I appreciate the ongoing discussions.
These are profound issues, and there can't be handy ready-made solutions. In spite of discussions and brain-storming, we have to understand that there can not be a perfect way; and learning by trial-and-error is imperative and un-avoidable.
Several new issues have come-up, rather, been un-earthed. Coming to Dinesh's views; I appreciate his candid opinions which are almost like a SWOT analysis. I agree with many of his observations; and I would like to add a few more to his :
Indeed, Internet has changed a lot in the last 10 years. One of the most striking aspect is the Social Media, which at one time was looked down by serious professionals and nerds, has gained ascendancy and respectability. Now it is the prime-mover on the web-space.
Another such outrageously disruptive invention was the Smart Phone and the Android. What a decade back was available, that too in a very narrow spectrum as compared to today, to only a few creamy layer of Blackberry phone users, is now available to all.
Here I agree in totality with Dinesh.
Presence on Social Media and WhatsApp has changed everything. The first point, is the Appearance, or presentation. For example, pages on FB are so user-friendly, present everything at-a-glance (for which earlier a "dashboard" functionality was required), everything opens or is visible at a click.
The second is, Ease of use. Not just the advantage of being on mobile platform, but as already said, the ease with which one can upload material in any format, makes these very handy.
The third is, more Openness, as opposed to Privacy and Anonymity. It also points to the Trust factor as well as, Friendliness. The people or participants in these new-age forums appear more accessible and real. True, there are valid reason and compulsion to remain Anonymous, at times; but what is meant is, the people on these medias appear more real and accessible.
To understand this last point, let us ask ourselves, "How many members in CiteHR, do we know personally in real life ?"
Yes, one does have hundreds of Followers, and may Follow hundreds; and may have genuine mutual appreciations with many, yet in real terms many are just entities in cyber-space. this was the norm, earlier when people chatted on Bulletin-Boards and chat-sites.
Today, one has to recognise the power of Networking, which these new alternatives are exploiting quite well. We must have a Network of real users and members, who can network with each-other off the site as well.
On this, I would like to add that several attempts were made in the past, of having get-togethers and arranging Meets in malls or public places. However, for some reason or the other, these did not turn out to be what was envisaged. In my opinion, one of the main reason was, the members were unknown among themselves, and thus could not overcome the hesitations or apprehensions that they had about others.
In an FB and WhatsApp like scenario, members would have known each other quite well and would have motivated and built on momentum for such events.
I am sorry, if at this point of time, I am not able to offer any solution or a strategy. What I am able to do is to gather my impressions on what I have experienced and observed; and the changes that have taken place since. I am proud of CiteHR, my association with CiteHR and I am confident that CiteHR will continue to remain a great resource, as it keeps evolving over time.
Just a fortnight back, someone shared on WhatsApp, a list of most important and popular HR sites. As usual CiteHR was listed in it, but what caught my attention was another website, which in the past had been spamming the pages of CiteHR in an attempt to grab eyeballs and popularity; and it has been repeatedly banned. It hardly has any content worth reading and even these are plagiarized from other websites. However, due to its presence on a social site, it has accumulated a large following. The fact that someone in social media likes a page or a site, has a lot of influence on others, as the members in social media who use their real profile, are known to others. Its a matter of Identity and Trust.
So, I whole-heartedly agree with the basic idea of promoting Consultants, as it will give "face" and Identity to those whose comments the members have read. How to go about it, is what needs to be worked upon.
On that note, I had put forth the case of Freelancers as well.
Beyond that, I would also like to promote a 'normal' HR professional, why he should not get a chance to promote himself or herself ???
These days Recruiters rely a lot on Social Media for Talent Acquisition. CiteHR is just the perfect platform for all HR Professionals.
I understand that I have covered just a limited aspect of what is being sought. I think, while thinking of "who needs CiteHR most ?" we must also appreciate and think of the needs of the "average" HR professional. A profile in CiteHR, built painstakingly over years, listing the actual contributions of that member, his influence on others and the community at large; these are all very valuable assets for HR professional.
Coming to Aussiejohn's views, I agree with them. Being my senior, he has seen more happening at CiteHR. The following are especially noteworthy :
- there are no dearth of unscrupulous element bent on exploiting the needy. I have deleted and Banned many who keep on coming with new IDs, who ask for some remittance to their bank accounts to provide solutions to every problem posted by the members.
- even if the problems posted by members is repetitive, members would not hesitate to give responses, if they know the person. As we have seen in Social Media, people do not hesitate in commenting again and again, on issues they have a clear opinion about.
I shall be back with more, as I await views and responses.
Warm regards.