There is a publication for professionals entitled Who’s Who.
It is supposed to be prestigious and a benefit to be written into it. One of mny brothers was quite proud to be written into the who’s Who of high school students way back when. He has things to be proud of.
About three years ago, I recieved an invitation to be listed in it and they wanted more background info so I called the phone # and was interviewed. The interview included a lot of ego boosting compliments. Then the final pitch – I needed to buy a copy of the book to have my full bio included. Ohterwise, only my name, rank and – you get the idea. I declined to buy the book, determining in my own mind that this was a foirm of vanity publishing. Have no idea if I was even mentioned in the hbook as an also ran and never lost any sleep over it.
So tonight, I open an email inviting me to respond to be included in the publiation again if I would fill out a form…
So does anyone have any idea if any of their claims are true? Have you been written into the hbook and had any benefit from it other than bragging rights?
Just curious.
Excellence is its own reward!
Replies
I think you have the right take on it. Just a scam.
I know that I have never even tried to locate a copy of Who's Who to look anyone up. I don't believe I've ever seen a copy of Who's Who in the library. And I have no memory of ever hearing of someone making use of the book.
I do think I've seen it listed in a local political bio on occasion: "listed in Who's Who...". Good reason not to vote for that candidate...easily taken in by scams...LOL!
Another day, another tool.
By Golly, that was quick, Rick!
;<{o)>.
Excellence is its own reward!
My wife has been in it for at least the last 10 years . I have never seen her use any of the books , but she would not be the type that would use it. Funny thing you mentioned it as I was in the library bout 2 weeks ago in the basement putting some tables back I had refinished . She had a copy on one of the tables that I had layed aside. I sat down and looked at it . I guess I spent 30 minutes looking at it and I was wondering why "she bought them ". I figgure its status symbol , or honoring your self to some degree. I remember her saying you had to be asked , but I know she buys the book. Anyway, I figgured she could use the book if she wanted to as she makes contacts all over the world. I looked in construction . A lot of related companies were represented in the building industry. If I was looking for contacts , I would be in at the top . A sales course we both went to sold the threory of asking for the boss. Start at the top as its easier to get decisions. You have to know the boss to get in to him or her or you will be a screened. Piffin , it could work in the right instance. I figgure I could get a job out of it and a good one , unlike reading want ads . Im not looking , but I decided having the book would make money if you used it . You would know the big players in your state and what their company did. Contacts and knowledge about them.
Tim Mooney
Timn,from that perspective, it would be good for me to own the book if I were in Sales as a career. But in my personal position, it would only invite phone calls that are unwanted and on my little island, I already know the people who count, what their position is, and how they treat people and pay their bills.
I recently researched a new client on the internet and found that he is a head lawyer in charge of a firm with 350 other attorneys working under him in three countries. The internet can be both beneficial and scarey! And it can supercede publications of this sort..
Excellence is its own reward!
Now I was never asked in high school, guess I should have studied more but anyway, My sister was asked, as were several people I know.
It is just a scam to get money in my opinion. If it were legit then why would they say you have to pay to be in it. I think it sells well because it gives people Bulsh!t bragging rights, and some people just like to see their name in print and have something to show off.
You obviously already deserve the respect of fellow builders given the fact you have been "published" numerous times in the breaktime section of the mag giving advice and by the fact you have, [so you say :)], been asked to wright an article on occasion.
Save your money, go buy a nice bottle of merlot with the money would have sent and relax with it being comforted by the fact you didn't send money to some sham artist preying on gullable insecure people who need affirmation to believe they are competent.
they've been after me for about 15 years... no fame , but i still got my moneyMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Gee, Mike. That amount of money every year for that long with compoubnding and you have saved over two grand, the way i just figurerd it!
That's enough to buy us each a bottle or two. What a way to become famous!
See you in the tavern!.
Excellence is its own reward!
I've gotten the pitch, too. Things like that impress people who are impressed by things like that, if you know what I mean.........
It doesn't matter how fast you get there, it just matters that you go in the right direction.
Reminds me of one of my clients. He spends money on things for the sole purpose of impressing people. Personally, I think he impresses himself more than anybody else..
Excellence is its own reward!
"Reminds me of one of my clients. He spends money on things for the sole purpose of impressing people. Personally, I think he impresses himself more than anybody else."
I was gonna adress this to the youg un , but him you and Mike are saying the same things . Im going to respond to your words above.
Im gonna give a give a short speech guys, hang on . LOL. Im not going to take up for the DW , as I already said I agree with you boys on self satisfaction. However you want to display it . Ego works for me. But,.....
Sometimes we need a professional personna to be on display. Some people who are expected to play ball on an equal level with the biggest boys ," you dont show up barefooted. " We have discussed a lot of things that are tied "to look professional". If DW were to apply for a job she could put that in her resumae. That would be the same thing to impress her interveiwer . Its just one of many things she does . She does a bunch of different things for image such as Rotary , Chamber of Commerce, and several different community things. She speaks at schools and universities , plus has lunch with a lot of different people. Shes chairman of the board of the Rubber Roller Group Of America . Shes held several offices in business organizations . A lot of things she has done is in that book. The book is perception as we have talked about before . Shes no different today than the day I met her when she wasnt in it or didnt have much of a list to post. All it means is shes an old road warrior thats been on a few reservations.
A friend of mine ran for mayor last year . DW told him to list every thing in the paper he had ever done because he had been involved with the community in several areas . The one thing that pulled a lot of weight was him sponsering a ball team every year for the past 23 years. There was a long list I wont post , but most think the list helped him pull it out for a win. Now guys , if you dont think your name on a bunch of shirts for 23 years helping the community doesnt mean anything , you better think again .
I agree that the book would not do us any good , but other things will . Classified as perception . You want people to think youre a good person ? Prove it in the public eye by being seen helping with the community. The book serves a posting notice of accomplishments. Its the same thing.
Tim Mooney
Edited 3/27/2003 12:48:29 AM ET by Tim Mooney
I was gonna adress this to the youg un
First I'm going to assume you meant young un Then I'm going to assume you were speaking of me :)
Guess my little rant came across as a bit harsh.
I didn't read your post before I spit mine out. I almost sent a reply your way saying I meant no disrespect to your wife, and I didn't and still do not.
That aside I just feel that asking people for money to publish their name in a book of "who's who" is a bit shady. To me it takes away the meaning of the accomplishment. I also don't mean to imply that those that are asked are not deserving of the opportunity.
I didn't realize until tonight that they published books other then the high school book
What irks me about it specifically is they go after high school kids and say hey, your smart you deserve this and the whole world can see it.... Now just give us about 50 bucks and you can have it. What high school kid doesn't want to see their name in print as being a "who's who" of students? And to some, and I'm not implying your wife, they need things like this to boost their ego.
In my opinion the honor is lessened by the fact they expect you to pay to receive it. Imagine if the Nobel Prize that worked that way, You just won the Nobel Prize!!!! now please just send us a check and the award will be sent to you in 6-8 weeks.
Anyway, just my 2 pennies and again meant no offence.
View ImageGo Jayhawks
Edited 3/27/2003 1:06:59 AM ET by CAG
I agree with you . No offense can be taken . Just dont concentrate on what carps say about everything . There is a bigger world out there . Have you ever wondered how it is some people in your community look successful?
Tim Mooney
I think there are several issues here. First is paying to have your name published. When you publish an article in a scientific journal, you pay the publisher. The more prestigious the journal, the more you pay. Yes, the people who subscribe to the journal pay also, so the publishers are getting money twice, but they don't have advertising revenue so they need all the other revenue they can get just to keep going. So, the fact that you have to pay in and of itself is not indicative of something shady going on. As far as I know Who's Who has no other source of revenue beyond book sales and people who pay to be listed.
Another issue is the targeting of high school students. When I was in high school I figured that $20 (OK I'm old) was a way to add a little more weight to a college application. Maybe not, but so what - the application itself cost $50 and colleges were (and are) highly competitive. If I weren't applying to college I can't imagine paying for it, but I didn't buy a yearbook most years either.
Now? I've never accepted the invitation. I can see where it would be useful to get a Who's Who in Science and be able to look up all of someone's publications, but I can ask for the C.V. (sort of like a resume) and get the same info for free. I do see it as a vanity publication, but one that, in certain fields, could be useful. The usefulness is for someone doing research on a person or company, though, not as a way to promote your business.
Good post .
Tim Mooney
There is respect for achievement. Community imvolvement is vital to our civilization. Without that charity of personal time the world would be a harsh place.
Some, I for one, have a hard time tooting my horn. It probably has a lot to do with socialization and general outgoing personality characteristics. Sincerity, involvement, and honesty have a way of evolving into charisma, that is a good thing. It is probably some portion of envy that makes leaders suspect.
A "good person" is a welcome relief to read or hear about. In today's highly published world so many facts are stretched I become wary of political posturing. Possibly that is what makes the mass publication of contributions seem distastful. Certainly in the midst of that book there are people that should lead us. Your wife looks to be one of those contributors if for no other reason than she amuses you. Take no slight from my comments, please.
I've worked in industrial plants for 12 years directly and by association for 10 more. There are platnum sphincters out there that have no substance but a hell of a resume. It is the American version of English landed gentry. Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
Good post .
I spoke to DW this morning briefly about it . Not much was said as time was a factor. Any way I asked her what good the book did. "She said she was not sure . Its kinda like putting on a trade show. You put time and money in a trade show and then wonder about what good it did after you get home. " Piffin mentioned a trade show he went to that he had wondered about the people being there because of things he didn't care for I will say. Something to the effect that he questioned the companies spending the money to be there . She mentioned a trade show because its much the same thing in principal. Some people put a lot of money in that trade show Piffin wasn't happy with and that must be a reflection on response. DW puts a lot of effort in trade shows to put the company out there to make a statement ; Hey guys, we are here every year . We can be trusted because we are here to stay. That's important for a company that writes checks for thousands of dollars for her companies services. Perception , trust, pride in seeing the company you chose to deal with at every trade show blowing competitors away gains respect. The book costs her 200 dollars a year by the way. Advertising works the same way in that you pay people to put your name and product in print for people to read. Is there a guarantee ? Of course not . You still have to run the business and its a necessary evil if you will.
We could say that we are good , we don't need to ask for business . They should call us because we are good enough. That's pretty short minded considering the competition we have today.
I have questioned her many times if the trade shows were worth it . Shes not sure but she continues to keep the business on a circuit of trade shows . Humor me it does , because I cant put figures on it and neither can she , but I cant question her results over all. Her company has stood firm since 911 and that is an accomplishment in the manufacturing field.
Tim Mooney
Edited 3/27/2003 10:33:23 AM ET by Tim Mooney
Yeah, me too, they ask me all the time! Once a month! Sometimes twice a day! Uh, hold on, I think that's them at the door!
They musta found out I know Mike!
Been getting the calls for about 10 yrs now. What's the old line....I'd never join a private club that'd have me for a member?
Recently got another call from one I was tempted to buy though......the national directory of my fraternity. Listed by person..and business. But I just gave my info and told them to send me the prices. Probably won't buy when I see the cost.
LIke Dad always says.....Never take a job that ya have to buy into.....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Publishing schtick. Not really a scam more like a way to get yourself published. Now the who's doin who book you described is a vanity thing but no less vain than the Poetry book one of my kids got us to buy of grade school kid poetry. There they hooked a class. 'See what Johnny did?'
Keeps us from spending the money at the bar. Wish I was young and goofy enough to still believe in that kind of flattery.
Even Michael Criton and John Grissom (sp) had vanity publications made of their first book. 7-10 k to proof / edit it, 25 k to have it published and spread around the world for someone to say you are OK. It worked for them, some people are good enough they can get it published and edited with a retainer and profit. Others pay.
If it isn't advertising it is direct selling. Kind of a unique way to make a market. Even that must be tough now. Considering how much paper we all consume. That must be pretty competitive area.
I don't know if the "WHO'S WHO" is real or what but they probably caught wind of your grand pooh bah rank at breaktime and figured "dang, we should get this dude"
Don't know that I would call it a scam, but it's not far from it.
I actually brought this up here a couple of years back in the WebX days. My oldest Son was offered a position in the "Who's Who" book for Jr. High students. Basically the same deal - They would list you for free, but you had to spend a truckload of money to get a full listing. And they wanted names of Grandparents and other relatives so they could sell them books also.
Someone here referred to is as "vanity publishing".
As Rich pointed out, your potential customers aren't likely to have a copy of this book to refer to. So there's no point in buying into it unless you just want your ego pumped up.
My concern with publications like these is that advertisers will buy them, or at least buy mailing list info from the publisher. Then you get bombarded with email spam, phone solicitors, and unwanted faxes.
Doesn't sound like much of a deal to me.
The perfect lover is one who turns into a pizza at 4:00 a.m. [Charles Pierce]
I've been "invited" several times, but to paraphrase Groucho (I think), I wouldn't want my accomplishments published in a book that thinks my accomplishments are worth publishing.
Be seeing you...
For what it's worth I got an invitation to be listed in the who's who directory way back when I was a drafter making about 22K a year working for someone else. At the time I wasn't "involved in the community" at all.
My grand contribution to society... I responded to an ad and submitted a couple of my literary masterpieces to a "publishing" company. Both of them blew enough smoke up my rear to cook my innerds.
You are listed among the who's who- Your peers here count you as an invaluable resource that would be dearly missed if your time was other wise occupied in endeavors to shmoos the "high society".
Heck Piffin, I admire you so much I've written a poem for you ... I might even see if I can get it published. :-)>
Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
is that the one that's already been published here? The answer is Piffin' in the Wind.
I have been published - not in FHB yet - so there's no additional thrill of first time in this book. I had no intention of cutting them a check for the priviledge But Tim make some good points. I do value the respect of my peers here and elsewhere.
Hey Tim, I'm awfull currious. What is a rubber roller group? My X-rated imagination is working overtime.
LOL.
Excellence is its own reward!
Edited 3/27/2003 7:06:44 PM ET by piffin
"Hey Tim, I'm awfull currious. What is a rubber roller group? My X-rated imagination is working overtime. LOL. "
http://www.rubberrollergroup.com/board.htm
This site does a much better service than I can explain . DW's pic is there too.
Tim Mooney
tim, mighty reassuring having robbi in your corner....Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Im lucky.
Tim Mooney
Who's Who is nothing but fluff vanity pubishing.
Years ago my wife worked as an executive headhunter. Every once in a while she'd work a few college graduate placements. Having the WW on a resume was a hindrance. The professional world laughs at it when it is put on a resume.
It's not considered an accomplishment...it's considered a commodity. You don't earn your way in, you buy your way in. No one should try to justify it as being otherwise.
Save your money as well as the space on the bookcase for next year's run of FHB.
Had a guy who worked for me, was a real idiot... first day he reported to me, he showed me the Who's Who book... at the time I didnt know what to think of it.. then I read the fine print, and it cost him $200.00 to get listed.... the more I worked with him, the more laughable the book became....
I am a computer geek by trade, and he was a offices only computer support person, and yet he couldnt even manage to do a backup correctly. I wrote him up once for insulting a client, and he actually foamed at the mouth.... He called me one time(I was working late in his office, fixing his computers), and he was giggling uncontrollably to himself and informed me that his daughter had just taken a piece of candy, shoved it up someplace we all dont want to think about, and then ate it... he thought it was hilarious, never once tried to stop her....... too bad that company made it sooo hard to fire incompetent people... finally made him do weekly status reports in 15 minute increments, just to get him to quit...
He ruined any thoughts I would have ever had for a Who's Who book... the fact that he was listed just makes a mockery of that system....