One new feature I would love to see integrated would be an icon that tells people whether the monitor has conducted a phone interview with the company owner or not. It could just be another icon like the Paying/Not Paying graphic, but it would really show the users who is willing to be transparent and who isn’t. Anyway, just a thought.

Im impressed with your article about your perspective on monitoring. I agree that it probably is not in the best interest of the industry for people to be posting their payout amounts IN the votes when they DO vote on the monitors. That is one of the changes that we are making at GEM this summer. We are going to undergo some major changes and look forward to stepping out of the summer with a very different perspective and role in the industry.

The one idea that you mentioned, MONITORS PROVIDING A PRODUCT, does not quite accurately reflect what it is we do, or are supposed to be doing…collectively.

Monitoring program is a service to our community, the industry of autosurfing….its members. There is a difference between a service and a product, however I can see why you, or others, might see it as such. While monitors are intended to be neutral bodies that do not cater to either admins or members of the industry, we do see that happen. There are many perspectives about WHO’S SIDE monitors should be on. If we all really wanted to be honest, monitors should not be on any side.. they should reside in a zone of neutrality…reporting whatever factual information they have to the members/admins. It really does go both ways. Some may see our role as more of that of ‘advocate’ for the ’surfer’…and a nemisis to bad surf admins. That concept and mentality, in itself, is self-defeating and counter productive to both communities (admins and surfers).

It bothers me to see some monitors take on admin functions for surf admins….it bothers me to see monitors exercise a “perceived” power in the industry..one that can “take a site down overnight”.. That is, to me, very sad to see…and to be direct here, doesn’t say much for the monitor’s sense of value to the community and the people it’s serving. So much bribing, blackmailing, etc..happening that it really does give the MONITORING element a tarnished perspective.

Is it ok for monitors to become involved with programs on an ‘advisory’ basis? I say SURE…. our experience, our inside knowledge of the workings of the industry etc.. can provide a very grounded perspective that is needed when a ‘potential’ good program comes along. BUT, should the monitor be given special treatment as in being able to have several surf accounts with that particular surf company, should that monitor not have to observe the 50/50 rules that may apply, should that monitor get extra financial incentives from that program in any form for simply ’super promoting’ it to the masses ?? ABSOLUTELY NOT..If that is what a monitor wants to do, then it should NOT be monitoring..It should be an independent downline builder, that focuses on building its own downline community in surfing.

As for rankings on monitors…this is very difficult and due to limited function in available scripts, hard to have a ranking system that remains 100% objective. That is where we just have to do our best..that is where we have to rely on members votes for information, on our interactions with the admin of that particular surf, and on the customer service that is provided by that surf admin. It becomes very difficult when you have surf admins who refuse to speak with monitors…we get all kinds of excuses…and thats just what they are, EXCUSES for not wanting to have to be fully accountable. The fact is, monitors exist, we have a place, we do a job, and surf admins MUST recognize that and know that we are here as a checks and balances system for the industry… and also as a measure of insurance that members are treated fairly, honestly and with the dignity they deserve.

I mentioned a few videocasts ago about how appalled i was at how some surf admins spoke to their members….and how they really needed to give their heads a shake and realize that the members ARE THEIR CUSTOMERS…and that WITHOUT THE MEMBERS there would be NO SURF…. Since then, it seems that, for the most part, most admins are more respectful and not as demeaning to the members… This wasn’t a problem with all admins, just some… and I think it started to set a precedent…a certain type of consciousness, whereby admins felt they could speak however they wanted to the members…especially since it was the admin’s OWN program…. I’m glad to see that most of them now don’t see it that way.

I hope this gives you some perspective on ONE monitors ‘perspective’ of what our role SHOULD be… I welcome a response or comments that you may have.

Stephen
CEO
http://www.globalearningsmonitor.com

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