Parallax Fans

How does one truly critique a company? There are many parameters that can be used. Sales, the number of hits on Google, the stock price, are all valid. I like companies who have a solid, enthusiastic fan base who would argue as an advocate for the company they love in the way that some of us support our favorite sports teams. There are a number of books on the market to teach marketers like myself how to achieve this. Sitting on a book case 6 feet from me are titles such as Raving Fans, How to Wow, Buzzmarketing, Word of Mouth Marketing, and Purple Cow. These are all great titles..I have taken away and implemented something from each of these. A real life lab is always better than a book though. On Saturday, I got to study a master a creating fans...Parallax.

SchmartBoard has recently partnered with Parallax on a new Parallax Propeller development board. This new board allows users to hand solder all of the components, giving them a full hobbyist experience. The SchmartBoard|ez technology makes this possible. Parallax launched the board this weekend at the Unofficial Propeller Expo ath Parallax's headquarters in Rocklin, CA. It was an impressive gathering of fans from all over the US(an I believe a couple internationals). They learned about it from a very successful online forum for Parallax users. The event was free to attendees. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served, speakers were their, vendors who have products that support Parallax users, and all of the key executives were accessible. It was more like a reunion of like minded people than a gathering of strangers. There were families, and individuals, Parallax pros and novices. I met a 12 year old girl who was soldering for the first time in her life. I was there helping people with the EZ soldering as they put together their complimentary Schmartboard Propeller Development board. I did not stay all night, however the idea was that people might stay past midnight working on and sharing their love of all things Parallax.

It is important to have goals. You have to know where you are going. If SchmartBoard can achieve the level of fandom that has been achieved by Parallax, we will have done a great job. I look forward to the day when we can have a get together of fans ...perhaps you!