comings. Although i fear this may be diluted over time when some members may reply with help to the question or revert back to calling out new recruits for skipping.
Perhaps a long term solution is to have their application when applying for membership to form the basis of an "automatic Introduction". I do not know if this is possible but it would have all the basic details to satisfy the forum needs and allow us to open a dialogue and yet respect an individuals need to privicy.
I am on several Car/Sailing/Kayaking/Mountain Bike forums and several i seem to remember asked basic details on a tick box/ fill box format ( *with some mandatory) which then were posted direct to the "New Member/Introduction Sections". The format had no provision to ask an open question or expect a reply from it. We would be removing the abilty to skip Introduce Yourself. It would list your Home Nation, Region , current RC Models you own, A wish list , even the subject item you require help on ( Tick box only) ie Electronics, Paint and Weathering, Torro Tanks, 3D Printing ect.. We can then say Hello, discuss and point in the general direction for assistance.
Would this offer a solution ? I am sure that with such an introduction it may eliminate the problem ?.
Regards Gordon