RE: iSeries Nation and this list -- CONSULT400

<found this in my Drafts folder...  Sheesh...  Sorry, for the delay...>


My .02 inline.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: consult400-admin@midrange.com
> [mailto:consult400-admin@midrange.com]On Behalf Of
> jkrueger@andrewscg.com
> Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 11:14 AM
> To: consult400@midrange.com
> Cc: alucas@us.ibm.com
> Subject: [Consult400] iSeries Nation and this list
>
>
> I've had several chats recently with Anne Lucas, who took over the iSeries
> Nation when Malcom Haines left.  One of things we've discussed is
> whether there
> would be any benefit to creating subgroups for the citizens to belong to.

Absolutely...!  It appears to be the way to go, IMNSHO.
>
> Specifically, are there special things iSeries consultants are
> looking for from
> the iSeries Nation?

Yup, more businesses using the iSeries...  Expanding the customer base
solves a lot of problems the small iSeries consultant has.


Are there things we can learn from each
> other that we don't
> learn interacting with the community as a whole?

Again, absolutely...!

>
> Are there any special services or deals IBM could/should offer
> consultants who
> are members of the iSeries Nation?

I can't agree more with the suggestions of Booth and Dan.  Provide a means
for iConsultants to educate themselves.

If you really want to build a broad base of iConsultants, you could provide
two more things:

2) Leads to customers (and I refer back to the point of expanding the
install base).  I saw the iSeries Services Network
(http://www-912.ibm.com/supporthome.nsf/document/19251245).  Based on a
quick scan, it seems intended to appeal to the large consulting firm and
large customers.
3) Infrastructure.  Give the consultants the infrastructure to educate
themselves, and develop a network for lead co-ordination.  One or two
high-end 270's with high-speed Net access should about do the job.
3) Software.  Sametime 2.5 (do any day now...!)
1) Cheap health insurance.  This may be too "out there"...  But, although it
might be an administrative nightmare, it would remove one of the primary
obstacles that keeps talented people from trying to going out on their own.

>
> Are there any special services or deals we, as consultants, could
> offer to other
> citizens?  And if so, how could IBM support making those available?
>
> Lots of questions!
>
> Janet Krueger
> Andrews Consulting Group
> 507 529 8777 ext 110
>
> P.S. Anne has assured me she does have *some* funding, so if we
> come up with
> good ideas that would benefit the iSeries Nation, there is a
> possibility she
> could help get them implemented...
>
>
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