Flattening

Last time I talked about the flattening of the company organization. The response from all of you was very heartening. Several came forward to assist on graphics (though the details of just how to do that remain to be determined). Mark Ruggerio volunteered to be the coordinator for West Coast conventions-which will be a great help in getting games in front of the folks out on the coast. If you are in a position to help Mark in that effort, or are positioned elsewhere in the country and might be able to assist in your region, let him or me know as is appropriate.

On the East coast, Allan Murphy has volunteered to help with our effort to support the WBC convention in Baltimore. He needs your help in getting events established, so be sure to be in contact with him (our effort to support that con depends entirely on Allan and his volunteers-so far he has had only a few takers to help out, many more are needed). Contact Allan at Alan.Murphy@westin.com.

Little Cons

As many of you know, I made a concerted effort to attend smaller conventions this year. I was able to attend: HomerCon Europe, Michicon, Origins, DonCon, and TennCon. All were productive at one level or another. I'll attend what cons I can next year, but I'll need to take great care not to overstress my time resources (which is why the company needs to establish aconvention support network).

Market Survey

For a long time (though it hasn't come up in ages), I've disdained the kind of never-ending feedback loops that were practiced by some companies (most notably SPI in the "good-ole-days"). My concern there was the such constant polling would cause the me to lose my own identity in the effort to always please the majority.

That said, here at the end of 12 years in business, I want to do a quick feedback to gauge how we are doing in a number of areas. Please take the time to express your comments so I can serve you better. I figure our best customers will be the ones most likely to provide comment (I feel constant feedback encourages a loud minority).

I'll report on the findings in OPS 40.

1) List three things you like the most about The Gamers.

2) List three things you like the least about The Gamers.

3) Do you have an e-mail address and web access? Yes No

4) Do you subscribe to The Gamers Discussion List (even if you are not an active participant)? Yes No

5) If you are subscriber to the list, what do you like most or least about it? Feel free to list multiple items.

6) If you do not subscribe to the list, what would make you interested in subscribing?

7) If you do not subscribe to OPERATIONS, what could we add or change about the magazine that would make you interested in subscribing?

8) Where did you see this list of questions? Circle a] I that apply:

OPS Gamers-L Consimworld Dean-o-gram Other (please list)

9) Are there any other comments you'd like Dean to hear?

Send your comments to:

e-mail (subject line: Gamers Feedback) to Dean@tgamers.com

or to the following mail address: Gamers Feedback 500 W. 4th Street Homer, IL 61849