Hi Jerry, I could agree with you if PDI were not rfering the same oportunity to ACB. But they are, and ACB has as much right to avail themselves of it as NFF did. There's nothing exclusive about it. Am I thrilled with it? No. But I do recognize the reasons behind it and think it will only be divisive if we, the BN customers, allow shall to be.
>----- Original Message ----- >From: "Jerry Weinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "Braillenote List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 22:37:09 -0500 >Subject: Re: [Braillenote] NFB Members to Receive Discount On PulseDataProducts >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 >___ >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
