[thelist] Re: Why code for standards

[Luther, Ron]

Hi Bev,

I agree that generalizations can be a bad thing.

I used to have some 'real facts'.  ;-)  My 'generalization' comes from a
statistical analysis that I conducted using the billing records for a
fairly good-sized [Bell System] telephone company in the Midwestern
United States and a lot of work I did statistically analyzing their
"small business" market.  [Since telcos charge 'business' customers a
different rate than 'residential' customers they tend to keep pretty
good and complete records on business customers.]  I'll stand by (or
re-clarify) my claim that [by count] *most* small businesses do not have
the resources to participate directly in the formal standards setting
process.


That aside - here's another slant.  The 'big folks' who participate in
things like standards bodies also participate in many many other forums
- places where small businesses *can* get their ear and their mindshare.
Look over a member list for a local SBA, SCORE, or professional group in
any industry and I think you'll find any number of big players within
and outside that industry.   Sure, they participate to further their own
agenda, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to them to further yours.

RonL.
{At one point while I was working at the phone company, my boss was a
member of the American Hospital Association.  Why? Because he did
strategic marketing to the health care market - that membership got him
contacts, invitations to meetings and information he wouldn't have
gotten in any other way. Networking - It's more than an ISO standard.
Heck - I was an SBA member when I worked for 'ma Bell'!}


-----Original Message-----
From: Bev Corwin [mailto:bev at enso-company.com]
Subject: Re: [thelist] Re: Why code for standards

I don't think it is a good idea to generalize without any real facts.  I
know of quite a number of smaller businesses who have the resources,  I
think this is a general error in assumptions.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Luther, Ron" <Ron.Luther at COMPAQ.com>