The Future of the Professionals Forum

I had a very nice telephone conversation with Stephen Rushmore today.  We discussed many things, but mostly we talked about the Restaurant Professionals forums.  Stephen was very complimentary of the participants on the forum, and in general, what goes on here.  I was happy to learn that this forum and its content are in complete harmony with his mission for the Roadfood.com site as a whole.  He likes what he sees here, and wants to help us take "our area" to the next level.  What I was most appreciative of was his desire to have the participants on the forum "design" the new area.  This is our opportunity to change/improve what we already have.
 
This is truly bottom up change.  Stephen doesn't have the Pro forum redesigned already and just waiting to drop it in.  The details are not worked out, as he wants our input.  Here are a couple of very general points:
 
We will have our own point of entry on the homepage.  Also, more than likely, the "Latest Forum Conversations" window on the homepage would be split into 2 panels so we will still have the same or more visibility there. 
 
At this point we would appreciate it if you would post a "wish list" of sorts as it relates to features, resources, content etc... that you would like to see in the forum.  If you would like to include the benefit(s) of your proposed improvement, that would be very helpful.  Don't worry about the mechanics involved in making the change.  We'll let Stephen worry about those little details...LOL  Obviously, there is no guarantee that all of the suggestions can or will be implemented, but this will get the ball rolling.  Time is of the essence here as Stephen has some time to devote to this project over the Thanksgiving holiday.
 
I'm sorry for the long post, but I think this is a great opportunity for all of us.  I appreciate everyone here and the contribution you make to this forum.
 
Steve

Wow short notice, turkey day is going to be here in a flash, so this thread needs to stay at the top so everyone can have some input.

Ok in no particular order, here goes nothing….and that may well be what it’s worth.

I’d like to see open discussion on how government effects your business and not (“my party vs your party”) but the actual effects government has on small business. And if it were done right we need to find some expert, (perhaps a lobbyist, or lawyer) that can be a resident expert that would share how to get changes made in local city, county, or state law.

 
Ok this is something I have long wished for here on Roadfood but never wrote about. Real live audio interviews, or better yet real live video and audio interviews. Asking restaurant owners the questions we all would ask if we had 5 minutes with a successful restaurant owner or legend in the business.  They could cover a million things from the kitchen, front of the house, promotions, how to best deal with sales personal, how to prepare for holiday parties, catering, and the list would be never ending.  

Steve is this the kind of thing you’re looking for?

If so more to follow, I’m sure
Jack
 

Absolutely Doc.  You're on the right track.  No wrong answers on this one.  Please keep 'em comin!

How about a section of the pro forum for discussions on software, recipes, menu design, Wow menu design is an art all it own and most people know nothing about it.

How about signage, Can we find some experts in all of these fields that can help our members?

What if we got one of the in charge types from National Restaurant News to post whats new in the industry once a week?

Or how about a couple of the press people from some of the equipment companies to update us on new equipment once a month?

Ok I'll be back. LOL

Ok Ok , this would be the best ever…..lol we need to find someone in the PR business that we can interview, or would write a column on a monthly basis that would give our members tips on how to GET FREE PRESS in our own communities.

Dr of BBQ


Ok Ok , this would be the best ever…..lol we need to find someone in the PR business that we can interview, or would write a column on a monthly basis that would give our members tips on how to GET FREE PRESS in our own communities.

 
This could be expanded to include all aspects of marketing and promotion.  We may be on the hunt for alot of different Gurus...LOL

This could be expanded to include all aspects of marketing and promotion.  We may be on the hunt for alot of different Gurus...LOL

Yes: How about a section on how to build a web site for restaurants?

Dr of BBQ


This could be expanded to include all aspects of marketing and promotion.  We may be on the hunt for alot of different Gurus...LOL

Yes: How about a section on how to build a web site for restaurants?

 
What if there was a group chat feature that was moderated, where that topic could be taught real time to the attendees of the "conference"?  Notes of the session could be emailed to the participants of the forum.  As I understand it, we can have the ability to profile members.  In other words, when you register at Roadfood.com, you can check a box indicating that you are a food service professional.  This would allow for targeted emailings, newsletters, etc...

Is this done in audio form or text? Either way is good but an audio discussion would be awesome. I mean awesome. And the text or notes that would follow would be killer good.

The whole scheme of educating membership is so cool because members are going to take any information they gain and go to the next step. And then hopefully share that with other members.  I like it. Sunday nights are very cool for that sort of thing.

 

Dr of BBQ


Is this done in audio form or text? Either way is good but an audio discussion would be awesome. I mean awesome. And the text or notes that would follow would be killer good.

The whole scheme of educating membership is so cool because members are going to take any information they gain and go to the next step. And then hopefully share that with other members.  I like it. Sunday nights are very cool for that sort of thing.

 
I think it could be both audio and text.  Both may have their place.  I believe what we'll see is an evolution of the forum as it continues to grow.  Educating the membership is huge.  It's what will keep the Pro area growing.  I hope the cart vendors will chime in on this as well.  They're an important part of what goes on here.

Oh my ,
No lobbyist, will skiddaddle(sp),  no left wing no right wing, no audio. We have close to a perfect site. I don't believe the We are off base here. Going to extremes,as stated in thread.
My thoughts. Politics another forum. Not here.
We help start ups, people to afraid to go anywhere else. Hell with this Sky is Falling all the time.
Don't need it, don't what it.

I am going to throw in my two cents and state that that I feel this forum has taken over and detracts from this site. 
It is all hotdogs and let's face it, true professionals are taking their carts to a higher level. The people I am talking about are making the news in all form of media, and I have to laugh that in NYC, the best recourse is blocking these new entrepreneurs and slashing tires.

The posts here demonstrate my point; it is a conversation that has limited participation from all others. I have learned much from Pop's and the Dr. and I have enjoyed watching folks grow their business, but it has now become too overwhelming...

Hotdog vendors/cart owners should have a forum, much like the rest of the members who wish to talk about topics not listed on the home page.
I would rather see input and photos from long time members showing what they cooked for Lunch/Dinner than someone asking what kind of hotdog they should offer. For me, trip reports go missed and unread.....

On  the day of and after Thanksgiving, I do not expect to see one photo of the great meals that we all enjoyed whether at home or at a unique restaurant.  I do expect to see at least 5 cart topics.

That said, I have a suggestion for the cart vendors thinking about a new holiday dog: A turkey dog, wrapped in a slice of ham with  jalapeno/cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing, and crispy onion topping.
You're welcome.....

mark

for all you cart vendors: have any of you seen the "newest" thing to hit carts in LA and NY? The Sonoran hot dog- a Mexican version- was on the CBS Sunday Morning program yesterday- looked great- is anyone in the DFW area offering that kind of dog? And I sort of agree with doggydaddy- lately all the topics have been about dogs- maybe you guys do need a place to call your own? I'm just saying........

doggydaddy & mland520, from what I have read above and on the original thread on this subject, you should be thrilled by the proposed changes.  As PopsDogHouse said in the original post above after his conversation with Stephen Rushmore, "We (Restaurant Professionals) will have our own point of entry on the homepage.  Also, more than likely, the "Latest Forum Conversations" window on the homepage would be split into 2 panels..... "  This sounds to me like no one (unless they specifically want to) will have to scan through any of the Restaurant Professional threads in order to find all the other Roadfood topics that interest them.  There would be two separate sections to Roadfood: one for Professionals and another for everyone else!  (Since I enjoy reading some of the Professional topics, and even offering suggestions in areas where I have knowledge that might be helpful, I would just hope that I would not be banned from reading or posting in their section.)

6star


doggydaddy & mland520, from what I have read above and on the original thread on this subject, you should be thrilled by the proposed changes.  As PopsDogHouse said in the original post above after his conversation with Stephen Rushmore, "We (Restaurant Professionals) will have our own point of entry on the homepage.  Also, more than likely, the "Latest Forum Conversations" window on the homepage would be split into 2 panels..... "  This sounds to me like no one (unless they specifically want to) will have to scan through any of the Restaurant Professional threads in order to find all the other Roadfood topics that interest them.  There would be two separate sections to Roadfood: one for Professionals and another for everyone else!  (Since I enjoy reading some of the Professional topics, and even offering suggestions in areas where I have knowledge that might be helpful, I would just hope that I would not be banned from reading or posting in their section.)

that seems the exact intent, 6 star.

This sounds to me like no one (unless they specifically want to) will have to scan through any of the Restaurant Professional threads in order to find all the other Roadfood topics that interest them. 

I must be missing something here? You don't have to  scan through any of the Restaurant Professional thread in order to find all the other Roadfood topics that interest you now. All you have to do is scroll past the Pro and Hot Dog section, is that such a hassle?

Maybe I misunderstood the post if so someone please set me straight.

Thanks

Jack

Jack, I was just trying to explain to doggydaddy and mland520 that with the "Latest Forum Conversations" panel split in two, they wouldn't have to even look at the list of topics that seem to annoy them so much.  I never have had any problem with this, but some people seem to. 

doggydaddy


I am going to throw in my two cents and state that that I feel this forum has taken over and detracts from this site. 
It is all hotdogs and let's face it, true professionals are taking their carts to a higher level. The people I am talking about are making the news in all form of media, and I have to laugh that in NYC, the best recourse is blocking these new entrepreneurs and slashing tires.

The posts here demonstrate my point; it is a conversation that has limited participation from all others. I have learned much from Pop's and the Dr. and I have enjoyed watching folks grow their business, but it has now become too overwhelming...

Hotdog vendors/cart owners should have a forum, much like the rest of the members who wish to talk about topics not listed on the home page.
I would rather see input and photos from long time members showing what they cooked for Lunch/Dinner than someone asking what kind of hotdog they should offer. For me, trip reports go missed and unread.....

On  the day of and after Thanksgiving, I do not expect to see one photo of the great meals that we all enjoyed whether at home or at a unique restaurant.  I do expect to see at least 5 cart topics.

That said, I have a suggestion for the cart vendors thinking about a new holiday dog: A turkey dog, wrapped in a slice of ham with  jalapeno/cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing, and crispy onion topping.
You're welcome.....

mark

Am I missing something here? The Hot Dog/Cart people DO have their own section under the Restaurant Professionals Forum for discussing all things Hot Dog related, don't they?????????

6 Star oh I knew what you were doing, and I appreciate your efforts.

I'm just amazed that anyone would be irratated at having to scroll past a forum to get to the forum/thread, they wanted to read. I can be more than picky at times but gosh if you don't want to read the Pro or Hot Dog forum....anyway thanks

And Foodbme your right....... and I had the same thoughts.

Jack

What was requested above was for the participants of this forum to post a wishlist of what they would like to see in the new forum.  Our goal is to continue to grow and improve the Pro section.  This is a chance for people who care about this section to help design the next step.  Nobody asked for opinions on how much space the hot dog vendors take up, or how overwhelming the volume of posts from this section are, or a guess as to the number of hot dog topics there will be the day after Thanksgiving.  If your only purpose in posting in this section is to piss and moan about this section, go play in somebody else's sandbox.  If you want to improve the Pro section, by all means post your list.  Anymore off topic posts will be deleted.

6Star- You're contributiions here are appreciated and I hope they will continue.  Nobody is being banned or excluded from the section.  That would be contrary to the mission.  The silliness of who should be here, where they should be, and how much they should post is over in this section however.  It is counterproductive, rude, and disparaging to the folks that participate here.

I only come over here if I see a recent topic on the home page that I might be able to add something to. So, I have a few suggestions to make.
1. For the pros who wish to enter the professionals area directly from a bookmark, history or favorites list, or manually enter the URL from memory, I propose the dedicated web address:
http://www.roadfood.com/pro
It is unused at present, and easy to remember.
2. There should be a graphic at the top of the homepage (similar to that license plate graphic) that clicking on would lead to the professionals section.
3. There should be a separate section for recent posts to the professional section created directly below the current section. That way, pros can hit "Page Down" a few times to get to them quickly. To the right of that, below the present Poll, there should be a duplicate graphic of the one at the top that clicking on will lead to the professionals section.

One of the designs I am thinking about is having a setting in peoples profile so they can specify themselves as a "Professional."  With that, they can see the professional forums and other professional parts of the site.  We could even set it up so they don't see the other parts of the forum.

Conversely, if someone doesn't select professional, that forum area will be hidden, and they probably wouldn't even know it exists on the site.

I think that should accelerate the divide that is taking place and make it more amicable for everyone.  Fortunately, this is a fairly easy thing to do, and if PopsDogHouse agrees, can be completed over Thanksgiving weekend.

Change is always a pain! lol. But over the last 9 years, I've watched Stephan improved the site. Granted there may be a week of complaints, but in the long run it always comes out better!

David,
I didn't understand one bit of that. Not your fault in fact mine because I'm not that tech savvy.

But I have to say I'm surprised the forum is not getting inundated with suggestions for this revamp.

This is a chance to put your mark on something that could out live us all. Well hopefully we will all live long lives but you understand.

Gosh folks come up with your wildest dreams, they just might come true.

This is a once in a lifetime chance to shape a major web site that will continue to grow and possible shape an industry.

Jack

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


One of the designs I am thinking about is having a setting in peoples profile so they can specify themselves as a "Professional."  With that, they can see the professional forums and other professional parts of the site.  We could even set it up so they don't see the other parts of the forum.

Conversely, if someone doesn't select professional, that forum area will be hidden, and they probably wouldn't even know it exists on the site.

I think that should accelerate the divide that is taking place and make it more amicable for everyone.  Fortunately, this is a fairly easy thing to do, and if PopsDogHouse agrees, can be completed over Thanksgiving weekend.

I don't think you should exclude the "General Membership" from ANY Forums. Many of us are considering becoming Restauranteurs, Cart Operators, Caterers, and other entities in Food Service Industry. OR maybe just dreamers who enjoy reading the discussions on the web site! The VALUABLE information disbursed on ALL the forums from people in the business is CRUCIAL to many who are contemplating getting into the business. Call it "SIDELINES LEARNING".
It's one of the greatest benefits and assets of the web site. I realize that the web site has grown to gigantic porportions--- Don't exclude---Include by creating More Sub-Divisions and if needed, more Forums So that EVERYONE CAN BE INCLUDED, NOT EXCLUDED

Don't exclude---Include by creating More Sub-Divisions and if needed, more Forums So that EVERYONE CAN BE INCLUDED, NOT EXCLUDED

I agree 100%

  If you hide the Pro Forum it will dry up and go away. Non professionals add to the pro section on an ongoing bases. In fact on some subjects more so than the pros because the pros can become stuck in the "oh we always do it this way" mode.

I just don't understand the resistance to scroll down a list of great reading options in order to get to something that you want to read? And another thought, if you have to sign up in what ever form,  before you can read the forum, most that stumble on to the site will just go away. I rarely sign up for anything because I get enough spam already, and I like others don't trust web pages that require my email address. Oh yes they promise not to use, sell, or barter, my address but how do I know later if they did? So I just leave if asked to fill out a form, or give them my email address.

Jack

I agree with Jack and Foodbme.  I wouldn't want to see the Pro section exclude anyone or be hidden in any way.  Non pros contribute all the time.  As long as people have the option to hide the section in their preferences, I would think that would suffice.

My two cents says, leave it alone. 
 
Don't let the tail wag the dog.  You already have everything in place to satisfy anyone who is annoyed by the posters in the pro section.   
 
 
 

joerogo


My two cents says, leave it alone. 
 
Don't let the tail wag the dog.  You already have everything in place to satisfy anyone who is annoyed by the posters in the pro section.   
 
 
 

 
Thanks for chiming in Joe.  I appreciate it.  These changes have everything to do with improving the experience of those who participate in the Pro section.  It isn't about fixing something that's broken, or reducing an "annoyance" factor for a few people.  There is so much potential for this area to become much more and much better than it is.  I'm just thankful that Stephen is giving us the opportunity.  One of the things Stephen and I discussed was how the participants here rarely, if ever, complain about change.  Most embrace it.  To me, that's an important quality for an entrepreneur to have.

PopsDogHouse


I agree with Jack and Foodbme.  I wouldn't want to see the Pro section exclude anyone or be hidden in any way.  Non pros contribute all the time.  As long as people have the option to hide the section in their preferences, I would think that would suffice.

I should have made myself clearer - Yes, it will be an option!