dear members, page-58

If I have your permission to indulge, I would like to share some of my analysis to what had just transpired in HC attempt to transition to a new platform.

some one once told me that “ We all have that moment with technology sooner or later: we just don’t get it. It’s a moment that will be followed by many more as the years ago by. Maybe it starts with touchscreens: we prefer buttons. Maybe it starts with Twitter: we'd rather use IRC. In our teen years, every new piece of tech is effortlessly absorbed into our daily lives. Ten years, twenty years later, it’s tough, and sometimes we stop adapting altogether.”

The new HC site was forward thinking as well as being a multilingual platform from what I could see, meaning it had potential to integrate with other platforms and technology such as Facebook, twitter, as well as various othere trading platforms etc. The majority of HC members failed to see the new site for what it was, a tool in your arsenal of trading software, instead, the majority just opted for a bulletin board, which is what this old format represents. Whose fault is that, certainly not the members! I would say the blame would have to lie with the project managers who were rolling out the new site. My initial reaction to the site was favorable, until the member’s discussion around the change became unfavorable and sometimes downright rude and nasty;

In my view, the fundamentals of change management were not adhered too. For instance, the lack of video presentation on how use the new site co-existing with the promotion of the new HC was absent. In my opinion, you tube needed to be a part of the formula in educating hot copper members. Without you tube, there is a deadly silence in getting your messages across. In the site where the new HC explained the new environment, looked like a user manual where it should of looked like a polished, well rounded website separate from the site itself…not some technical manual layout.

Secondly, the brand itself, the identity that everyone can associate with the famous HC black orange theme, was inherently missing throughout the site which was only apparent in the logo on the top followed a day later by icons of orange which started to appear. At that point I’m sure the members started to feel, somewhat disenfranchised as it seemed they were on another site altogether and not at HC that they have come to know and interact with.

For the most part, speed was a huge factor which was compromised, for reasons which may not be in my technical ability, however I do know that portability and accessibility is just important and from the complaints about the various portable devices, the on the go devices seemed to be a second thought, whereas announcement would of suffice stating that portable devices were not yet ready.

I will conclude by saying that we the members are traders, here to make money, from a diverse range of backgrounds. The HC team I believe gave us too much credit when it came to our ability and intelligence as we are all at various levels of understanding and adaptability when it comes to new technologies that will ultimately enhance what we do. In this high stakes world of trading, quick reaction to opportunity, a degree of usability of the tools we use in a world where speed and knowledge are king, educating the masses in a way which was user friendly, cohesive and inviting was an afterthought where it should have been in the forefront of the role out.

Don’t give up, Good luck next time round, really liked what I seen.

Cheers Cyberstar