Rodney O. Lain - 1999.04.01
This article was originally published on The
iMac.com, a site which no longer exists. It is copyright 1999 by
RAC Enterprises, which also seems to no longer exist. It is thus
reprinted here without permission (which we would gladly obtain if
possible.) Links have been retained when possible, but many go to
the Internet Wayback
Machine.
"A true education is the personal exploration of a
subject, not the dull recitation of facts."
- John Byrne, Mac user, as well as a legendary comics'
creator/writer/artist (X-Men, Next Men, Alpha Flight, Fantastic
Four, ad infinitum)
Several years ago, so I'm told, there was a story-time radio
show starring one Baron Munchausen. Old-man Munchausen would always
spin the most outlandish yarn during his broadcast, which would
always prompt someone to scoff the veracity of his claims; in other
words, the good Baron would be labeled a bold-faced liar, to which
he would always reply, "Vas you Dere?"
That is what I often want to ask my fellow writers who are
chronicling the latest thread of events in the CompUSA/Apple soap
opera.
Now, I hasten to preface this column with the statement that I
am not questioning the truthfulness of those claiming to know
inside info on things Macintosh. What I do question, however, are
the ramifications of publishing so much, um, truth.
Case in point: for the last few weeks or so, there has been a
hue and cry about the state of the Apple Store Within a Store at
CompUSA, culminating in David Pogue's column in last month's
Macworld. I cannot deny that what he wrote is true. But I can't
help but ask, in terms of what is really happening across the whole
retail chain, vas he dere? Vas he everywhere?
The Grass Is Browner on the Other Side, but It's Getting
Greener...
I read with interest a message on the Internet a while back that
ripped the local CompUSA where I work, saying the Apple section was
pathetic. In many ways, I agree. This calls attention to the Mac
community that something's rotten in Denmark, as well as lets the
CompUSA powers-that-be know that we care. In response to such
complaints, I have some great news: where that store once had zero
Mac sales people, it now has two very enthusiastic supporters of
the Mac platform. We spend 90% of our time in the Mac section, and
there is usually someone there, always working the SWIAS during the
peak shopping hours (evenings and weekends). We keep the Macs up
and running. Even on our off days, we stop by to add more stuff to
them (we now have Virtual PC running, as well as Tomb Raider,
PageMaker and Photoshop). All computers have Macworld QuickTime
excerpts, Apple commercials (even "1984), music videos and loads of
software installed on them.
I've personally moved Mac software from the PC aisles, as well
as hybrid CD-ROM titles. Another Mac user (a Mac administrator for
a local school) came by twice, seeking part-time work, and both
times, I gave him tips on how to approach the management.
Now, where is our CompUSA critic with a follow-up article
reporting this turn of events? Hello?
In the past, it would have been easy for me to join the chorus
of criticism currently being leveled against the "evil,"
"Mac-unfriendly" chain stores like CompUSA and Best Buy. But I must
say, let's write more success stories, too. It's pretty damn
depressing to infer that the majority of Apple retailers are not
doing their jobs. Besides, if this is true, just how did the iMac
become the best-selling computer of 1998? In the midst of the
gloom, there is some good news, you know.
Let me give you an example of how you can, with a certain amount
of effort on your part, generate more of that
dark-cloud-silver-lining good news.
You Attract Flies with Honey, Not Vinegar
Sunday night, I attended my first staff meeting at CompUSA. The
sales staff got together to discuss sales goals for the next
quarter. At the end of the meeting, I made an announcement; here is
the gist of what I said:
"What would you guys think if I were to stand
before you tonight and encourage you to sell more Packard Bell
computers. Or, what would you say if I were to stand before you and
ask you to sell more Cyrix-equipped computers? (At the mention of
Cyrix and Packard Bell, one person snorted his disapproval, while
another cracked a joke about "Packard Hell.") Oh, Packard Bell
isn't that great, hunh? Well, I guess I wouldn't be going too far
out on a limb if I said that Macintosh computers are a little bit
better than Packard Bell, right?)
"Well, that is what I want to talk to you about in
the next two minutes. Next Sunday night, after work, I will be
doing a presentation on the Mac OS, the Mac platform and the iMac
for any and all that are interested.
"Hey, I need help, fellas! I can't sell those
things fast enough! And there's money in it for you, too. [I look
towards a coworker seated next to me, since I knew he'd looked at
the sales figures with me] How much in sales did I make today?"
He recites the figure, and I tell everyone that I
was the second-highest sales person for the day. "And all I sold
were Macs. Hey, guys, I want you to get in on some of that money.
Now, I know you think that I bleed six colors when I'm cut, but I
sell PeeCees, too. Actually, I've had customers who've come in
times when I've convinced them to get a PC - and vice versa. I ask
you to do the same. It doesn't matter which computer you sell, as
long as you sell a computer.
[á la 'Jerry Maguire'] "It ain't about
show-FRIENDS, it's about show-BUSINESS."
"Oh, yeah. And there will be free pizza..."
Several said they would be there, not that it had anything to do
with the free food :)
Stay tuned next week to see how it turns out.
The above is what I think of when I think of the state of Macs
in the retail stores. I think of savvy Mac users making a
difference, not by intimidation, but by tactfully encouraging the
Mac as a mainstream computer, on par with the ubiquitous PeeCee. I
hope more people out there are doing more than just complaining
about what's happening. Now, I know everyone doesn't have the
luxury of giving up time to work at stores selling Macs. But at
least encourage others to do so.
Often, painting a negative picture doesn't help an already
frustrating situation. I should know: I "vas dere." Vas you?
- Rodney O. Lain
Rodney O. Lain, a former university English and
journalism instructor, works full-time as a software developer and
works part-time at a local CompUSA Apple Store Within A Store. A
card-carrying member of the local Macintosh User Group Mini'app'les, Rodney writes this
column exclusively for theimac.com. His greatest desire is to
become an African-American Guy Kawasaki. A self-professed
"workaholic writer," he waxes prolifically about race, religion,
and the "right OS" at
"Free Your Mind & Your Behind Will Follow", his unabashedly
pro-Mac website. When he's not cranking out his column, he collects
John Byrne comic books, jogs, and attempts to complete his first
novel. He lives in Eagan, Minnesota, a southern suburb of St.
Paul.
