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.
Seriously after thinking about this we need at least a basic intelligence test or something for people to run group buys.
I supposed the mods are just testing the waters. :-X
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?
Ill wait for word from the Bards before I pass comment, as they are the only true members of staff here.
Ill wait for word from the Bards before I pass comment, as they are the only true members of staff here.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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
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.
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? "