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--On Tue, Sep 22, 2015 at 4:57 PM, Justin Dearingwrote:
<zippy1981@xxxxxxxxx> >
There is absolutely, positively no chance of dislodging the "AS/400"
terminology where I work. Zero. None. It simply cannot be done. You
would have a much easier time moving the entire Sahara desert into
Siberia, one grain of sand at a time.
I can't argue with your company's position, clearly they have the old
names ingrained pretty deeply. Many grains of sand to be moved there.
But I will tell you a story about how "AS/400" cost a business dearly
and how it could be costing yours:
In discussions with a potential customer (would have been their
largest to
date) the question was asked: "So what systems do you run your
business on?" The CIO knowing full well that they ran IBM i on POWER
considered for a second if they would know what that was. He answered:
"AS/400." Nearly instantly and before he could qualify that it was
actually a successor system, the potential customer said: "Well that's
all we need to know. We won't do business with someone who won't get out of the 90s."
Yep they lost the business. Now the skeptics among you may be saying
well they were probably just looking for an excuse and you may even be right.
But the point is why not lead with the correct and current name? "We
run IBM i on Power Systems." If you get blank stares or questions you
then may inform them: "You may recall the iSeries or the system before
that the AS/400. This system came from that heritage, still able to
run those programs but now more capable and powerful than ever."
This way you lead with current and sound current but remember the past.
You only get one chance to make a first impression.
And as to changing the use, I would bet you a fine steak dinner that
if you consistently say IBM i and Power Systems unabashed and like you
mean it for just six months in conversation, in emails, in
documentation etc that you WILL see that sand begin to move. Don't
CORRECT People, don't push it just use the names correctly. Over time
the wind will pick up and help you and others will follow. There will
probably be hold outs no doubt but you'll see progress until only the
hold outs will be left looking, well, old.
- Larry "DrFranken" Bolhuis
www.Frankeni.com
www.iDevCloud.com - Personal Development IBM i timeshare service.
www.iInTheCloud.com - Commercial IBM i Cloud Hosting.
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