topic Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards in Discussions & Feedback

Open discussion: Community Rewards

Marjo — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:50:50 GMT

Hi all,

How’s your week going?

So we’ve had the Community Rewards now since August 2013 to say thank you to all of you who help each other out, drive discussion and produce great content and engagement on our community. Very happy to see both old and new members on the rewards list – see here the Rewards thread from January.

We’d like to hear your views on the Rewards to check whether we could make any enhancements now that this programme has been in use for a while. I know some of you have mentioned that an option for giving your reward to charity would be welcomed – definitely something we have been thinking about for a while now based on your comments so far and continue looking into – interesting ideas already going on in the January thread I linked above.

Any interest in e.g. having the community rewards working towards acquiring a new mobile device or perhaps linked with services such as Priority Moments? What do you think about the current levels – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze?

What about any other ideas or suggestions?

Looking forward to the discussion!

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

viridis — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 14:36:49 GMT

I shall reply fully to this later @Marjo

But for now, allow me to grant you the use of my own personal flak jacket

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

jonsie — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 14:40:41 GMT

I too will come back to this later.....

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:29:23 GMT

This message is dated 11 Feb 2015. Can it have been here 5 days without any replies?

I may be disqualified from commenting on this subject as I am (at my own request) not included in any consideration of the monthly rewards, but there are those who are ready, able and willing to wield the editorial axe to remove my remarks if they are thereby regarded as inappropriate or unwelcome in the circumstances.

My attitude to the Community Rewards system is also coloured by the fact that rewards are apparently determined by an undisclosed "algorithm" which obviously can be overruled by the Management Team should they so wish.

The Community undoubtedly provides a lot of excellent help to a lot of people but since a very high proportion of that help and advice comes from quite a small number of people it can hardly be very surprising that the "rewards" are likely to be going to the same small band of names on a regular basis. Whilst a list of the names of recipients is published, no indication whatever is given as to why some get £50 and others get £10. In other words there is nothing to help other members, and especially new members, to understand what they might have to do to achieve a "reward" themselves.

As regards donation of rewards to a charity or charities, That is a totally unnecessary "complication" with some potential pitfalls that would be best avoided. If individual recipients wish to pass on their "reward" to charity of their choice that is to be applauded but let them do so themselves They can always post a message to say they have done so if that is what they wish. If the donation is to be formalised via O2 then that may put unfair "pressure" on some potential recipients to agree.

You ask for comments about the levels Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. These smack of "winners" and "losers". Perhaps consideration should be given to allocating awards for Best Tip of The Month, Best Equipment Review, Best App Review, Best Guide, and just to annoy those who don't like the Off Topic Board - Best Joke of the Month, Best O2 Community Avatar, Best Recipe, Best Rewards Algorithm .................

I will stop there as I can hear the faint rattle of literary daggers being drawn and detect the negativity sensors approaching overload. But calm down folks - read what I say but for goodness sake listen to what I mean.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:17:19 GMT

First time I've heard of them...where does one go to find out more ?

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:22:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
First time I've heard of them...where does one go to find out more ?

You could start here. @Anonymous

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Poppysmum — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:24:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
First time I've heard of them...where does one go to find out more ?

Click on Community Rewards in the first post or go here http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/Time-to-say-Thank-You-Introducing-the-O2-Community-Rewards/td-p/501548

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Marjo — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:33:58 GMT

Looking forward to your views @viridis @jonsie , no worries I'll have the thread up for a while to give everyone a chance to comment with their views.

Thanks for the jacket. Much appreciated, I can use it to protect myself from the claws when I bathe my cats.... Indeed I'm hoping for constructive feedback and some ideas, suggestions that we can look at now that this programme has been going on for a while, in case there's something in there we could try change or enhance this year. Even if you have some older comments that you've thought of before, pop them in too just in case as some things could maybe be revisited.

Some interesting points @Anonymous cheers for that! No you haven't missed the topic. I've posted the thread today, but started drafting it last week hence the date stamp.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Beenherebefore — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:36:36 GMT

A much shorter and quicker to the point comment than Gerry's.

Get rid of them

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Poppysmum — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:43:14 GMT

What about a birthday reward if members have posted ? posts in a period of time. ? because i am unsure how many posts would qualify. You could send Poppy a doggy denture on hers

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:39:37 GMT

My opinion of the community rewards is, yes if a small amount of posters/members are getting the rewards month after month, then yes it may be seen be some in a cynical light as, they are getting their phone bill paid in full and then some. My answer to this is..If they have the time and knowledge to provide useful information etc, then what is wrong with them getting a token of appreciation in the way of a community reward.

Its been mentioned that the community rewards is based on a secret alogrythm, providing this is kept secret, then this reduces the risk of some members abusing the community rewards system.

With regards to donating to charities. Leave it up to the winner of the community reward to decide if he or she wants to donate. We all have charities that are more closer to the heart than others. So again, let the winner decide if and which charity they want to donate to.

If it were left for the community admins (Toby, Marina etc) to decide which of the charities were going to get a particular reward/s that particular month, then, this may not be a charity that a community reward winner would wish to donate to (they might have a charity that is close to their hearts due to a loved one suffering from that particular illness). Setting up a choice of charities to receive a reward/s, is just going to complicate matters.

What is as simple as leaving it up to the reward winner to decide if they want to donate their reward to charity.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

gemz4the1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:29:13 GMT

Here's my opinion:
Awards are pointless as it's the members receiving them every month and I think they are primarily the members who don't agree with the reward system anyway.
Also, I think a new reward should be introduced for a new member to be rewarded every month.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Cleoriff — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:37:30 GMT

What can I say? I like them.

I have been lucky enough to receive a reward for the past few months. I have no idea why that is... but if the 'secret algorithm' thinks I deserve one....then it can stay secret..

By posting on here daily I have learnt a hell of a lot. If the community wishes to reward me for that, then I wont complain.

I wont stop posting if the reward system disappears though

I am not sure if other forums reward their members but if it gives encouragement to new members to join then I can't see that as a bad thing personally. It can act as an incentive

If it came to a vote to keep the rewards or get rid of them, I would vote to keep them

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

MI5 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:48:51 GMT

I would also vote to keep them and hope that it would encourage more new members who will share their knowledge.
I do, however, think that it needs to be made very clear that it's not about post count as you will just get people flooding the forum with rubbish.
On the subject of charity donations I make my own based on what rewards I get but I understand that isn't possible for those that don't have an O2 sim.
Their options are a PAYG sim card for the purpose of just collecting rewards or opting out unless there can be another way devised?
What about O2 collecting all the "unclaimed" rewards and then taking a vote every 6 months for a nominated charity on behalf of the O2 Community Forum Members.......?

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:35:28 GMT

Overall I agree with @MI5 in that the rewards should stay.

I TOTALLY agree that the message should be clear. Posting rubbish on here just to get your post count up should not reflect in the rewards system. These people know who they are.

There are several on here, which may include me shortly, who are not with o2 and so their rewards are worthless in their current form. Perhaps they could have them saved up then every few months get a cheque or choose a charity.

The rewards should be for the technical advice that we give, the customer support, the help advice and guidance. Off topic crap should not be counted.

Would I leave if the rewards stopped? Unlikely although I may choose to leave if I change network.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:39:14 GMT

imho MI5 talks sense in his post above, with particular reference to the unclaimed rewards going to a community vote re: charity

keep the algorithm secret

to me it is only fair rewards are given - personally I get a lot of help from various people, who share their knowledge & they do it in their spare time

I also like Gerry's idea of eg Joke of the Month etc

I have received a silver & a bronze reward since I joined the O2 community - & I'm grateful = it was like I'd been given a silver & a bronze medal I put the money to a charity of my choice

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:02:20 GMT

I also agree keep the algorithm secret.

I would also go one step further and state that those who keep posting constant rubbish threads on here turning this Community into a laughing stock should not receive rewards.

Tech support yes, keep and promote the rewards. We are all learning on here and the more we do the more we learn.

The Community at its best is a fab place to be.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:50:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I also agree keep the algorithm secret.

I would also go one step further and state that those who keep posting Rowant rubbish threads on here turning this Community into a laughing stock should not receive rewards.

Tech support yes, keep and promote the rewards. We are all learning on here and the more we do the more we learn.

The Community at its best is a fab place to be.

Not sure what "Rowant rubbish" is to be honest @Anonymous but one of the reasons why I "opted out" of the Rewards system was because it was very clear to me that that was how most of my contributions were regarded by some. I cannot disagree with their assessment mind you, but I definitely won't accept rewards for it.

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:55:04 GMT

Flippin Samsung swipe text. Rowant should read constant

Re: Open discussion: Community Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:59:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Flippin Samsung swipe text. Rowant should read constant

ah, Swype - 'tis great when it works, sir! But has caused me a red face or two!! Nevertheless, thanks for explaining.