An outraged buyer started this thread http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=352131&page=1 and after a couple of posts Lobo confirmed that iStock/Getty has hired one of the top strategy consulting firms.  Firms like this are usually hired by senior management; they are not hired to conduct "surveys" - they will do a lot with the input gathered in the course of the survey.

Having worked for other consultancies who operate at this level of seniority in client companies, it seems to me this effort may be getting off to a troubled start.  But it does indicate that someone very senior is asking questions and hoping BCG can deliver answers, so it's a significant development.  It is very probable that BCG was hired by Getty, or, at the very least, with Getty's approval.

Regards

Slightly off topic, but I just read the thread over at istock and, well, I admit I haven't been on the iStock forums in ages but the tone of Lobo's responses sure don't sound like the snarky Lobo responses that I remember.   They read very polite and professional in that thread, it sort of scared me. 

Quote from: jamirae on March 13, 2013, 17:21

Quote from: Pinocchio on March 12, 2013, 17:50

An outraged buyer started this thread http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=352131&page=1 and after a couple of posts Lobo confirmed that iStock/Getty has hired one of the top strategy consulting firms.  Firms like this are usually hired by senior management; they are not hired to conduct "surveys" - they will do a lot with the input gathered in the course of the survey.

Having worked for other consultancies who operate at this level of seniority in client companies, it seems to me this effort may be getting off to a troubled start.  But it does indicate that someone very senior is asking questions and hoping BCG can deliver answers, so it's a significant development.  It is very probable that BCG was hired by Getty, or, at the very least, with Getty's approval.

Regards

Slightly off topic, but I just read the thread over at istock and, well, I admit I haven't been on the iStock forums in ages but the tone of Lobo's responses sure don't sound like the snarky Lobo responses that I remember.   They read very polite and professional in that thread, it sort of scared me.

That's because he's talking to 'outraged buyers' rather than those pain-in-the-arse contributors.

Exactly. I dont think they are going to piss off buyers in the forum. You see, customer is always king. Another refund, sir?

It would be interesting to see BCG's report.

Anyone ever watch the Showtime show House of Lies? (great show!)   I'm sure the report will be completely FOS. 

.

If any of our MSG friends do get the opportunity to contribute to the survey then please ensure that, amongst their dissatisfactions, they highlight the despicable management attitude to contributors, as illustrated in the the treatment of SJLocke and others.

I took the survey - no questions about that but a place at the end to air your thoughts.

That money would have been better spent spying on their competition.

I doubt this is anything but market research and something they probably do every year. They may just be taking a different approach either by not conducting it themselves, or using a different vendor. All in all I am sure it is budgeted money set aside for this purpose and nothing new. This is typical...they will collect as much data as they can to help guide their decisions and projections moving forward. The more I think about it, it may be good they use an outside agency as long as the agency isn't full of BS (not all consultants are like House of Lies as it is in their best interest for their customers to do well after). The upper tier of companies tend to value 3rd party input over internal.

Do Istock Bosses really think there are so many people paying 10x more than other sites and paying artistes 10x less so stupid to continue "working" for them?
Now The new consults will tell them to give the "slaves" a "candy" so they can continue to work for them. You will see increments of 0.01% in your revenues, new games, new tips but it will remain the same s**t.

Have a bad taste in your mouth there?

Quote from: michey on March 14, 2013, 11:55

Do Istock Bosses really think there are so many people paying 10x more than other sites and paying artistes 10x less so stupid to continue "working" for them?
Now The new consults will tell them to give the "slaves" a "candy" so they can continue to work for them. You will see increments of 0.01% in your revenues, new games, new tips but it will remain the same s**t.

Have a bad taste in your mouth there?

How do you know that? Are you stalking me?

I just answered a "exclusive contributors survey".
Basically, they want to know what would make their exclusive contributors happy, and how to attract new customers.

I ask them to show Istock and Getty financial figures.... lol

Quote from: Buzbuzzer on March 14, 2013, 13:16

I ask them to show Istock and Getty financial figures.... lol

That won't happen, I wish they would at least show a graph or something that indicates if sales are good or not. Doesn't have to be specific.

According to Rebecca, sales are "meeting expectations".

Quote from: gostwyck on March 14, 2013, 13:34

Quote from: dingles on March 14, 2013, 13:21

Quote from: Buzbuzzer on March 14, 2013, 13:16

I ask them to show Istock and Getty financial figures.... lol

That won't happen, I wish they would at least show a graph or something that indicates if sales are good or not. Doesn't have to be specific.

According to Rebecca, sales are "meeting expectations".

Which may not be the same a "meeting targets".

... or indeed producing any growth at all (other than the negative kind). It was a deliberately vague expression __ for commercial reasons you'll understand.