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iStockPhoto.com / iStockphoto management constipated?
« on: October 27, 2010, 09:43 »
Constipated, meaning: Couldn't give a sh*t.
But seriously, there seems to have been a change of attitude in the forums.
Threads or posts which are abrasive or against standard policy have always stood a high chance of getting locked or deleted, so fair enough that those are being ruthlessly dealt with now. But threads which are completely civil, and asking perfectly fair questions which often have nothing to do with the royalty changes, are now being ignored for months or just locked for no clear reason. Just - if you're lucky - a 'contact support' brush off.
I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".
It does seem strange that in a world where strong and honest communication - clarity and transparency - are well acknowledged as important in modern business, iStockphoto has gone from a position of strength in these areas to one of embarrassing weakness.
It's just difficult to tell whether this is a result of a policy decision, or of employee resignations and a total lack of interest.
But seriously, there seems to have been a change of attitude in the forums.
Threads or posts which are abrasive or against standard policy have always stood a high chance of getting locked or deleted, so fair enough that those are being ruthlessly dealt with now. But threads which are completely civil, and asking perfectly fair questions which often have nothing to do with the royalty changes, are now being ignored for months or just locked for no clear reason. Just - if you're lucky - a 'contact support' brush off.
I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".
It does seem strange that in a world where strong and honest communication - clarity and transparency - are well acknowledged as important in modern business, iStockphoto has gone from a position of strength in these areas to one of embarrassing weakness.
It's just difficult to tell whether this is a result of a policy decision, or of employee resignations and a total lack of interest.
