What will the Customer Advisory Board be? Have you applied?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

. . .
“Nothing is so disappointing as unappreciated sarcasm.”
. . .

Your sarcasm is appreciated in some corners of the world!

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

"So, no, being professionally critical is not an oxymoron." (IMO)
__________________
-Rich-

Rich,
You will have to make sure you introduce us to those folks at JC who are receptive of being professionally criticized.

I've got to go now...I haven't had my Kool-aid yet this morning.

Bob

🇺🇸

Hey, I never said I was playing.......just been there done that with a company who has worked, and still is working out of a very familiar similar situation. It's a loooooong process and is as much about corporate culture changes as it is about the current product.

Being critical, as in whining and pounding your fist on the table over all the problems (real or perceived) with "my" unit...and my friend's unit....or all "the folks on the forum say".... won't fix anything and will humanly and naturally be greeted with defensiveness and self-denial.

Being critical, as in critically analyzing and expressing root causes of the issues brought up by customers' experiences with the products and brand is what I believe they are ultimately after. Those root causes are diverse and many.....streaming all the way throughout the culture of an organization, both in attitudes and processes.

I am absolutely certain, that particularly the first year's group will have a tough go of it. That's where both management and the "council" will just begin to get their legs, get over preconceived notions, learn to lose ownership of their protected beliefs and ego driven (yes, we ALL have an ego) correctness of their behaviors (as it relates to the interactions of their ideas and interpersonal professional relationships). Sounds like a lot of flufenutter, those things are at the very core of product quality and brand image. If the culture of excellence is there, all the rest follows, and it becomes apparent to the marketplace.

It is a long road.

[turk123]

Whoever gets chosen should probably set up a thread here to accept complains, bitcxxs, criticism, moans & groans, issues, problems, disasters, and one small category for praise.

Seriously, we should have a communication connection to our fellow Airstreamers on the board. It would be a good outlet for discussion and probably get shut down a week later by administrators! Maybe it could be done through private messages also.

Just an optimistic thought.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

. . .
It is a long road.

Well said, Rich, in your entire post.

Peter

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Hey, I never said I was playing.......just been there done that with a company who has worked, and still is working out of a very familiar similar situation. It's a loooooong process and is as much about corporate culture changes as it is about the current product.

Being critical, as in whining and pounding your fist on the table over all the problems (real or perceived) with "my" unit...and my friend's unit....or all "the folks on the forum say".... won't fix anything and will humanly and naturally be greeted with defensiveness and self-denial.

Being critical, as in critically analyzing and expressing root causes of the issues brought up by customers' experiences with the products and brand is what I believe they are ultimately after. Those root causes are diverse and many.....streaming all the way throughout the culture of an organization, both in attitudes and processes.

I am absolutely certain, that particularly the first year's group will have a tough go of it. That's where both management and the "council" will just begin to get their legs, get over preconceived notions, learn to lose ownership of their protected beliefs and ego driven (yes, we ALL have an ego) correctness of their behaviors (as it relates to the interactions of their ideas and interpersonal professional relationships). Sounds like a lot of flufenutter, those things are at the very core of product quality and brand image. If the culture of excellence is there, all the rest follows, and it becomes apparent to the marketplace.

It is a long road.

....and some are further along than others.

I agree 100%...realizing that customer input is important, I fail to see how that input will fix the QC problems.
They expect their customers to know the best ways to fix what they believe are manufacturing concerns?

The most effective way to fix their 'problem' is PRIDE in what you do, you don't leave candy wrappers and a BIC lighter under the rug.

It starts at the TOP, not with the customer.
If they don't know that they shouldn't be building anything.

Bob
🇺🇸

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

....and some are further along than others.

I agree 100%...realizing that customer input is important, I fail to see how that input will fix the QC problems.
They expect their customers to know the best ways to fix what they believe are manufacturing concerns?

The most effective way to fix their 'problem' is PRIDE in what you do, you don't leave candy wrappers and a BIC lighter under the rug.

It starts at the TOP, not with the customer.
If they don't know that they shouldn't be building anything.

Bob
����

You are correct. And pride (in the context of ownership and empowerment) is certainly part of that culture building. It does start and end at the top, for sure.

But understanding the customer's wants needs and expectations is indeed paramount. Wally knew it.....he traveled with them, ate with them, rallied with them.....etc.

[smithcreek]

From the other thread this was a requirement to apply:

- All Board members must have a three-year-old or newer Airstream at the time the application is selected."

That would rule out quite a few people with fairly new trailers and some good input, including several people on this thread who applied. Is this still a requirement? I understand they want feedback on the trailers they are producing "now", but still seems low considering how similar the trailers have been for a number of years.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

From the other thread this was a requirement to apply:

- All Board members must have a three-year-old or newer Airstream at the time the application is selected."

That would rule out quite a few people with fairly new trailers and some good input, including several people on this thread who applied. Is this still a requirement? I understand they want feedback on the trailers they are producing "now", but still seems low considering how similar the trailers have been for a number of years.

I don't see that requirement in their "fine print" nor on the application pages?? The do ask how long you have been a streamer.

[OTRA15]

Here is the other thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...rd-192917.html

Here is the link to apply:

https://www.airstream.com/blog/riveters-wanted/

At the bottom in the Fine Print -- in a very small font! -- I don't see any requirement that a board member actually own an Airstream, let alone have an Airstream that is a specific age. Given the "present tense" references to "your Airstream" it may be implicit that a board member actually own an Airstream. [See edit below]

This press release says "current owners" will make up the board:

https://media.airstream.com/press-re...-iconic-brand/

Edit -- and this from the AS page linked above: "Now, we’re calling on Airstreamers -- full-timers, part-timers, and weekend warriors -- to join the Customer Advisory Board (CAB) and continue to shape the future of Airstream."

Peter

[turk123]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I don't see that requirement in their "fine print" nor on the application pages?? The do ask how long you have been a streamer.

It was originally in the fine print. Airstream must have taken it out later.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

From the other thread this was a requirement to apply:

- All Board members must have a three-year-old or newer Airstream at the time the application is selected."
. . .

Would you please provide a link to that thread, and the post number?

Thanks,

Peter

[turk123]

I believe it was the first post starting the thread. I think he copied it from the Airstream webpage.

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Would you please provide a link to that thread, and the post number?

Thanks,

Peter

You just linked to it in your previous post. They must have removed that requirement.

[GMFL]

It was removed, but I was told it would be a consideration when choosing members.

[turk123]

Originally Posted by GMFL

It was removed, but I was told it would be a consideration when choosing members.

That kind of sucks. Those who have chosen to keep their Airstreams longer get penalized because they love the trailer they bought? I guess they are more interested in current developments. That could make some sense, but let's hope that owning a trailer for 5 years should not eliminate you from the running. Most of our valued and experienced Airstreamers have owned their trailer or trailers a long time. They are the ones who have dealt with Airstream a long long time and have the knowledge Airstream could tap into.

How many AS administrators have actually spent any time in one of their trailers. You might be surprised by this answer.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by turk123

I believe it was the first post starting the thread. I think he copied it from the Airstream webpage.

Here is the first post in that thread -- click on orange arrow in quote to go there: [emphasis added]

Originally Posted by hoagy_007

All,

Several months ago when many of us were expressing our dissatisfaction with the quality of Airstream products some of us reached out to senior management looking for a solution. At the time Justin Humphrey's COO Airstream, Inc. personally responded to me that Airstream took our concerns seriously and was looking into a solution.

Well today I received another email from Justin outlining the Customer Advisory Board and a link to apply for consideration. I've spent a lot of time (not so much lately) on this board and have seen so many talented, insightful and passionate people/owners of Airstreams who would be great contributors as board members. Here is an overview of the program.

Program Details:

- Applicants to the Board, if selected, will be expected to participate in all Board sessions, except in the case of a personal emergency or professional obligation.

- Board meetings will take place quarterly: three virtual conferences and one in-person workshop at Airstream’s Jackson Center, OH corporate office and manufacturing facility.

- Airstream executives and associates will facilitate discussions and focus groups at Board meetings, compile key recommendations, and provide updates to members at ensuing meetings.

- Members will be asked to complete an individual survey following CAB sessions.

- Board members are appointed to a one-year term on the CAB.

- The 2019-2020 term begins on April 15, 2019, and ends March 31, 2020.

- Virtual meetings will take place in April and June of 2019 and in February 2020.
- The in-person meeting will be timed with the opening of Airstream’s new manufacturing facility in late 2019 or early 2020.

- It is likely that not all applicants to the Board will be selected. If you are not selected, we encourage you to apply again the following year.

- The CAB is an all-volunteer group. Membership on the Board is unpaid.
- However, members will receive reimbursement for any required travel, including the annual in-person Board meeting.

- All Board members must have a three-year-old or newer Airstream at the time the application is selected.

- Each member will be asked to sign an NDA regarding any new products or strategies that would be shared with the CAB.

Airstream wants to improve its design/manufacturing process, so talking about old problems does not suit them IMO.

Fair enough!

Peter

PS -- -- Remind me never to hire someone from here as an investigative reporter . . .

[akmoores]

As I have stated before, I submitted my name for the advisory board. We have all experienced frustrations with QC, poor choices in devices installed, and less than helpful documentation. AND yet, we buy the product, and feel the pride of ownership of Airstream. If management is serious about these, and other issues, everyone will benefit and the production and support costs will decrease. I do believe the AS is the finest travel trailer on the market ( I have no experience with the newer products ). I am hopeful that a good line of communication will be established.

[Froglips]

Having served on several advisory boards for high tech companies, I will suggest that the key to adding value is to make suggestions, not complain.

[rmkrum]

Finding a way to be constructive is the key to advisory panels. The idea is to identify issues and offer improvements, not just ‘bitch sessions’ that have little value beyond rehashing the usual complaints.

[Sparkle]

I applied. I belong to several women’s outdoor organizations including Sisters on the Fly with over 13000 members. We have the time and money to buy trailers and frequently camp alone. Airstream needs half these members to be women.