As a sales rep for a major computer company, it's rather disappointing to me that your reaction to questions about your product (the symposium) is to have a hissy fit and use bad language. All of your potential customers (symposium attendees) will have questions before, during and after the symposium.
If you feel attacked by someone asking questions, coordinating a symposium is really not for you. Keeping your eye on the goal - having suficient attendance to cover your expenses at least - means that when someone asks a question, no matter how stupid you think it is, how often you've heard the same thing, or how clear you think you've made the information; you answer the question non-defensively with a smile. Remember, your customers care about themselves, their experience, their money - their questions, even their criticisms aren't personal toward you.
Your goal is to answer your customers questions, not scream at them for asking. If they are asking, they are interested. If they are asking in a public forum, other curious customers are listening. When you think you're battling a troll and your friends agree with you, you have no idea if other potential attendees heard your bad language or tirade and will turn away from the conference.
Building bridges and keeping a cool head will atract more people to your conference than being offended that people don't hang on your every word.
I'm posting this here, since it's the most private area available and it's information that you can take or leave. Even if this message pisses you off, taking this advice will help you reach your goal.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
Professionalism
Date: 2002-10-10 02:40 pm (UTC)If you feel attacked by someone asking questions, coordinating a symposium is really not for you. Keeping your eye on the goal - having suficient attendance to cover your expenses at least - means that when someone asks a question, no matter how stupid you think it is, how often you've heard the same thing, or how clear you think you've made the information; you answer the question non-defensively with a smile. Remember, your customers care about themselves, their experience, their money - their questions, even their criticisms aren't personal toward you.
Your goal is to answer your customers questions, not scream at them for asking. If they are asking, they are interested. If they are asking in a public forum, other curious customers are listening. When you think you're battling a troll and your friends agree with you, you have no idea if other potential attendees heard your bad language or tirade and will turn away from the conference.
Building bridges and keeping a cool head will atract more people to your conference than being offended that people don't hang on your every word.
I'm posting this here, since it's the most private area available and it's information that you can take or leave. Even if this message pisses you off, taking this advice will help you reach your goal.
Good luck on the symposium