Re: [libreoffice-marketing] LibO in Business

On 10/26/2010 12:37 PM, Italo Vignoli wrote:
>
> The single biggest problems with adoption is lack of awareness.
>
> It is possible to solve feature problems, it is not possible to solve
> the lack of awareness.

Lack of awareness isn't an insurmountable problem.  Awareness is 
acheived in several ways:

1) Media exposure
2) User/friend exposure
3) Personal experience
4) Public Events
5) Schools

Most of those points can be addressed by dedicated volunteers who are 
willing to do the legwork to get LibO into the right hands. Totally 
doable and without hardly *any* budget at all.

Media exposure, that can be handled a few ways. First, paid media time 
ala Firefox. This might take the form of major magazine and newspaper 
advertising, television advertising, etc. But it could also be achieved 
by savvy and aggressive PR that gets the media's attention.

Awareness is achievable, it's just going to take a huge amount of work, 
dedication, and creativity. That's something that, from my very limited 
exposure to this community, I don't think will be a problem at all.

> Please remember than in Europe, where the community has marketed the
> product, market share is over 20%.
>
> In the US, where Sun has marketed the product, market share is 0%.

I don't think these numbers tell the whole story. The market penetration 
of OOo isn't 0%. No, it's not as high as Europe but I think that's 
largely because, I think, the European community is quite a bit more 
active than the American and Canadian communities are. But, whatever the 
reason, it is indeed a problem - an addressable one, but a problem that 
has to be resolved.

If I remember correctly, OOo's market share was somewhere near 6-8%% in 
the US based on something I read a few months ago. I'll dig up the link 
and send it down the list.

> Of course, improving features and UX are musts, but adoption is totally
> connected to awareness.

Maybe not totally. Awareness is teir 1. But I know a lot of people 
who've tried OOo and moved back to MS Office because it was familiar and 
it worked with everything they have. Much of that is a retraining issue 
but some of it is making sure they have good support for post migration 
issues.

UX and awareness are a problem, but by no means the only (or even 
primary) reason more people aren't jumping ship. Never underestimate the 
power of inertia or Microsoft's marketing reach. MS Office customers 
might be *aware* of OOo and, now, LibO, but they *believe* their 
software vendor when they tell them 'sure, it's technicall free. But 
there are other costs that you might not be willing to pay to switch". 
Their users really believe they have chosen the best option.

Thankfully, LibO has a chance to wipe the slate completely clean and do 
things right. An incredible opportunity lies in front of us and I don't 
think this community is going to waste it. That's exciting!

Anthony

--
Anthony Papillion
Advanced Data Concepts
Remote Technical Support and Software Development

Office: (918) 919-4624
Mobile: (918) 320-9968


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