No response after 30 seconds or so...hangs up and spends a lot of time reading computer but not responding…then
Mark from BlogCritics: Were I a prospective client, I would have signed off by now...so bye.
Next try: Eric R. Stenholm, Sr. Client Partnership Manager.
Mark from BlogCritics has requested a chat.
No response.
Mark from BlogCritics: O.k., let's try this...this is Mark from GE looking for a new agency
Waited 2 minutes for response…nothing
How, then, to evaluate this new technological approach to selling a public relations agency?
As I noted with one person, I used to run a large public relations office in DC which was part of an international firm, so I had more than a casual interest in their approach. Simply put, it feels like a Beta site. No, perhaps an Alpha site. The lack of response from two senior people shows that people have not been well trained. The PR director lost all interest when I started probing. From what little I gained, it's more of a tell rather than a show site.
If someone asks a question about capabilities, any employee should be able to link to a presentation demonstrating them rather than telling about them or referring them to someone else who will tell them. And it would help if some people on the site learned manners...rudeness is not a way to sell your agency.
It's a very exciting first step, but, alas, it's just not ready for prime time. As I used to tell clients who complained that they weren't getting on the front page of The Wall Steet Journal, you can't sell from an empty wagon. Lisa P. Maxwell needs to do a lot more testing of how the site works and what it needs before promoting it.
Article comments
1 - Andrew Miller, Managing Partner, Lisa P. Maxwell
In response to Mark Schannon's review of our web site:
1)
The overarching idea behind our new web site was to create buzz, awareness and interest in Lisa P. Maxwell. This being the case, thank you for writing about us.
2)
If you're were really interested in possibly hiring us, why not click the CONTACT page and give me a call. [Personal contact info deleted]
3)
We're a creative agency with a few competencies. We're not a "PR firm" (as you labeled us in your critique).
Best regards,
Andrew Miller
2 - Ruvy
Mark,
You did a very good job on this review, in my opinion. It appears that after two or three chats, the idea was that you should get interested in something other than pumping the employees for information (which after all, is not necessarily free). So after the second or third chat, word got round that someone was trolling the site with "useless" questions. That would explain why you had trouble after the second session or so.
That would also explain comment #2, supra.
I kind of had the same questions you did, and see from the way the employees answered you, and especially the way Mr. Miller answered you, that you were wsupposed to be drawn into some kind of sales pitch before you found anything out....
"Not ready for prime time" is not quite the term, pal.
Again, nice job.
3 - Mark Schannon
Thanks Ruvy. I wasn't going to respond to Mr. Miller, but he just reinforced the concerns I raised about the site.
I still think the concept is great, but they have to tell visitors something about what they do.
We're a creative agency with a few competencies. We're not a "PR firm"
What the hell is he talking about? What do they do? If I were a prospect, why would I even try to talk with any of them if I didn't know their basic offerings?
It's not my job to call them to get the basics--it's their job to sell me/show me what they can do to entice me into wanting to learn more.
I'm sorry his response was so defensive and arrogant. But...such is life.
4 - Ruvy
Now that I think about it, this is just a new wrinkle on the ideas that were presented in the book "Winning Through Intimdation". I forget the author's name, but it is worth reading.
The author was a commercial real estate broker, but in order to avoid getting his commissions chopped by his clients, he needed to create an image of being someone who would help sellers "do something" with a property. That image was designed to stop them thinking tht he was a mere "broker" - whose commissions could be chopped off at the appropriate time.
Now translate that into,
We're a creative agency with a few competencies. We're not a "PR firm".
Yeah, sure! That guy should never have written you. He blew his cover as sure as a hurricane blows a house away.
5 - Mark Schannon
LOL, everyone's a PR person at heart...
6 - MEG
Full disclosure: I do project work with this agency, albeit with no connection to this site or the PR department - but my comments are unsolicited/unapproved.
I needed to contact someone at the agency this morning and came across your comments while searching for the site to get the contact info. I understand that you see this as still in the testing phase - since, as far as I know its not been tried before, I guess it still is in the testing stage. But, were I a prospective client with interest, I think I'd be inclined to click the contact button and contact the person indicated(the new business guy - that would be Andrew Miller) to get the company's pitch rather than expect it from anybody I happen to select. The site text does note that some employees may be too busy with current clients to be responsive to random chat. A creative agency with a PR department isn't the same as PR agency and, while I agree that a company's brand should be evident throughout their communications it seems kind of nit-picky to criticize an attempt at clarification. Its not your father's Oldsmobile but I think that might be the point. Oh, and BTW, it was pretty convenient for me to be able to find the person I needed to contact there.
7 - Mark Schannon
Meg,
Thanks for your feedback. As I wrote, I think they've got a potentially exciting & revolutionary approach, but, even as one of their people admitted, it needs work.
I never called it a PR firm...I said I tried to talk with their PR person & used to work for a PR firm. In fact, part of the problem is that I have no idea what kind of firm it is...which has to make it difficult for prospective clients.
And as for people being too busy to chat, I gave them the chance to simply say that. Ignoring me is not only rude, but runs counter to their stated goal.
I'll be interested to see how the site evolves.
8 - Frank Black
Well, what can I say. I have had experience with Andrew Miller, president of LPM, and well...he could be the biggest douche bag i have ever met. Sorry, but it's the truth. This guy LOVES to hear himself talk and thinks that everything he writes is the gold. Don't waste your time with him.
9 - Edinburgh
Well, what guilt I say. I think had contact with Andrew Miller, pioneer of LPM, further well...he could buy for the biggest douche trip i suppose severely met. Sorry, but it's the truth. This fellow LOVES to hear himself talk and thinks that everything he writes is the gold. Don't waste your time with him.