Ask an Ambassador - With Change Comes Attitude Adjustments
Why have there been so many changes over the years with the ownership, staff, formats, points and structure on ActiveRain? Everything happens for a reason and since I have been around these parts I have seen huge changes. Many have been good changes.
When I first started about 5 years ago points were so hard to get. You made a comment and got a few points added to your account. Along the way staff realized more interaction was needed and they encouraged involvement by upping the points for comments and the number of comments that would warrant points.
Entering contests 5 years ago awarded you about 500 points or less. Now they have big rewards and there are several to choose from each month. Staff realized that members like points and so have restructured the points system along the way to feed the thirst for points. The Q&A section was added and many members loved it. This has turned into a favorite feature for some of the members. Again the staff has responded to the wishes of the members by accelerating the path to free membership for those that sign up.
Ownership has changed many times over the years. Sometimes it was welcomed and other times it incited the membership and some members fell away. But last year, Ben Kinney (an ActiveRain Member and Real Estate Powerhouse) stepped up and bought ActiveRain from Zillow Group and our membership rejoiced. Ben believed that it needed to be back in the hands of people in the real estate trenches and he wanted to make it the best that it could be for the members.
Bob Stewart was brought back and shares the vision along with Ben Kinney. Plans for a redesign of the site and making ActiveRain a resource and training source for those in the real estate business are now becoming reality. ActiveRain University branched off a few months ago to start its growth and dominance on the web. Now the first of the changes for the site redesign has been launched and more changes are planned. These new changes have gone into effect almost seamlessly.
When change comes so do some bumps in the road, call them growing pains if you will. Embrace the changes and don't be afraid to give your feedback. The owner and staff want to hear what you like and what needs future improvements. If there is a technical glitch, let Bob Stewart know. If you have a new idea by all means share it. They want to make ActiveRain the best it can become. This is your network.
Be open-minded and embrace the change. Change is not happening for the sake of change. It has been carefully thought out, planned and invested in. There is more to come. If you are having a hard time with accepting change, try an attitude adjustment or at least give it a try before you complain.
Think positively. There has been a history of lots of complaining about glitches, changes and formats in the past. We are entering new territory with a well designed platform that will send our posts into the great blogsphere and the World of Google. I expect tremendous things to come and it is just starting. Will you embrace the changes coming?
Ask an Ambassador - Why All the ActiveRain Changes?
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