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At the risk of repeating myself and at the risk of being perceived as the guy who says "Stupid, senseless things", I want to reiterate the fact that no matter how much we "Evangelize", "Chart", document and ask IBM to help and to create new Ads and marketing. No matter how much we bash Exchange and Outlook, and scream loud that Notes is better it does not matter!
It does not matter because no one is listening. And why are they not listening? Because Talk is Cheap. We all can talk but can we provide?
I have been in the Notes/Domino/Lotus field for 10 years now. I used to hate Notes!! But I leaned it and got to love it. I also noticed a few things we, as Notes people do not do right.. Here is a few things to think about (before we start screaming help at IBM and bashing Exchange...)
-How many of us use Notes/Domino for more than email?
-When was the last time we picked up on an Idea for a new application? For example, when we saw the receptionist re-typing data back into an Excel spreadsheet (after sending out an attached Word Doc to get personal information from 2000 employees...)!
-When was the last time we came out of our cube an listened to what other people's problems and challenges were?
-When was the last time we were able to give a positive direct immediate straight answer to a VP's question regarding a project he/she had? "Yes we can and here is how!"
-When was the last time we did not scream (thought or whispered) "Notes can do that!!' during a non-Lotus software presentation? The truth is that Notes Can NOT do it! It could if the application was done but 99% of the time, it is not! whereas this other application is doing it right now.. Yes, this other application cost a bundle and it is clunky like hell, but it helps filling a need and it is available NOW. Most of the time, our Notes application is not even conceptualized yet... or not installed. Oh yes, we can install a Quickr or a Sametime server in 1/2 hour, but can we make it run perfectly right off the bat? Moreover, do we know what it can do and how it can help the business?
We keep on complaining we are not asked to bid on new projects. Forget waiting to be asked! We need to move forward and prove what we can do before.
Lotus Notes/Domino Internal Sales.. That should be our title! Does it pay much? Darn right it does. It keeps us working with what we love!
How do you do it? By listening, seeking information, helping others and by putting out some kick a** applications to help save time, money and lately, the environment.
Doing that, your peers and leaders look at you (and Notes) under a new angle.
We have to try making some small strategic gains and gain confidence of the leaders in place. They will eventually come and ask for help. It may take time but if we do a proper job (which includes, functionality, ease of use and design), people will like it and we will have more to do.
Above selling Lotus Notes/Domino internally, we have to sell ourself. People deal with people. Not with things.
I know, some of you will read this post and say "But that is what I am doing all the time and it is NOT the problem! I know better! This "Jacques guy French dude" knows NOTHING..." then I am sorry I could be of no help. I have not been able to convince you that time for finger pointing is passed. I don't care who's fault it is. We just have to fix it.
All I know is that in French we say "Aide toi et le ciel t'aidera!" (Help yourself and the sky will help you)... It starts at our desks, in our team and spreads out. Check out sales courses specialized for IT people... (yes, they exist) to understand what the business is talking about. But we have to get out of our cubes.... nothing is happening there... and we have to stop blaming everyone else...
Am I talking about something nearly impossible to do? Darn right. Every minute of everyday is pointing to that. it is a relentless effort we have to make but it pays off in the end.
Hoping this helps turning on some lights...
Feedback response number WEBB7ARPF2 created by ~Kirk Pretoolitader on 01/11/2008
My 2 Cents 1/2
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. . My 2 Cents 1/2 (~Kirk Pretoolit... 11.Jan.08) 
