Dear Listers, It is said that to understand what is going on, follow the money. NFB members get a 5% discount. PDI gets, well, exactly what do they get in return? When Microsoft partners with a school district, Microsoft gets publicity, and the school district gets computers. Pretty kosher. But does Microsoft, or most other corporations, make exclusive deals with only the Republicans, or only the Democrats? Of course not. That is divisive. It is not good business.
It puzzles me as to why PDI is embarking upon such a divisive publicity campaign between PDI and NFB. Only the naive would fail to see the minefield laid out before them. And what do I get as a customer? I am concerned that the development, and evolution of the BrailleNote will slow. Might the market for the BrailleNote products fracture? would this cut sales, and most important to me, the future development of the BrailleNote? Sincerely, Jerry Weinger ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Braillenote List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 5:01 PM Subject: Re: [Braillenote] NFB Members to Receive Discount On PulseDataProducts Hi Doug and others who have inquired about this subject. Given that I'm well aware of the sensitivities and often very strong feelings between the two major blindness consumer organisations in the US, I hope my comments will allay some people's fears and concerns. I should also say that the way BrailleNote is marketed in a given country is the prerogative of the managers in that particular area, however I have been kept informed about this initiative and will answer the questions raised as best I can. Our US subsidiary, Pulse Data Humanware, was approached by the National Federation of the Blind, asking if we would be interested in participating in a joint publicity initiative in which NFB members would receive a discount. From Pulse Data Humanware's point of view, the NFB is a large organisation with well-established communication mechanisms, and as a business, we obviously welcome the chance to have people told about our products and give people a chance to purchase at a discount. The leadership of the Federation, I assume, welcome an additional benefit of membership. That is the entire extent of the arrangement. I want to assure those concerned that this is not an exclusive arrangement. Indeed, I am advised that a Pulse Data Humanware representative has already spoken to the President of the American Council of the Blind, making it clear that we would be open to a similar arrangement for ACB members. At time of writing, I don't know whether that offer has been or will be accepted. What we're dealing with here is in no way similar to the situation a few years back where one assistive technology company chose to be present at one consumer organisation but not another. We have agreed to a win win situation with one organisation, and would gladly do the same or similar with others. We have strong ties with both organisations and plan to maintain them and find innovative ways of cooperating. In other sectors of society, for example organisations that serve the elderly, it is quite common for organisations to team up with companies to offer member discounts. There is no difference here. No doubt there will be criticism from those affiliated with neither organisation. I respect this view, but would say that the position those who do not belong to a membership organisation find themselves in is no different from those who do not belong to a frequent flyer or some other loyalty points scheme that offers certain benefits. Finally, let me emphasise that all one has to do to receive the discount is to mention the NFB discount when you place your order. We certainly don't go through any stringent verification processes. Pulse Data International values everyone's custom. We want to find new ways of spreading the word about the best PDAs for the blind on the market today and to work cooperatively with any organisation to that end. Thanks for reading. All the best. Jonathan Mosen BrailleNote Product Marketing Manager Pulse Data International Ltd DDI: +64-3-373-6192 Fax: +64-3-384 4933 Mobile: +64-21 466 736 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet: www.pulsedata.com ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
