Conference 7.286::digital

    Where did you hear this? It's frustrating when people make
    'announcements' with out giving any idea of the source of the
    'information'.
    
    				Alfred

[Reposted without permission. Lee.]

             <<< KACIE::$DISK2:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DECWORLD_89.NOTE;2 >>>
                          -< Welcome to DECworld'89 >-
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Note 27.12              DECworld '89 Registration System                12 of 12
TIXEL::ARNOLD "So many eggs, only 1 basket"          15 lines   1-NOV-1988 20:50
                  -< It's a ways off yet, but it's beginning >-
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    As I'm sure you've all heard or assumed by now, it appears that
    there will not be a DECworld 89.  I don't think that's necessarily
    a reason to shut down this notesfile (perhaps rename it?) because
    I still believe that valuable input can be gathered here.
    
    As far as registration & other 'internal' systems, I understand
    that an evaluation process has either begun or is about to begin.
    Criterion are many; high on the list are documentation and system
    functionality.  Low on the list is "use what we sell".  One ray
    of hope is that I understand from a reliable source that one high
    mandate is that the system will NOT be written from scratch again,
    even if that means going to a 3rd party software house for it.
    
    fwiw
    Jon

   re: .1
    
>    Where did you hear this? It's frustrating when people make
>    'announcements' with out giving any idea of the source of the
>    'information'.

    Ok, I stand chastened.  All I care to say is that I heard it from
    someone in a marketing organization.  I have not seen a public
    announcement that it is indeed the case.  But I absolutely no reason
    to believe that the information is incorrect either.
    
    I'm curious what impact such a decision will have on our marketing
    impacts and public perception of the company.  We've used these
    events in the past as a very impressive showcase of our broad solutions
    capability.  While I can't speak for DW88, DW87 was impressive to
    the customers we managed to get to Boston.  One of the common themes
    I heard was "gee, I had no idea DIGITAL could do that!".  Another
    was "I didn't know you guys were in that industry".  In other words,
    it was an education for the customers that attended.
    
    Without such an event, I wonder what other methods we will use to
    spread the word.  Perhaps the $$ will be used to promote through
    other channels such as advertising, a vertical marketing events.
    
    Another consideration, was DECville, DECtown, and DECworld (and
    DECWORLD) around long enough to become a part of our corporate culture?
    

I have heard, through sources I trust, the following:

1.  There will be no DECworld '89.

2.  There will *not* be a formal announcement of this.  The reasoning given
    was that, since there was no formal announcement of DECworld '89,
    there's no reason to formally announce its "demise". 

3.  Those who need to know, have been so advised.

I, for one, am relieved.  The event was getting bigger every year.  The 
pressure was on to always "top" ourselves.  Many people have questioned 
whether all that money could have been better spent.

My question:  Do we ever intend to do another DECworld?

Ray

>since there was no formal announcement of DECworld '89,
>there's no reason to formally announce its "demise". 

I don't know if this counts as a formal announcement, but DECUS leadership
knew the exact dates of DECworld 89; it was a significant issue since it
coincided with Fall U.S. DECUS and was seen as a threat, i.e. could DEC put
enough resources into both things at the same time.

The fact that it is not happening will certainly become known to DECUS within
two weeks or so, unless the Corporate Exhibits folks have been told to continue
to pretend that it *is* happening in status meetings with DECUS.

I'd be willing to bet that an announcement is posted on the DECUS leadership
system quite soon, and probably on the DECUS membership system (DECUServe), as
well.

/john

    As I've heard the story:
    
    * although the dates of DW89 were 'known', it was never formally
    announced as something we're going to do; therefore, a formal
    'de-announcement' is not necessary.  The demise of the event was
    made known to those who were officially told (at one time) that
    dates for the event.
    
    * the reason that there will be no DW89 is not so much an issue
    of the cost of doing it (since historically we have gotten a very
    large return on those investments) as it is man [DEL-WORD] person-
    power.  Many of the same people are involved in these large events
    (ie, DECworld/ville, DECUS, OAC, etc), and "key person burnout"
    was a major factor in the decision.  There are certain areas that
    Digital has gotten into (by choice) where there are only a handful
    of people within Digital who understand the concept/market/needs/etc.
    Yes, there are probably field people who could fill in those particular
    areas, but again, historically, it has been a MAJOR battle to get
    field people out of a direct revenue-producing role to help out,
    especially since the "bottom line" has gotten increased focus from
    area/district mgmt in the field over the past few years, whether
    or not that has also gotten increased focus from the corporate folks
    who measure those people.
    
    Potential rat-hole alert on that last statement -- there are other
    topics in this conference that address that issue, it's probably
    not productive to continue it in this note if anyone feels a need
    to discuss it further.
    
    fwiw
    Jon

        Would it make more sense to continue discussion of the demise of
        DECworld '89 in the KACIE::DECWORLD_89 conference? 
        
        Tom

Certain seems a poorer use of space than figuring out who gets Holiday 
Turkeys  (big  :-} )

    My reliable source (involved with planning these suckers) says
    that DECworld '89 has been moved out to 1990 - same place (Boston).
    I know nothing more.
    
    				Steve