cri....

[Zee]

We were warned not to ask tough questions and don't give a "hard" time to Braun...or else!!!

We will be escorted out!!!


Ok here we go... We get to hear about spot removers that clean as good as water!!! Omg!!

Soa- what a joke!!

 

[Zee]

Ok..that was just a couple things the first few minutes...I can't keep up with the list of bs...to post it. My blackberry is slow in here.

I trust someone here will have a better list...

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Would be cool if some had the balls to 'enmass walk out

 

[Desk Jockey]

We were warned not to ask tough questions and don't give a "hard" time to Braun...or else!!!

I guess I can see about giving him a hard time, that's a little unprofessional. But not being able to ask tough questions? :roll:

If he can play tough online or in a radio interview, he should at least be able to take a little heat for his comments. :|

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I guess the nature of "tough questions" is hard to define, and thus intimidates any questioning.

Any speaker who comes to an event should be treated with courtesy, allowed to present his material, and then afterward should be expected to answer questions that are relevant to the points he expressed.

If the president of the US (regardless which one, or which party) is expected to answer some pretty probing and tough questions from reporters, I don't see why Mr Braun should be expected to be held to a different standard.

I'd be embarrassed to make a presentation and have to have my host make such a statement before I spoke.

 

[Zee]

Exactly Jim- to intimidate your audience before speaking to them is pretty sad.

Just because some will have "tough" questions that doesn't mean it won't be respectfully delivered or in a manner that suits the situation.

 

[Ryan]

I would take the passive aggressive approach.

Surely they won't throw you out for simply asking questions.... damn I wish I was there right now.... we should invite them to MF.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

In its own way, the CRI defeated its purpose.

Mr Braun, whom I've been told is a fine gentleman and a very engaging individual, was there to be a positive PR representative for the SOA. Had he handled tough questions with respect and reflection, and even if he had done some minor side stepping, he could have at least shown that the CRI has a listening ear and a sense of reasonableness.

By allowing his host to put those restrictions on the audience, he defeated that purpose, and likely left with no one feeling much impressed with his presentation.

You'd think an adroit politician (such people are, of course, ultimately politicians) would even allow himself to be treated a bit roughly, and then handle it gallantly. Politicians have been known to plant "tough customers" just to let them play the role of the "noble and persecuted".

Most fair minded individuals would have then sided with him for having played his part fairly and bravely, and he'd have scored points there too.

All in all, I suppose I'm happy it happened this way. I can't imagine that CRI scored any points today.

I'd appreciate feedback from anyone else who was there.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

I hope someone had video.

Many were hoping he would make the CRI relevant to cleaners. Perhaps too much to ask.

I pray someone will at least take some of the badly needed steps to make carpet relevant to consumers who are abandoning it.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

My guess is that he left the room feeling like he accomplished his mission.

The CRI has little respect for the cleaning industry, which they so warmly call their "partners".

We are no more their partner than the little kid who comes to your door selling candy you buy but throw away later just to be nice to him.

At best they see us as sadly uninformed, but nice people that should be patted gently on the head and smiled down upon.

At worst they see us as their dementia ridden relative that they dutifully visit when they have to, but feel slightly uneasy when they sit too close to us for too long.

My guess is they see us as the second more than the first.

 

[-JB-]

and likely left with no one feeling much impressed with his presentation.

shocking! :shock:


are you people new here? Ivebeensold

At worst they see us as their dementia ridden relative that they dutifully visit when they have to, but feel slightly uneasy when they sit too close to us for too long.

My guess is they see us as the second more than the first.

apparently not.

 

[Ron Werner]

Well isn't that a bugger.
Jim, you say he's a fine gentleman and engaging. I say he's more like a politician, and while he's fine and engaging in public, he's stealing lollipops in private.

From what I've read in this thread it sounds like his presentation was more a farce than educational.
What do we have to do to be heard by this .... "man"?


Did anyone record it, audio or video?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

We can BUY in on dvd for $299....

 

[Zee]

One guy was sitting up front recording with a nice video camera.

Another gentleman I failed to recognize was sitting directly behind me (sorry if you are a member here) with what seem to be a recoder.

I'm pretty sure Lisa will have great notes as well! By the way Lisa's question about the platinum rug doctor was not answered the right way. Its still comical that a rugdoctor would be mentioned in the same sentence with truckmounts and their recovering capabilities.

 

[Ron Werner]

I find it ludicrous to even consider a Rug Dr for testing since in order to "qualify" as a certified cleaning it needs to be used by a Certified Technician. I don't know but I think its a pretty fair guess that no self respecting certified tech would use a Rug Dr.


What an insult to cleaners and a waste of their time and money that they would ask them not to ask "difficult" questions. WHat was he expecting them to ask?? Isn't that what that conference is about?

 

[The Great Oz]

The heavy-handed "warning" is an intimidation tactic used to quash dissent or discussion. Surprising that it works so well on a group of adults. I would have preferred an opening statement that acknowledged the controversy and asked that everyone be responsible and professional with their questions.

Question about the Rug Doctor was answered with "It does a pretty good job of cleaning a 10 inch square." Most answers were in the - I hear what you're saying, or, We're working hard on that - variety.

Poor presentation, with the toughest question about oily soil being tossed to Carey Mitchell, and I think he was surprised to be put on the spot to defend the CRI.

 

[Ron Werner]

that sounds about right. He did the same thing to me in person the one year I met him at Connections. "We're aware of that and working on it" etc
"delegated" the hard questions to the person at the CRI booth.

How does he keep his job???
What the hec does he "do" anyway??