Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:01:45
Perhaps we could all come up with a general list of questions for people to ask themselves to help people decide if group buys are something they should be involved with running.
I'll start.
- Has my identity been recently stolen?
- Do I like replying to pm's?
- Do I have enough will power to handle the stress?
- Do I have enough patience to cater questions?
- Do I know some geekhacker irl in case something happens to me?
- If I have to arm wrestle esoomenona will I break my arm?
- Do I have a paypal account and know how to use it?
- Will this ruin the hobby for me?
- Am I willing to deal with the inevitable unseen health problems that will doubtless come up as soon as I've received money and paid for manufacturing?
- Can I handle demik's truth talks?
- Am I comfortable doing the boring stuff like invoicing and shipping dozens upon dozens of orders?
- Do I live in Dallas?
Some good points from JaccoW :thumb:
Perhaps a simplified project management (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management) template?
determining how to plan (e.g. by level of detail or rolling wave);
developing the scope statement; Limit yourself, keep things easy. So with high MOQ for example don't get into dozens of add-on packs
selecting the planning team; A.k.a. You, talked to experts like Bunny, Ivan, etc.
identifying deliverables and creating the work breakdown structure; What do I plan to deliver? Pics, manufacturer, etc.
identifying the activities needed to complete those deliverables and networking the activities in their logical sequence; Planning, GB, invoicing, production, sorting, shipping, problem solving.
estimating the resource requirements for the activities; Can I sort that many keysets on my own? Are nearby Geekhackers available and willing to help sort? Can I call in help or turn over to someone else if the project goes wrong?
estimating time and cost for activities; E.g. 10 mins sorting per keyset x 200 sets = 33 hours / 2 hrs per day = +/- two weeks before shipping starts
developing the schedule; A broader schedule to the one above
developing the budget; Shipping costs from your location. How about multiple sets? Insured/non-insured? Actual cost of making the set?
risk planning; Have you done this before? What are the general experiences of others regarding this manufacturer? will you still have this much time during the entire GB?
gaining formal approval to begin work; Interest > Check, Money > Check, Time > Check
Basically what I have seen during my studies is that whenever a company tries to do ANY project without laying down the exact rules by which it wants to do something, **** goes wrong.
People fight, plans change all the time and in the case of a GB; trust in the one that organizes the GB disappears.
Simple things like focusing on the annoying stuff gets pushed down the line because the fun stuff (designing your dream set) takes precedence.
Tell people that a GB takes time and that you are not responsible for $100 worth of plastic lost in the mail if they don't insure it.
Have a communication plan. Keep people informed on the progress and be ready to answer PM's within a day. Hand over responsibility if you go on vacation to someone you trust. What would happen if a GB organizer gets into an accident and dies? At the very least let mods know who they can contact if stuff like that happens. Either other GH members or members of your personal family.
OLD STUFF
More
So it seems there are now requirements to running a group buy?
Can the mods/admins elaborate for the uninformed?
Perhaps these are posted and I simply missed them. ::)
EDIT w/ UPDATE
Seriously after thinking about this we need at least a basic intelligence test or something for people to run group buys.
Post by: RabRhee on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:09:59
The second rule is .....
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:26:43
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:31:43
But it seems to be already in action -> http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60866.msg1445113#msg1445113 :-\
I'm all about rules and even brought up the idea of having rules for group buys a long time ago BUT shouldn't rules be made public before they are enforced? ???
I supposed the mods are just testing the waters. :-X
Post by: hashbaz on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:33:46
I supposed the mods are just testing the waters. :-X
(http://www.nubblies.net/forums/Photopost/data/2/I-SEE-WHAT-YOU-DID-THERE.jpg)
Post by: demik on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:50:51
you don't say!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 28 August 2014, 15:57:31
Post by: Lpwl on Thu, 28 August 2014, 16:15:26
Yeah I know - in saying that, I'm betraying my country...
b-b-but it would be nice to share something with us ! :p
Post by: Tym on Thu, 28 August 2014, 16:36:28
TIL = tapatalk notifies you when your post is quoted even if you can't access the area it is quoted inSpamHacker the next Aidan Pierce?
Post by: Oobly on Fri, 29 August 2014, 03:15:26
I also believe the moderators may well be discussing having rules for running GB's, but that may get all messed up with PMK allowing anyone you can throw a few colours at the screen to start one on their site. The PMK GB thing is a whole other kettle of fish.
<EDIT> What? The Classified thread rules now state 25 posts!? In the past hasn't it always been 60?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:11:23
Post by: baldgye on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:20:35
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:21:57
Ill wait for word from the Bards before I pass comment, as they are the only true members of staff here.
[attachimg=1]
I needed a good laugh after all the facepalming.
Post by: billnye on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:22:18
Ill wait for word from the Bards before I pass comment, as they are the only true members of staff here.
No chill
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:35:19
I'll start.
Has my identity been recently stolen?
Post by: baldgye on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:37:14
Perhaps we could all come up with a general list of questions for people to ask themselves to help people decide if group buys are something they should be involved with running.
I'll start.
Has my identity been recently stolen?
Do I like replying to pm's?
Post by: jorgenslee on Fri, 24 October 2014, 07:52:19
Perhaps we could all come up with a general list of questions for people to ask themselves to help people decide if group buys are something they should be involved with running.
I'll start.
Has my identity been recently stolen?
Do I like replying to pm's?
- Do I have enough will power to handle the stress?
- Do I have enough patience to cater questions?
- Do I know some geekhacker irl in case something happens to me?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 24 October 2014, 08:02:55
- Physical examination
- Mental health evaluation
- Stress test
- Morality/alignment test
- Intelligence quotient test
It is also preferred that they are working, but not too much. In this manner, it can be assured they have some amount of income so that they will not be tempted by running with the money, but that they're not too busy with said work to not be able to handle the duties at hand. Bank statements and tax returns for the previous 3 years must be provided.
A background check must also be performed to prove no previous legal issues. We wouldn't want any criminals taking our money.
They must also be subjected to an interview with the entire forum, so that each person can gauge their own feelings on said operator. During this time, any previous posts are subject to scrutiny, as well as their social media profiles, amount of friends, how many times they've taken their animals to the vet, etc.
Lastly, they must be able to arm wrestle me and win.
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 24 October 2014, 10:23:38
Post by: JaccoW on Fri, 24 October 2014, 10:48:09
determining how to plan (e.g. by level of detail or rolling wave);
developing the scope statement; Limit yourself, keep things easy. So with high MOQ for example don't get into dozens of add-on packs
selecting the planning team; A.k.a. You, talked to experts like Bunny, Ivan, etc.
identifying deliverables and creating the work breakdown structure; What do I plan to deliver? Pics, manufacturer, etc.
identifying the activities needed to complete those deliverables and networking the activities in their logical sequence; Planning, GB, invoicing, production, sorting, shipping, problem solving.
estimating the resource requirements for the activities; Can I sort that many keysets on my own? Are nearby Geekhackers available and willing to help sort? Can I call in help or turn over to someone else if the project goes wrong?
estimating time and cost for activities; E.g. 10 mins sorting per keyset x 200 sets = 33 hours / 2 hrs per day = +/- two weeks before shipping starts
developing the schedule; A broader schedule to the one above
developing the budget; Shipping costs from your location. How about multiple sets? Insured/non-insured? Actual cost of making the set?
risk planning; Have you done this before? What are the general experiences of others regarding this manufacturer? will you still have this much time during the entire GB?
gaining formal approval to begin work; Interest > Check, Money > Check, Time > Check
Basically what I have seen during my studies is that whenever a company tries to do ANY project without laying down the exact rules by which it wants to do something, **** goes wrong.
People fight, plans change all the time and in the case of a GB; trust in the one that organizes the GB disappears.
Simple things like focusing on the annoying stuff gets pushed down the line because the fun stuff (designing your dream set) takes precedence.
Tell people that a GB takes time and that you are not responsible for $100 worth of plastic lost in the mail if they don't insure it.
Have a communication plan. Keep people informed on the progress and be ready to answer PM's within a day. Hand over responsibility if you go on vacation to someone you trust. What would happen if a GB organizer gets into an accident and dies? At the very least let mods know who they can contact if stuff like that happens. Either other GH members or members of your personal family.
Post by: ConscienceDrop on Fri, 24 October 2014, 11:38:50
- have poor communication skills
- be quick to anger, and also interpret any criticism as a personal attack
- not be an adult
- have a very busy schedual that you previously did not make note of
- have health issues, that spring up randomly, that cause you to be unable to answers PMs
- take frequent vacations at random, to locations with no possible internet or phone access
- have been ' burnt out ' on the hobby in general recently
Think that's about it
Post by: demik on Fri, 24 October 2014, 13:00:38
am i a fuccboi?
if the answer is no, run one.
if the answer is yes, run one anyway then regret it and pass it off to two of your friends to save your sorry ass.
Post by: Novus on Fri, 24 October 2014, 14:11:22
Is my cat going to die and send me spiraling through depression?
Am I going to contract Ebola?
Post by: tjcaustin on Fri, 24 October 2014, 14:36:54
Am I planning a sudden unexpected vacation midway through?
Is my cat going to die and send me spiraling through depression?
Am I going to contract Ebola?
That last one ****s me out of running a group buy.
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 24 October 2014, 14:43:56
Am I planning a sudden unexpected vacation midway through?
Is my cat going to die and send me spiraling through depression?
Am I going to contract Ebola?
That last one ****s me out of running a group buy.
#lifeinDallasafterebola
Post by: hashbaz on Sun, 26 October 2014, 01:22:42
You must:
- have poor communication skills
- be quick to anger, and also interpret any criticism as a personal attack
- not be an adult
- have a very busy schedual that you previously did not make note of
- have health issues, that spring up randomly, that cause you to be unable to answers PMs
- take frequent vacations at random, to locations with no possible internet or phone access
- have been ' burnt out ' on the hobby in general recently
Think that's about it
This guy gets it. We should implement these guidelines immediately.
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 26 October 2014, 08:27:56
The hashbizle has spoken :eek:You must:
- have poor communication skills
- be quick to anger, and also interpret any criticism as a personal attack
- not be an adult
- have a very busy schedual that you previously did not make note of
- have health issues, that spring up randomly, that cause you to be unable to answers PMs
- take frequent vacations at random, to locations with no possible internet or phone access
- have been ' burnt out ' on the hobby in general recently
Think that's about it
This guy gets it. We should implement these guidelines immediately.
Post by: bueller on Sun, 26 October 2014, 08:32:41
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 10 February 2015, 22:05:52
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 10 February 2015, 22:52:17
I think an important question for a group buy leader to consider is,"Do they have the ability to massively over engineer and over complicate a group buy to the point that it has no end? "
And should the answer be yes or no before they start the GB?